What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Crime of the Century
Alex Gibney · Series · 2021
If you loved The Crime of the Century, start with Crisis (Nicholas Jarecki, 2021) — a film on the same thread. Below: 3 books, 1 film and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Crime of the Century across media.
If The Crime of the Century hooked you, it is because you crave deep investigations into the systemic corruption behind the opioid crisis.
Books on the same thread
Dreamland
Sam Quinones · Book · 2015
Shares 2 threads with The Crime of the Century: Opioid Crisis, Drug Addiction.
Just as The Crime of the Century exposes the mechanics of the opioid epidemic, this book expertly links aggressive pharmaceutical marketing tactics to the devastating rise of widespread addiction.
Empire of Pain
Patrick Radden Keefe · Book · 2021
Explores: corporate malfeasance, generational wealth, systemic corruption.
This narrative offers a deeper look at the individuals behind the greed depicted in The Crime of the Century, tracing the Sackler family's direct role in building a fortune from misery.
No More Tears
Gardiner Harris · Book
Shares a thread with The Crime of the Century: corporate greed.
Fans of the corporate accountability focus in The Crime of the Century will value this expose, which mirrors the investigation into how pharmaceutical giants prioritize profit over human safety.
Films on the same thread
Crisis
Nicholas Jarecki · Film · 2021
Shares a thread with The Crime of the Century: Opioid Crisis.
While The Crime of the Century documents the reality of the opioid crisis, this thriller dramatizes the collision of drug trafficking and corporate corruption that fueled the national tragedy.
Podcasts on the same thread
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
If you appreciated the investigative rigor of The Crime of the Century, you will connect with this podcast's commitment to exploring the moral ambiguity and human cost of wrongdoing.
SR PAY - True Crime Documentary
Podcast
Explores: Criminal Justice, Investigation, Real Crime.
If the documentary intensity of The Crime of the Century kept you engaged, this podcast series provides the same investigative atmosphere focused on uncovering the truth behind complex crimes.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary focus of The Crime of the Century?
The Crime of the Century is a documentary that examines the role of pharmaceutical companies, political operatives, and government regulations in the over-production, distribution, and abuse of synthetic opiates. It serves as an indictment of the systems that allowed the opioid crisis to occur.
Is The Crime of the Century a fictional story?
No, The Crime of the Century is a 2021 documentary directed by Alex Gibney. It is a factual investigation into the real-world practices of the pharmaceutical industry and the government oversight failures that contributed to the widespread abuse of synthetic opiates.
Who directed The Crime of the Century?
The Crime of the Century was directed by Alex Gibney. Released in 2021, the documentary focuses on exposing the corporate and political mechanisms that enabled the reckless distribution and subsequent abuse of synthetic opiates across the United States.
Does The Crime of the Century cover the history of synthetic opiates?
Yes, The Crime of the Century details how synthetic opiates were over-produced and distributed. The documentary explores the actions of Big Pharma and the political environment that facilitated this crisis, providing a critical look at the regulations and operatives involved in the process.