If you loved
Redshirts
John Scalzi · Book · 2012
What hooked you in Redshirts was the way it deconstructs the absurdity of institutional roles and the fragile human experience.
Films on the same thread
Interstellar
Christopher Nolan · Film · 2014
Like Redshirts, this film grounds its massive space-faring premise in deep existentialism, forcing you to confront the insignificance of the individual against the vast, indifferent mechanics of the universe.
The Man from Earth
Richard Schenkman · Film · 2007
This dialogue-driven film captures the same intellectual playfulness found in Redshirts, using a singular, mind-bending conversation to dismantle your perception of reality and the weight of historical identity.
Project Hail Mary
Phil Lord · Film · 2026
If the problem-solving intensity of Redshirts appealed to you, you will appreciate how this story forces its protagonist to navigate isolation and scientific crisis with wit and desperate ingenuity.
Star Trek Beyond
Justin Lin · Film · 2016
This film mirrors the camaraderie found in Redshirts, focusing on the loyalty of a crew navigating dangerous, uncharted territory while their standard operating procedures are pushed to the brink.
Series on the same thread
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1987
The source material for your favorite tropes, this series provides the earnest exploration of Federation ideals that Redshirts so effectively parodies, offering a richer context for every meta-joke.
The Orville
Seth MacFarlane · Series · 2017
Sharing the comedic DNA of Redshirts, this series leans into the workplace dynamics of a starship crew, balancing humorous incompetence with the genuine stakes of navigating deep space.
The Expanse
Mark Fergus · Series · 2015
The gritty, systemic corruption explored here provides a darker, more grounded counterpart to the bureaucratic satire of Redshirts, highlighting the dangerous realities of life within an uncaring interstellar machine.
Severance
Dan Erickson · Series · 2022
This show echoes the existential dread of Redshirts by examining how corporate structures dictate the lives of employees, ultimately questioning the nature of identity when you are just a cog.
Podcasts on the same thread
Making Sense with Sam Harris
Sam Harris · Podcast · 2026
If the philosophical underpinnings of Redshirts kept you engaged, this podcast offers a rigorous examination of the ethical dilemmas and rationalist frameworks that define our human experience and societal structures.
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
Just as Redshirts examines the patterns of narrative expendability, this series deconstructs the recurring, often tragic cycles of power and political collapse that define the history of our species.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Redshirts?
Redshirts is a novel by John Scalzi that follows the expendable ensigns on an exploring starship. The story centers on what happens when these crew members begin comparing notes about the dangerous and recurring situations they encounter during their missions.
Who wrote Redshirts?
Redshirts was written by John Scalzi, the author also known for the award-winning novel Old Man's War. It was published in 2012 and explores the lives of minor crew members aboard a starship.
Is Redshirts a standalone novel?
Yes, Redshirts is a novel written by John Scalzi that focuses on the experience of expendable ensigns on a starship. It explores the unique perspective of these crew members as they realize the patterns of their reality.
What happens to the ensigns in Redshirts?
In Redshirts, the expendable ensigns on an exploring starship start comparing notes with one another. This realization leads them to understand their roles within the ship environment and how their experiences differ from the main crew members.