What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Shape of Water
Andrea Camilleri · Book · 2002
If you loved The Shape of Water, start with Gomorrah (Roberto Saviano, 2014) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Shape of Water across media.
You connected with The Shape of Water because of the way systemic corruption hides beneath the surface of small communities.
Films on the same thread
Chinatown
Roman Polanski · Film · 1974
Shares 2 threads with The Shape of Water: Corruption, Moral Ambiguity.
Like The Shape of Water, this film reveals how deep-seated moral ambiguity and corruption allow powerful individuals to escape justice while local investigations uncover unsettling truths about society.
On the Waterfront
Film · 1954
Explores: Labor Corruption, Moral Redemption, Whistleblower.
If you appreciated the focus on corruption in The Shape of Water, you will find this struggle against institutional rot and moral compromise equally compelling and deeply grounded.
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
Film · 1970
Shares a thread with The Shape of Water: Moral Ambiguity.
This film mirrors the moral ambiguity found in The Shape of Water by examining how political corruption and abuse of power challenge the integrity of those enforcing the law.
Touch of Evil
Orson Welles · Film · 1958
Shares a thread with The Shape of Water: Moral Ambiguity.
The Shape of Water fans will recognize the familiar tension of a police investigation hindered by systemic corruption and the blurred lines between justice and personal revenge.
Series on the same thread
Gomorrah
Roberto Saviano · Series · 2014
Shares a thread with The Shape of Water: moral ambiguity.
This gritty drama shares the focus on power struggles and institutional corruption that defined The Shape of Water, offering an intense look at how criminal organizations shape local culture.
Twin Peaks
Mark Frost · Series · 1990
Shares a thread with The Shape of Water: Small Town Secrets.
Much like the setting of The Shape of Water, this series uses the discovery of a body to peel back the dark secrets hidden within a small, insular town.
True Detective
Nic Pizzolatto · Series · 2014
Shares 3 threads with The Shape of Water: Moral Ambiguity, Corruption, Detective Fiction.
This series captures the same atmosphere of moral ambiguity and systemic corruption that made The Shape of Water such a compelling exploration of personal and professional secrets.
The Wire
David Simon · Series · 2002
Shares 2 threads with The Shape of Water: Moral Ambiguity, Police Procedural.
The Shape of Water highlights the difficulty of finding truth in a corrupt environment, a theme this series explores through its intricate look at bureaucracy and urban decay.
Podcasts on the same thread
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
If you enjoyed how The Shape of Water examined the dark underbelly of a small town, you will appreciate this deep dive into the secrets of provincial life.
CounterClock
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2025
Explores: unsolved homicide, seeking justice, historical mystery.
Like the detective work in The Shape of Water, this podcast focuses on the persistence required to uncover the truth behind a mysterious and long-buried homicide case.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of The Shape of Water?
The Shape of Water follows the Sicilian detective Inspector Montalbano. He is tasked with investigating the suspicious death of a local engineer who had established a reputation for himself within the small town where he lived.
Who is the main character in The Shape of Water?
The primary protagonist in The Shape of Water is Inspector Montalbano. As a Sicilian detective, he leads the investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of an engineer who was well-known in the local community.
Is The Shape of Water a mystery novel?
Yes, The Shape of Water centers on a criminal investigation. The narrative focuses on Inspector Montalbano as he works to uncover the truth behind the sudden and suspicious death of an engineer residing in a small Sicilian town.
When was The Shape of Water published?
The Shape of Water was published in 2002. It was written by Andrea Camilleri and introduces readers to the investigative work of Inspector Montalbano as he examines the death of a prominent local engineer.