What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Contractor
Film · 2022
If you loved The Contractor, start with The Terminal List (David DiGilio, 2022) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Contractor across media.
If you enjoyed the harrowing survival of The Contractor, these selections capture that same desperate struggle of a veteran navigating dangerous, high-stakes conspiracies.
Books on the same thread
The Secret
Lee Child and Andrew Child · Book
Explores: lone wolf protagonist, covert operations, government cover-up.
Much like the protagonist of The Contractor, Jack Reacher operates as a lone wolf, navigating complex conspiracies that mirror the isolation and high-stakes survival found in your favorite film.
Cry Havoc
Jack Carr · Book
Shares a thread with The Contractor: military thriller.
Fans of The Contractor will recognize the grim reality of wartime survival here, as Tom Reece faces the same moral ambiguity and dangerous, unofficial missions that defined James Harper’s journey.
The Whole Truth
David Baldacci · Book
Shares a thread with The Contractor: political thriller.
The Contractor explores the dark side of private military entities, and this novel dives deeper into that world, pitting characters against the same corrupt systems that betrayed James Harper.
The Terminal List
Jack Carr · Book
Shares 2 threads with The Contractor: conspiracy, military thriller.
If the betrayal in The Contractor left you wanting more, this story delivers a similarly intense exploration of a veteran pushed to the edge by powerful, shadowy enemies.
Series on the same thread
The Terminal List
David DiGilio · Series · 2022
Shares 2 threads with The Contractor: Betrayal, Military Thriller.
This series mirrors the themes of betrayal and military fallout seen in The Contractor, focusing on a soldier who must rely on his training to survive after being cast aside.
Shooter
John Hlavin · Series · 2016
Explores: Framed Protagonist, Political Intrigue, Redemption.
The Contractor highlights the struggle of a man fighting to clear his name, a core tension that drives this series as Bob Lee Swagger navigates a complex government conspiracy.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Rest Is Classified
Podcast
Explores: Cold War, Intelligence agencies, Covert operations.
While The Contractor is a fictional look at covert operations, this podcast provides an authentic, gripping perspective on the real-world intelligence struggles that underpin stories of modern espionage.
Cleared Hot
Podcast
Explores: military life, personal growth, overcoming fear.
The Contractor centers on the difficult veteran experience, and this podcast offers a genuine look at the military life and personal growth that shape soldiers beyond their operational service.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Contractor based on a true story?
The Contractor is a 2022 film following a fictional narrative about a discharged U.S. Special Forces soldier. The plot centers on James Harper joining a private contracting organization and fighting to return home after a covert mission goes wrong, rather than documenting historical events.
Why was James Harper discharged in The Contractor?
In The Contractor, James Harper is involuntarily discharged from the U.S. Special Forces. Following this career change, he chooses to support his family by joining a private contracting organization, which leads him to undertake a dangerous covert mission overseas.
What is the primary conflict in The Contractor?
The primary conflict in The Contractor occurs when James Harper is sent on a covert mission overseas. After the mission is compromised, he must evade individuals attempting to kill him while simultaneously navigating the difficult journey back home to his family.
Does James Harper work alone in The Contractor?
No, James Harper does not work alone in The Contractor. He joins a private contracting organization alongside his best friend. The team operates under the command of a fellow veteran while they are stationed overseas on their covert assignment.