What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Perfection
Richard Shepard · Film · 2018
If you loved The Perfection, start with Sharp Objects (Marti Noxon, 2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Perfection across media.
If you loved The Perfection, you will be drawn to these stories that navigate the dark intersection of trauma, obsession, and manipulation.
Books on the same thread
Sharp Objects
Gillian Flynn · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with The Perfection: Trauma.
Much like the unsettling psychological landscape of The Perfection, this narrative forces you to confront the corrosive nature of deep-seated trauma and the secrets hiding within dysfunctional relationships.
The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins · Book · 2015
Shares a thread with The Perfection: Gaslighting.
The Perfection relies on the fragility of perception, a theme mirrored here as you navigate the unreliable perspective of a narrator struggling with memory loss and dark domestic secrets.
Trust Exercise
Susan Choi · Book · 2019
Shares a thread with The Perfection: Gaslighting.
This novel explores the intense power dynamics and artistic obsession found in The Perfection, challenging your understanding of reality through a complex, meta-fictional look at education and subjectivity.
Perfume (Das Parfum)
Patrick Süskind · Book · 1985
Explores: Obsession, Sensory Deprivation, Social Isolation.
The Perfection highlights the terrifying costs of talent, a sentiment echoed in this story of a genius whose obsessive pursuit of sensory perfection leads to a path of moral ruin.
Series on the same thread
Sharp Objects
Marti Noxon · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with The Perfection: Trauma.
If the psychological unraveling in The Perfection kept you watching, you will appreciate how this series meticulously peels back the layers of a troubled protagonist grappling with haunting family trauma.
Killing Eve
Phoebe Waller-Bridge · Series · 2018
Explores: Female obsession, Cat and mouse game, Gender roles subversion.
The Perfection thrives on the volatile push and pull between two women, a dynamic that drives this gripping series as two rivals become locked in an increasingly dangerous, obsessive game.
Severance
Dan Erickson · Series · 2022
Explores: Identity Crisis, Existentialism, Memory Manipulation.
Just as The Perfection uses psychological manipulation to disorient, this series traps you in a corporate environment where memory fragmentation and identity crises reveal the terrifying reality of control.
The Queen's Gambit
Scott Frank · Series · 2020
Explores: Chess, Addiction, Orphan.
The Perfection captures the intensity of a musical prodigy, and this series similarly examines the isolating, all-consuming nature of genius when paired with the heavy burden of addiction and ambition.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
The Perfection excels at creating a sense of dread through short, impactful narrative beats, and this podcast captures that same cinematic intensity through its experimental, morally ambiguous audio storytelling.
Baking A Murder
Podcast
Explores: Guilty Pleasures, Morbid Curiosity, Criminal Psychology.
If the dark thrills of The Perfection appealed to your morbid curiosity, this podcast serves as the perfect companion by diving deep into the psychology behind the horror you crave.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Perfection a movie about music?
Yes, The Perfection is a 2018 film directed by Richard Shepard that focuses on two musical prodigies. The plot follows Charlotte as she seeks out Elizabeth, a star pupil from her former school, leading them both into a sinister path with shocking consequences.
What is the plot of The Perfection?
The Perfection centers on a troubled musical prodigy named Charlotte who tracks down Elizabeth, the new star pupil at her former school. Their meeting initiates a dark sequence of events that sends both musicians down a sinister path filled with shocking consequences.
Who directed The Perfection?
The Perfection was directed by Richard Shepard. Released in 2018, this film follows the story of two musical prodigies, Charlotte and Elizabeth, whose encounter at a former school leads to a series of sinister events and shocking consequences for both characters.
When was The Perfection released?
The Perfection was released in 2018. Directed by Richard Shepard, the film tells the story of musical prodigy Charlotte and her encounter with Elizabeth, a star pupil from her former school, which ultimately leads them down a sinister path with shocking consequences.