If you loved
The Name of the Rose
Umberto Eco · Book · 1984
If The Name of the Rose hooked you, it is because you crave stories where labyrinthine secrets and intellectual investigation collide.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Name of the Rose
Jean-Jacques Annaud · Film · 1986
Films on the same thread
Call Me by Your Name
Film · 2017
Explores: First love, Self-discovery, Summer romance.
Like the intellectual awakening in The Name of the Rose, this story captures a transformative period of discovery where the setting itself acts as a catalyst for profound personal change.
Conclave
Edward Berger · Film · 2024
Explores: Power Struggle, Religious Conspiracy, Succession.
This film mirrors the cloistered power struggles of The Name of the Rose, placing you inside a high-stakes religious environment where secrets and corruption define the search for truth.
The Ninth Gate
Roman Polanski · Film · 1999
Explores: Demonic Possession, Ancient Texts, Moral Ambiguity.
Fans of the bibliophilic obsession found in The Name of the Rose will appreciate this dive into ancient texts, where a detective uncovers dangerous truths hidden within rare, cursed volumes.
Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino · Film · 1994
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Redemption, Fate.
While the setting differs from The Name of the Rose, you will recognize the same sharp philosophical undercurrents and moral ambiguity that force characters to navigate a complex, intersecting world.
Series on the same thread
True Detective
Nic Pizzolatto · Series · 2014
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Existentialism, Corruption.
This series captures the investigative intensity of The Name of the Rose, using a dark, atmospheric mystery to peel back the layers of systemic corruption and hidden personal secrets.
Twin Peaks
Mark Frost · Series · 1990
Explores: Small Town Secrets, Doppelgangers, Good vs Evil.
Much like the unsettling investigation in The Name of the Rose, this mystery pulls you into a strange, isolated community where every discovery reveals a deeper, more existential dread.
IT: Welcome to Derry
Andy Muschietti · Series · 2025
Explores: Childhood Trauma, Ancient Evil, Group of Friends.
If you enjoyed the way The Name of the Rose explores ancient evils within a secluded setting, you will be drawn to this investigation into a long-buried, lurking threat.
The Night Of
Richard Price · Series · 2016
Explores: Wrongful Accusation, Criminal Justice System, Moral Ambiguity.
The relentless pressure of the investigation in The Name of the Rose is mirrored here, as you follow a man trapped in a system where truth is obscured by circumstance.
Podcasts on the same thread
Bag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
Explores: corruption, political scandal, accountability.
Similar to the political and religious conspiracies in The Name of the Rose, this podcast examines how systemic failure and hidden agendas shape the course of powerful, high-stakes history.
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
The curiosity-driven exploration found in The Name of the Rose finds a modern home here, offering you obscure historical mysteries that reward a sharp, inquisitive mind focused on discovery.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Name of the Rose based on a book?
Yes, The Name of the Rose is based on the 1984 novel written by Umberto Eco. The story follows Brother William of Baskerville as he investigates a series of mysterious deaths occurring at an Italian abbey in 1327 while navigating suspicions of heresy among the Franciscans.
What is the plot of The Name of the Rose?
Set in 1327, the narrative follows Brother William of Baskerville as he arrives at a wealthy Italian abbey to investigate heresy. His mission is complicated by seven bizarre deaths that occur within seven days, forcing him to act as a detective to solve the crimes.
When was the movie adaptation of The Name of the Rose released?
The film adaptation of The Name of the Rose was released in 1986. It depicts the events of the 1984 book, focusing on the investigation led by Brother William of Baskerville into the series of suspicious deaths occurring at an Italian abbey during the fourteenth century.
Does The Name of the Rose feature a mystery plot?
Yes, The Name of the Rose features a mystery plot where Brother William of Baskerville must solve seven bizarre deaths that take place over seven days. The investigation occurs against the backdrop of a 1327 mission to address suspicions of heresy within a wealthy Italian abbey.