What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Alienist
Cary Joji Fukunaga · Series · 2018
If you loved The Alienist, start with The Angel of Darkness (Caleb Carr, 1998) — a book from the same story. Below: 2 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Alienist across media.
If you loved The Alienist, you are clearly drawn to the dark, obsessive pursuit of truth amidst systemic corruption and shadows.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
The Angel of Darkness
Caleb Carr · Book · 1998
Shares 2 threads with The Alienist: Psychological Profiling, Psychological Thriller.
As the direct literary sequel to The Alienist, this novel reunites you with Dr. Laszlo Kreizler to navigate the same haunting psychological profiling and gritty, turn-of-the-century social commentary.
Angel of Darkness
Caleb Carr · Book · 2009
Explores: Criminal Profiling, Gilded Age social stratification, Early forensic science.
Fans of The Alienist will appreciate this return to the Gilded Age, where the focus on early forensic science and criminal profiling mirrors the original investigative intensity of Kreizler.
Films on the same thread
Killers of the Flower Moon
Film · 2023
Explores: Systemic Racism, Greed, Betrayal.
The Alienist explores the rot within society, and this film captures that same feeling of systemic corruption and greed while investigating a series of murders in a historical setting.
The Pale Blue Eye
Scott Cooper · Film · 2022
Explores: Occult Crime, Atmospheric Mystery, Detective and Apprentice.
Just as The Alienist pairs an unlikely team to solve gruesome crimes, this film offers an atmospheric, period-accurate mystery that centers on the methodical investigation of a visceral, occult-tinged murder.
Nightmare Alley
Guillermo del Toro · Film · 2021
Shares a thread with The Alienist: Psychological Thriller.
If the psychological manipulation found in The Alienist kept you captivated, this film provides a similarly dark exploration of moral decay and the dangerous intersection of intellect and criminal intent.
Se7en
David Fincher · Film · 1995
Shares a thread with The Alienist: Psychological Thriller.
This film matches the relentless, dark intensity of The Alienist by focusing on the obsessive hunt for a serial killer and the deep urban decay that defines the investigation.
Podcasts on the same thread
Serial
Podcast
Explores: Crime investigation, In-depth reporting, Mystery.
The investigative rigor of The Alienist finds its modern successor here, where narrative journalism provides the same level of depth and meticulous detail when uncovering complex, real-world criminal mysteries.
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
Those who enjoyed the character-driven mysteries of The Alienist will appreciate this deep dive into social decay and eccentricity, which treats the investigative process as a profound study of human nature.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I read the books in after watching The Alienist?
The Alienist is based on the 1994 novel by Caleb Carr. After finishing the series, you should read the sequel titled The Angel of Darkness, which was published in 1998. These books follow the same core characters investigating criminal cases in late nineteenth-century New York.
Is The Alienist based on a true story or a book?
The Alienist is a television series adapted from a novel. It depicts a fictionalized investigation in 1896 New York led by Theodore Roosevelt, featuring characters like Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, John Moore, and Sara Howard as they work to identify the perpetrator behind a series of murders.
How long is the investigation in The Alienist?
The investigation in The Alienist takes place during the year 1896 in New York City. The plot centers on the collaborative efforts of Theodore Roosevelt, Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, John Moore, and Sara Howard as they track a serial killer targeting male prostitutes within the city.
Should I watch The Alienist before reading The Angel of Darkness?
You should watch The Alienist to understand the introduction of the investigative team. The Angel of Darkness is the second book in the series, continuing the narrative established in the original source material for The Alienist, which focuses on the early work of Dr. Laszlo Kreizler.