What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSerpico
Sidney Lumet · Film · 1973
If you loved Serpico, start with Joker (Todd Phillips, 2019) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Serpico across media.
If Serpico gripped you, it is because you are drawn to stories where individuals challenge pervasive, soul-crushing institutional rot.
Start with the source
Inspired by
Joker
Todd Phillips · Film · 2019
Books on the same thread
The Power Broker
Robert A. Caro · Book · 1975
Explores: Power Dynamics, Urban Development, Political Influence.
Like the systemic corruption Serpico fought, this biography exposes how power is consolidated and abused, showing the immense weight one man can exert over the infrastructure of a city.
Crook Manifesto
Colson Whitehead · Book
Explores: systemic corruption, 1970s urban decay, criminal underworld.
This narrative mirrors the 1970s urban decay and criminal underworld found in Serpico, capturing the same feeling of an honest man navigating a landscape defined by rampant systemic corruption.
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories
Dr. Seuss · Book · 1958
Explores: Power and Corruption, Social Hierarchy, Rebellion.
While seemingly simple, this story echoes the core conflict of Serpico by exploring the tension between unchecked power and the moral integrity required to challenge an established social hierarchy.
Accidental Death of an Anarchist
Dario Fo, Gavin Richards · Book · 1987
Explores: Police Corruption, Abuse of Power, Political Conspiracy.
This play shares the sharp critique of police corruption and systemic abuse that drives Serpico, using dark satire to expose the same institutional failures that isolated Frank in reality.
Series on the same thread
The Wire
David Simon · Series · 2002
Explores: Systemic Corruption, Moral Ambiguity, Urban Decay.
If you admired the struggle against bureaucracy in Serpico, this series provides a deeper, more expansive look at how systemic corruption sustains itself within the framework of law enforcement.
Hill Street Blues
Steven Bochco · Series · 1981
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Bureaucracy, Urban decay.
This series captures the same moral ambiguity and gritty atmosphere of police work seen in Serpico, focusing on the internal pressures of a department grappling with daily institutional challenges.
NYPD Blue
David Milch · Series · 1993
Explores: Internal Affairs, Moral Ambiguity, Partnership.
This drama delves into the internal affairs and personal struggles of officers in a way that recalls the intense isolation and professional scrutiny faced by the protagonist of Serpico.
Line of Duty
Jed Mercurio · Series · 2012
Shares a thread with Serpico: Institutional Corruption.
Centering on the pursuit of corrupt officers, this show directly mirrors the anticorruption crusade in Serpico, illustrating the difficulty of maintaining moral integrity while investigating your own institutional peers.
Podcasts on the same thread
Moose on the Loose
Podcast
Explores: political corruption, government scandals, Canadian identity.
Much like Frank Serpico’s whistleblowing efforts, this podcast highlights the necessity of individual courage when exposing the entrenched scandals and corruption that often hide within the halls of power.
Swindled
Podcast
Explores: Corporate Crime, Financial Crime, Fraud.
This podcast explores the same themes of greed and systemic dishonesty found in Serpico, shifting the focus from street-level policing to the pervasive nature of corruption in corporate structures.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Serpico based on a true story?
Yes, Serpico is a 1973 film directed by Sidney Lumet that depicts the true story of Frank Serpico, a New York police officer who exposes systemic corruption within the force and faces severe retaliation from his colleagues for his whistleblowing actions.
Does Joker have a similar tone to Serpico?
Both Joker and Serpico explore themes of an individual alienated by a corrupt and indifferent society. While they feature different settings and plots, viewers who appreciate the intense character study and gritty atmosphere found in Serpico often find the narrative style of Joker compelling.
What is the main conflict in the movie Serpico?
The primary conflict in Serpico centers on the titular character, Frank Serpico, as he attempts to blow the whistle on rampant corruption within the New York police force. This leads to a dangerous situation where his fellow officers turn against him for his integrity.
Who directed the 1973 film Serpico?
The 1973 film Serpico was directed by Sidney Lumet. The movie focuses on the experiences of Frank Serpico, a New York cop who faces isolation and danger after exposing the widespread corruption occurring among his peers within the department.