If you loved
The Wager
David Grann · Book · 2023
If you loved The Wager, you clearly crave stories where human morality fractures under the crushing weight of extreme isolation and institutional betrayal.
Films on the same thread
Killers of the Flower Moon
Film · 2023
Explores: Systemic Racism, Greed, Betrayal.
Much like the shocking revelations in The Wager, this film exposes how systemic greed and institutional rot can dismantle the lives of the vulnerable in the pursuit of power.
Society of the Snow
J. A. Bayona · Film · 2023
Explores: Survival, Human Endurance, Cannibalism.
This harrowing account of survival mirrors the visceral desperation found in The Wager, focusing on the agonizing choices humans must make when nature strips away every vestige of civilization.
Guy Ritchie's The Covenant
Guy Ritchie · Film · 2023
Explores: Loyalty, Sacrifice, Cross-Cultural Friendship.
The bond of loyalty tested by impossible circumstances in this film echoes the strained relationships between the crew members of The Wager when faced with life-or-death survival stakes.
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
The weight of moral ambiguity and the high-stakes political maneuvering depicted here resonate with the complex accountability struggles that define the aftermath of the shipwreck in The Wager.
Series on the same thread
The Terror
David Kajganich · Series · 2018
Explores: Survival, Isolation, Madness.
If the isolation and psychological unraveling of the crew in The Wager captivated you, this series offers a similarly chilling exploration of madness and survival in an unforgiving landscape.
Shōgun
Rachel Kondo · Series · 2024
Explores: Power Struggle, Cultural Clash, Survival.
The clash between disparate cultures and the struggle for survival in a hostile environment mirror the themes of power and social conflict central to the narrative of The Wager.
The Great
Tony McNamara · Series · 2020
Explores: Political Intrigue, Gender Politics, Royal Court.
This series captures the same 18th-century political instability found in The Wager, highlighting how power dynamics and court intrigue can be just as treacherous as a capsized ship.
House of the Dragon
George R. R. Martin · Series · 2022
Explores: Succession, Power Struggles, Dynastic Conflict.
The internal fractures and power struggles within a dying dynasty reflect the same themes of institutional decay and mutinous ambition that eventually destroy the characters in The Wager.
Podcasts on the same thread
Bag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
Explores: corruption, political scandal, accountability.
The investigative focus on uncovering deep-seated corruption and hidden truths aligns perfectly with the way The Wager systematically dismantles the official accounts of a disastrous historical event.
Bad Money
Kindling Media & Vespucci · Podcast · 2023
This exploration of criminal ambition and the lengths individuals go to for wealth parallels the darker, more selfish human impulses that drive the mutiny depicted in The Wager.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Wager based on a true story?
Yes, The Wager is a work of narrative nonfiction written by David Grann. It documents the historical events surrounding a shipwreck, the subsequent survival of the crew, and the following court martial that uncovered the truth about what occurred during the voyage.
What is the primary focus of The Wager?
The Wager focuses on a harrowing tale of shipwreck, survival, and savagery. The narrative explores the deeper meaning of the events involving the captain and crew, ultimately culminating in a court martial that reveals a shocking truth about the expedition.
Who is the author of The Wager?
The Wager was written by David Grann. He is also the author of Killers of the Flower Moon. His work on The Wager has been recognized as a tour de force of narrative nonfiction and has spent over one year on the New York Times best seller list.
Does The Wager involve a court martial?
Yes, the narrative of The Wager culminates in a court martial. This legal proceeding serves as the backdrop for revealing the shocking truth about the events that transpired during the shipwreck and the survival efforts of the captain and crew.