What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne · Book · 1950
If you loved The Scarlet Letter, start with The Scarlet Letter (Roland Joffé, 1995) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Scarlet Letter across media.
If you loved The Scarlet Letter, you will appreciate how these stories examine the tension between private morality and public judgment.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Scarlet Letter
Roland Joffé · Film · 1995
Films on the same thread
Notorious
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1946
Shares a thread with The Scarlet Letter: Redemption.
Like the protagonists in The Scarlet Letter, Alicia Huberman faces impossible moral dilemmas where her personal desires must be sacrificed to navigate a landscape of crushing public scrutiny.
Rebecca
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1940
Explores: jealousy, obsession, secrets.
Much like the psychological isolation found in The Scarlet Letter, this film captures the suffocating weight of living under the shadow of a reputation that refuses to die.
Vertigo
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1958
Explores: Obsession, Identity, Acrophobia.
The obsession and deep-seated guilt defining this mystery mirror the internal torment Hester Prynne experiences, proving that the past is never truly buried in these complex character studies.
Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1960
Explores: Mother-Son Relationship, Hidden Identity, Doppelganger.
The dark exploration of hidden identities and voyeurism in this film echoes the themes of hypocrisy and secret shame that permeate the pages of The Scarlet Letter.
Series on the same thread
The Handmaid's Tale
Bruce Miller · Series · 2017
Explores: Oppression, Totalitarianism, Religious Extremism.
This dystopian narrative echoes the religious extremism and rigid social control seen in The Scarlet Letter, forcing a woman to find agency within a system designed for her repression.
The Good Wife
Michelle King · Series · 2009
Shares a thread with The Scarlet Letter: Redemption.
Alicia Florrick’s struggle to reclaim her life after a public scandal mirrors Hester Prynne’s journey, focusing on the resilience required to survive while the world watches and judges.
Perry Mason
Erle Stanley Gardner · Series · 1957
Explores: Innocence vs. Guilt, Justice, Moral Ambiguity.
This legal drama highlights the tension between innocence and guilt, reflecting the same preoccupation with moral ambiguity and societal justice found throughout The Scarlet Letter.
Bridgerton
Chris Van Dusen · Series · 2020
Explores: Forbidden Love, Social Class, Family Secrets.
The intricate dance of social class and forbidden love in these stories parallels the rigid conventions that Hester Prynne must challenge to maintain her sense of self.
Podcasts on the same thread
Letters from an American
Podcast · 2026
Explores: American political history, civic engagement, contextual journalism.
For those interested in the historical roots of American hypocrisy, these commentaries provide the context needed to understand the foundations of the society depicted in The Scarlet Letter.
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
The examination of small-town isolation and social decay offers a modern parallel to the insular, judgmental community that defines the setting of The Scarlet Letter.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne a foundational work of American literature?
Yes, The Scarlet Letter is considered a foundational work of American literature. First published in 1850, it explores themes of adultery, guilt, and social repression within the setting of Puritan New England through the story of Hester Prynne.
What themes does The Scarlet Letter explore?
The Scarlet Letter explores the dichotomy between the public and private self, as well as the tension between internal passion and external convention. It depicts the stark reality of social repression in Puritan New England and the strength required to face ostracism.
Is the 1995 movie based on The Scarlet Letter?
Yes, the 1995 movie is an adaptation of the 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The film depicts the same allegorical tale of Hester Prynne and her experiences with guilt and social judgment in a Puritan community.
Does The Scarlet Letter focus on the character Hester Prynne?
Yes, The Scarlet Letter centers on the unforgettable character Hester Prynne. The narrative follows her journey as she discovers personal strength while facing the consequences of adultery and the intense ostracism imposed by the strict social conventions of her Puritan society.