What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThis Fool
Chris Estrada · Series · 2022
If you loved This Fool, start with Emily the Criminal (John Patton Ford, 2022) — a film on the same thread. Below: 3 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to This Fool across media.
What hooked you in This Fool is the messy, resilient way personal growth clashes with the inescapable gravity of family dynamics.
Books on the same thread
Somebody's Fool
Richard Russo · Book · 2023
Shares a thread with This Fool: Family Relationships.
Like This Fool, this novel explores how the weight of aging and established community roles force characters to confront their own history and family relationships in small-town life.
Nobody's Fool
Richard Russo · Book · 1994
Explores: Working Class Life, Small Town Life, Aging.
You will find the same grounded, blue-collar struggle for self-betterment in this story as you did in This Fool, focusing on the friction between regret and personal growth.
A Confederacy of Dunces
John Kennedy Toole · Book · 1980
Explores: eccentric protagonist, social misfit, anachronistic worldview.
If the dysfunctional family dynamics of This Fool resonated with you, you will appreciate this character study of a social misfit failing to navigate his life and home environment.
Films on the same thread
Blindspotting
Carlos López Estrada · Film · 2018
Explores: Police Brutality, Racial Identity, Male Friendship.
Sharing a director with This Fool, this film captures the same tension of male friendship and the difficult path toward redemption while navigating the realities of urban life.
The Holdovers
Alexander Payne · Film · 2023
Shares a thread with This Fool: Personal Growth.
This story mirrors the themes of This Fool by showing how damaged individuals form unlikely bonds and find unexpected personal growth through their shared experiences of loss and struggle.
El Infierno
Luis Estrada · Film · 2010
Explores: Drug War, Corruption, Social Commentary.
This film provides a darker, satirical look at the corruption and social pressures that complicate survival, echoing the community-focused struggles seen throughout the episodes of This Fool.
Emily the Criminal
John Patton Ford · Film · 2022
Explores: Economic Anxiety, Desperation, Moral Ambiguity.
The economic anxiety and moral ambiguity driving this narrative will feel familiar to anyone who followed the desperate, everyday hustle of the characters living in This Fool.
Podcasts on the same thread
Stugotz and Company
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: absurdism, unfiltered opinion, camaraderie.
The irreverent, improvised camaraderie found in this podcast reflects the same chaotic and unfiltered energy that makes the relationships in This Fool feel so authentic and lived-in.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
This podcast taps into the same self-deprecating humor and exploration of social intimacy that defines the protagonist’s journey toward connection and self-awareness in the world of This Fool.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is This Fool based on a book?
This Fool is not based on a book. The 2022 television series was created by Chris Estrada and focuses on the life of Julio Lopez as he navigates working-class life in South Central and manages his codependency issues.
What is the main premise of This Fool?
This Fool follows Julio Lopez, a man with a heart of gold who prioritizes helping others over himself. The series depicts his efforts to improve his South Central community while struggling to overcome personal codependency issues with his family.
Who created the television series This Fool?
The television series This Fool was created by Chris Estrada. The show premiered in 2022 and centers on Julio Lopez, a man living in South Central who attempts to balance community improvement with his own personal challenges.
Does This Fool focus on family dynamics?
Yes, This Fool highlights the protagonist Julio Lopez and his attempts to navigate his codependency issues with his family. These personal struggles are central to the show alongside his efforts to help his community and manage his life in South Central.