What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Chosen and the Beautiful
Nghi Vo · Book · 2021
If you loved The Chosen and the Beautiful, start with The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald, 2004) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Chosen and the Beautiful across media.
You loved The Chosen and the Beautiful for how it uses lush, atmospheric storytelling to dismantle the rigid power structures of society.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Great Gatsby
Baz Luhrmann · Film · 2013
Films on the same thread
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Olivia Newman · Film · 2026
Explores: Grief and healing, Intergenerational friendship, Hidden secrets.
Like the intricate social layers in The Chosen and the Beautiful, this story uses an unlikely connection to explore how hidden truths can fundamentally reshape an individual's restricted world.
Ne Zha
Jiao Zi · Film · 2019
Explores: Destiny vs. Free Will, Prejudice and Discrimination, Good vs. Evil.
Both this film and The Chosen and the Beautiful center on protagonists defined by their outsider status, struggling to assert their own agency against a society that demands conformity.
The Housemaid
Paul Feig · Film · 2025
Explores: Class Conflict, Gaslighting, Identity Theft.
This thriller mirrors the tense social stratification found in The Chosen and the Beautiful, trapping characters in a high-stakes environment where power dynamics are as dangerous as the secrets.
The Handmaiden
Film · 2016
Explores: Deception, Forbidden Romance, Manipulation.
Much like The Chosen and the Beautiful, this period piece masterfully intertwines forbidden romance with the treacherous manipulation required to survive and subvert an oppressive, elite social order.
Series on the same thread
The OA
Brit Marling · Series · 2016
Explores: Interdimensional Travel, Near-Death Experiences, Faith Healing.
The Chosen and the Beautiful uses magical realism to challenge perceptions of reality, a trait shared by this series as it questions the nature of belief and personal history.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Moon Ji-won · Series · 2022
Explores: Autism representation, Acceptance, Overcoming prejudice.
This narrative echoes the immigrant and outsider experience of The Chosen and the Beautiful, focusing on the necessity of building an authentic identity within a judgmental, conventional world.
Heated Rivalry
Jacob Tierney · Series · 2025
Explores: Rivalry, Forbidden Love, Career Ambition.
Just as The Chosen and the Beautiful explores the tension of living behind a facade, this romance examines the personal cost of maintaining a secret life under public scrutiny.
Bridgerton
Chris Van Dusen · Series · 2020
Explores: Forbidden Love, Social Class, Family Secrets.
Fans of the lavish yet stifling social circles in The Chosen and the Beautiful will appreciate this exploration of how personal desire constantly threatens the rigid marriage market.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
If the sociopolitical critique in The Chosen and the Beautiful resonated with you, this podcast provides a sharp analysis of the shifting institutions that define our modern American experience.
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
This documentary series deepens your understanding of the historical and systemic forces that Nghi Vo critiques in The Chosen and the Beautiful, grounding the narrative in foundational reality.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Chosen and the Beautiful a direct adaptation of The Great Gatsby?
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo is a reimagining of The Great Gatsby. While it draws from the narrative world of the original 1925 novel, it introduces new magical and fantastical elements that distinguish it from the 2004 book edition and the 2013 film adaptation.
Should I read The Great Gatsby before starting The Chosen and the Beautiful?
Reading The Great Gatsby before The Chosen and the Beautiful is helpful for understanding the source material. Nghi Vo utilizes the established setting and characters of the original story to build her unique narrative, making familiarity with the classic text useful for identifying the author's specific creative departures.
Is The Chosen and the Beautiful considered a bestseller?
Yes, The Chosen and the Beautiful is an instant national bestseller. Following its 2021 release, the book received significant critical recognition, appearing on numerous best-of-summer lists from major outlets including TIME Magazine, CNN, NBC News, and CBS News, as well as several prominent literary publications.
How was The Chosen and the Beautiful received by critics?
The Chosen and the Beautiful was widely acclaimed as a best-of-summer pick by various organizations such as Lambda Literary, Book Riot, and The Daily Beast. It also achieved status as an Indie Next Pick, reflecting strong support from independent booksellers and positive reception across multiple national media platforms.