What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Family
Ed Sanders · Book · 2023
If you loved The Family, start with Helter Skelter (1976) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 1 series and 1 podcast, each matched to The Family across media.
If The Family hooked you, it is because you are fascinated by the brutal collision between idealistic counterculture dreams and horrific, systemic violence.
Films on the same thread
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Tobe Hooper · Film · 1974
Shares 2 threads with The Family: Social Commentary, Loss of Innocence.
Just as The Family explores the loss of innocence in 1969, this film captures the same terrifying descent into madness when an idyllic road trip turns into a gruesome, visceral nightmare.
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
Film · 2019
Explores: Hollywood Golden Age, Changing Industry, Friendship.
This film provides a stylistic companion piece to The Family, juxtaposing the fading glamour of 1969 Hollywood against the encroaching shadow of the Manson cult and its inevitable, tragic violence.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Film · 2023
Explores: Systemic Racism, Greed, Betrayal.
Much like The Family uncovers the dark underbelly of the Love Generation, this narrative exposes the chilling greed and betrayal hidden beneath the surface of a rapidly changing American landscape.
The Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1972
Shares a thread with The Family: Violence.
While The Family details the internal dynamics of a murderous cult, this saga examines the rigid structures of power and loyalty that define a different, more organized criminal operation.
Series on the same thread
Helter Skelter
Series · 1976
Shares 3 threads with The Family: Cults, Counterculture, Loss of Innocence.
This production serves as the essential visual document of the crimes detailed in The Family, focusing on the legal aftermath and the social decay that allowed Manson to exert control.
Podcasts on the same thread
You Must Remember Manson
Karina Longworth · Podcast · 2022
If the historical context of The Family captivated you, this podcast series offers a deep, investigative look into how the Manson murders permanently altered the culture of 1969 Los Angeles.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Family considered an authoritative account of Charles Manson?
Yes, The Family is recognized by the New York Times Book Review as the first complete and authoritative account of the career of Charles Manson, detailing the events surrounding the murders committed by his communal family during the summer of 1969.
What time period does The Family cover regarding the Manson murders?
The Family focuses on the events of August 1969. It describes the two evenings of paranoid, psychedelic savagery where Charles Manson and his followers murdered at least nine people, effectively ending the era of the Love Generation.
Does The Family provide details about the victims of the Manson murders?
Yes, The Family documents the tragic events of August 1969, noting that at least nine people were murdered during the spree. Among those specifically mentioned as victims in the book is the young, beautiful, and pregnant actress Sharon Tate.
How is the tone of The Family described in reviews?
The New York Times Book Review describes The Family as a terrifying book. It provides a detailed account of the dystopic communal group led by Charles Manson and examines the violent impact they had on the dreams of the Love Generation.