What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Other Side of Hope
Aki Kaurismäki · Film · 2017
If you loved The Other Side of Hope, start with Mo (Mo Amer, 2022) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Other Side of Hope across media.
You appreciated how The Other Side of Hope balances quiet social isolation with the sudden, transformative power of unexpected human connection.
Books on the same thread
A Man Called Ove: A Novel
Fredrik Backman · Book · 2016
Explores: Grumbling protagonist, Unexpected friendship, Redemption.
Much like the protagonist in The Other Side of Hope, Ove finds his rigid, isolated world interrupted by an outsider, sparking a journey toward redemption through unlikely companionship.
A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman · Book
Explores: found family, grief and loss, grumpy-to-sunshine.
Similar to the central relationship in The Other Side of Hope, this story reveals how a gruff, guarded exterior can hide the profound capacity for community and kindness.
The Plague
Albert Camus · Book · 1991
Shares a thread with The Other Side of Hope: Hope.
If the somber, existential undercurrents of The Other Side of Hope resonated with you, this novel provides a deeper exploration of human resilience during times of collective despair.
Exile and the Kingdom
Albert Camus · Book · 2006
Explores: Alienation, Isolation, Meaninglessness.
These stories mirror the focus on alienation found in The Other Side of Hope, capturing individuals navigating the absurd and revelatory moments that define their human experience.
Series on the same thread
After Life
Ricky Gervais · Series · 2019
Explores: Grief, Existentialism, Cynicism.
This series echoes the dark, dry humor present in The Other Side of Hope, focusing on how a broken individual gradually finds meaning through new, unconventional social bonds.
Mo
Mo Amer · Series · 2022
Explores: Cultural Identity, Asylum Seeking, Family Obligations.
This narrative mirrors the refugee experience highlighted in The Other Side of Hope, grounding the struggle of seeking asylum within a deeply personal and often humorous family story.
Derek
Ricky Gervais · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with The Other Side of Hope: Kindness.
Just as the characters in The Other Side of Hope find purpose in helping others, this show celebrates the profound impact of kindness from those living on society's margins.
It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Park Shin-woo · Series · 2020
Explores: healing through love, emotional baggage, found family.
The bond formed between the leads mirrors the healing connection in The Other Side of Hope, proving that shared emotional baggage can be the foundation for found family.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
These cinematic audio stories capture the same blend of humor and moral ambiguity that makes The Other Side of Hope a compelling look at the human condition.
THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
ADAM BUXTON · Podcast
Explores: east anglia, family life, dog ownership.
These conversations capture the same tonal shift between lighthearted humor and serious reflection that defines the atmosphere of The Other Side of Hope throughout its runtime.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Other Side of Hope a film about the Syrian refugee experience?
Yes, The Other Side of Hope focuses on the journey of a Syrian refugee who arrives in Finland and forms an unexpected friendship with a local restaurateur. The narrative explores their connection as they navigate the challenges of his new life in a foreign country.
Does The Other Side of Hope take place in Finland?
The Other Side of Hope is set in Finland. The story follows a Syrian refugee who reaches the country and encounters a restaurateur, beginning a relationship that serves as the central plot of this 2017 film directed by Aki Kaurismäki.
What is the primary relationship in The Other Side of Hope?
The primary relationship in The Other Side of Hope is between a Syrian refugee and a Finnish restaurateur. After the refugee arrives in the country, the two characters befriend one another, creating the core dynamic that drives the plot of the film.
Who directed the 2017 film The Other Side of Hope?
The Other Side of Hope was directed by Aki Kaurismäki. Released in 2017, the film depicts the intersection of two lives in Finland when a local restaurateur decides to befriend a Syrian refugee who has recently arrived in the country.