If you loved
Shrinking
Brett Goldstein · Series · 2023
If you loved Shrinking, you likely appreciate how messy, heartfelt stories navigate the complex intersection of grief and human connection.
Books on the same thread
The Goldfinch
Donna Tartt · Book · 2013
Shares a thread with Shrinking: found family.
Like the characters in Shrinking, the protagonist here experiences the profound weight of sudden loss, using a deep, psychological journey to find healing through an unexpected found family.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Shelby Van Pelt · Book · 2022
Explores: Octopus intelligence, Grief and loss, Intergenerational relationships.
Just as Shrinking explores the isolation of bereavement, this story examines the quiet, daily resilience required to process long-term grief while building meaningful, intergenerational bonds in a small town.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Shelby Van Pelt · Book · 2022
Explores: unlikely friendships, grief recovery, intergenerational connection.
Fans of the emotional honesty in Shrinking will value this narrative, which mirrors the show's focus on recovering from profound loss through the power of unlikely, supportive friendships.
Just for the Summer
Abby Jimenez · Book · 2024
Explores: Fate, Superstition, Family Relationships.
This story captures the same spirit of unconventional relationships found in Shrinking, proving that even when life feels chaotic, humor and vulnerability can lead to genuine human connection.
Films on the same thread
A Man Called Otto
Marc Forster · Film · 2022
Explores: Grief and Loss, Intergenerational Friendship, Finding Purpose.
If you enjoyed the way Shrinking centers on a grumpy widower finding new purpose, you will appreciate how this film uses intergenerational friendship to gently thaw a broken heart.
Fatherhood
Paul Weitz · Film · 2021
Shares a thread with Shrinking: Grief.
This film reflects the raw parenting struggles seen in Shrinking, focusing on the difficult transition of a widowed father learning to navigate grief while raising his young daughter alone.
The Whale
Darren Aronofsky · Film · 2022
Explores: Redemption, Estrangement, Obesity.
Much like the internal conflicts explored in Shrinking, this character study dives into the painful process of seeking redemption and attempting to repair estranged relationships following a personal tragedy.
A Good Person
Film · 2023
Shares a thread with Shrinking: Dark Comedy.
This film mirrors the dark comedy and emotional honesty of Shrinking, highlighting how two people suffering from their own past mistakes can form an unlikely, life-affirming, and supportive bond.
Podcasts on the same thread
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
Explores: domestic life, modern marriage, parenthood struggles.
For those who appreciated the candid, unfiltered conversations in Shrinking, this podcast offers a similar look at the daily absurdities and genuine struggles inherent in modern marriage and parenting.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
If the therapeutic, conversational humor of Shrinking resonated with you, you will enjoy this podcast’s blend of professional intimacy and self-deprecating wit used to explore the nature of friendship.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Shrinking about a therapist struggling with grief?
Yes, Shrinking follows Jimmy, a therapist who is navigating the loss of his wife while balancing his roles as a father, friend, and professional. The series explores his decision to implement a new, brutally honest approach with the people in his life.
Does Shrinking feature a therapist who uses brutal honesty?
Yes, the premise of Shrinking centers on Jimmy, a therapist who decides to adopt a method of unfiltered, brutal honesty with everyone he encounters. This approach is the primary catalyst for the chaos and developments that occur throughout the series.
What is the main conflict in Shrinking?
The main conflict in Shrinking involves Jimmy attempting to process the death of his wife while managing his responsibilities as a father and a therapist. His choice to start speaking with brutal honesty creates significant tension and uproarious chaos in his personal and professional relationships.
Is Shrinking a show about a father grieving his wife?
Yes, Shrinking focuses on Jimmy as he struggles to grieve the loss of his wife. He must simultaneously navigate his duties as a parent and a therapist, which leads him to experiment with a new, unfiltered way of interacting with the people around him.