What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Outsider
Richard Price · Series · 2020
If you loved The Outsider, start with The Outsider (Maisey Yates) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Outsider across media.
What hooked you in The Outsider was the unsettling intersection where ordinary small-town investigations collide with deep-seated, inexplicable shadows.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
Holly
Stephen King · Book · 2023
Explores: missing persons, elderly sociopaths, investigative process.
If you appreciated the investigative rigors of The Outsider, you will find this deep dive into dark secrets and sociopathic threats an essential continuation of that methodical pursuit.
Sharp Objects
Gillian Flynn · Book · 2018
Shares 2 threads with The Outsider: Small Town Secrets, Psychological Thriller.
Much like the atmosphere of The Outsider, this story explores the trauma hidden beneath a small town's surface, forcing you to confront the darkness lurking behind familiar facades.
The Hunter
Tana French · Book
Explores: Outsider status, Protecting family, Hidden pasts.
Fans of the outsider status and investigative tension found in The Outsider will recognize the same creeping sense of dread as a past life threatens the present.
The Institute
Stephen King · Book · 2019
Shares a thread with The Outsider: Psychological Thriller.
This narrative mirrors the supernatural stakes of The Outsider, pitting vulnerable individuals against an insidious, organized evil that challenges their perception of a safe reality.
Films on the same thread
It
Andy Muschietti · Film · 2017
Shares 2 threads with The Outsider: Small Town Secrets, Good vs Evil.
The Outsider expertly blurred the line between crime and nightmare, a sensation you will encounter again as childhood trauma manifests as a terrifying force in this small town.
Se7en
David Fincher · Film · 1995
Shares 2 threads with The Outsider: Good vs Evil, Psychological Thriller.
If the grim, relentless pursuit of a killer in The Outsider resonated with you, this neo-noir masterclass offers a similarly bleak exploration of human depravity and moral decay.
Mystic River
Clint Eastwood · Film · 2003
Shares a thread with The Outsider: Psychological Thriller.
Just as The Outsider examines how a single tragedy shatters a community, this film delves into the lingering, destructive power of childhood trauma and the weight of secrets.
The Batman
Matt Reeves · Film · 2022
Shares a thread with The Outsider: Psychological Thriller.
The Outsider masters the dark detective procedural, a tone you will find echoed here as a city's deep-rooted corruption intersects with a haunting, personal investigation of evil.
Podcasts on the same thread
CounterClock
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2025
Explores: unsolved homicide, seeking justice, historical mystery.
If you were drawn to the investigative process in The Outsider, this podcast provides an authentic, gripping look at the reality of unearthing long-buried truths in cold cases.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
Those who enjoyed the small-town setting of The Outsider will appreciate this analytical look at how provincial life serves as the backdrop for complex, tragic criminal investigations.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Outsider based on a book?
Yes, the 2020 television series The Outsider is an adaptation of the novel titled The Outsider. Both versions follow a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator as they uncover a supernatural force behind a gruesome murder case that initially appears to be a straightforward investigation.
Should I watch The Outsider before reading the book?
You can consume either version of The Outsider first. Both the 2020 television series and the original book detail the same investigation into the murder of a young boy, where a supernatural force leads the protagonists to question their beliefs throughout the narrative.
What is the main plot of The Outsider?
The Outsider follows a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator who are tasked with solving the gruesome murder of a young boy. During their investigation, they discover that an insidious supernatural force is involved, which forces them to question everything they believe in regarding the case.
Does The Outsider involve supernatural elements?
Yes, the plot of The Outsider centers on an insidious supernatural force that infiltrates a seemingly straightforward murder investigation. This element is central to the story, as it challenges the seasoned cop and the unorthodox investigator to reconsider their understanding of the crime and reality itself.