What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Worst Person in the World
Joachim Trier · Film · 2021
If you loved The Worst Person in the World, start with You're the Worst (Stephen Falk, 2014) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Worst Person in the World across media.
You were drawn to the way The Worst Person in the World captures the messy, nonlinear process of defining your authentic adult self.
Books on the same thread
Ghost World
Daniel Clowes · Book · 2001
Explores: Teenage angst, Female friendship, Existential dread.
Like Julie in The Worst Person in the World, Enid navigates the sharp edges of existential dread and the isolating transition into a reality that never quite feels right.
Beautiful World, Where Are You
Sally Rooney · Book · 2021
Explores: existential dread, modern intimacy, class disparity.
This novel mirrors the intellectual restlessness found in The Worst Person in the World, exploring how modern intimacy and career uncertainty complicate the search for a meaningful life.
Norwegian Wood (ノルウェイの森)
Haruki Murakami · Book · 1987
Explores: Loss, Grief, Nostalgia.
If you appreciated the melancholic tone of The Worst Person in the World, you will connect with this exploration of how grief and loss shape one's evolving identity.
Sophie's World (Sofies verden)
Jostein Gaarder · Book · 1991
Shares a thread with The Worst Person in the World: Self-Discovery.
The Worst Person in the World centers on a protagonist questioning her existence, a journey that finds its philosophical counterpart in this narrative about seeking life's deeper purpose.
Series on the same thread
You're the Worst
Stephen Falk · Series · 2014
Explores: Dysfunctional Relationship, Self-Sabotage, Cynicism.
This series captures the same self-sabotaging impulses and relationship volatility that Julie experiences in The Worst Person in the World, offering a raw look at flawed, contemporary romantic dynamics.
Normal People
Series · 2020
Shares 2 threads with The Worst Person in the World: Coming-of-Age Drama, Millennial Drama.
Much like The Worst Person in the World, this show excels at portraying the shifting boundaries of intimacy and the way people drift through each other's complex lives.
SKAM
Julie Andem · Series · 2015
Explores: Teenage Life, Social Issues, Friendship.
This series shares the grounded, authentic approach to identity exploration seen in The Worst Person in the World, focusing on the pressures of youth within a distinctly Norwegian context.
Insecure
Issa Rae · Series · 2016
Shares 2 threads with The Worst Person in the World: self-discovery, quarter-life crisis.
Fans of The Worst Person in the World will recognize the struggle to balance career ambitions with the messy, often contradictory reality of navigating adulthood and modern romantic life.
Podcasts on the same thread
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
These stories reflect the same interest in the human condition that anchors The Worst Person in the World, providing intimate windows into the lives of people finding their way.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
If you valued the unfiltered self-discovery in The Worst Person in the World, you will appreciate the conversational freedom and intellectual exploration present in these long-form dialogue sessions.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Worst Person in the World based on a book?
The Worst Person in the World is a 2021 film directed by Joachim Trier. It is an original work that chronicles four years in the life of a young woman named Julie as she navigates her love life and career path. It is not an adaptation of existing source material.
What is the premise of The Worst Person in the World?
The Worst Person in the World follows the life of Julie over a four-year period. She struggles to determine her professional direction and deals with the complexities of her romantic relationships, ultimately leading her to take a realistic look at her own identity and who she really is.
Who directed The Worst Person in the World?
The Worst Person in the World was directed by Joachim Trier. Released in 2021, the film focuses on the life of a young woman named Julie as she experiences significant personal and professional changes while attempting to define her true self.
Does The Worst Person in the World follow a specific timeline?
Yes, The Worst Person in the World chronicles four years in the life of its protagonist, Julie. During this timeframe, she navigates the troubled waters of her love life and works to find her career path, resulting in an introspective look at her personal identity.