What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThus Bad Begins
Javier Marías · Book · 2016
If you loved Thus Bad Begins, start with Vladimir (Julia May Jonas, 2026) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Thus Bad Begins across media.
You were drawn to the way Thus Bad Begins exposes how private lives, hidden secrets, and power dynamics collide within historical contexts.
Films on the same thread
The Housemaid
Paul Feig · Film · 2025
Shares a thread with Thus Bad Begins: Power Dynamics.
Like the suffocating atmosphere of Thus Bad Begins, this story centers on the dangerous power dynamics and secrets that emerge when an outsider enters a private, wealthy household.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Philip Kaufman · Film · 1988
Explores: Infidelity, Exile, Political Turmoil.
If the moral ambiguity and romantic complications of Thus Bad Begins resonated with you, this film offers a similarly profound look at infidelity and existential uncertainty during political upheaval.
The Secret in Their Eyes
Juan José Campanella · Film · 2009
Shares a thread with Thus Bad Begins: Memory.
This film mirrors the obsession and investigative focus found in Thus Bad Begins, exploring how a long-buried mystery can haunt the present and demand a final, difficult resolution.
The Lives of Others
Film · 2006
Explores: Surveillance, Censorship, Humanity.
Just as Thus Bad Begins examines the shadow cast by history, this narrative masterfully observes the surveillance and moral conflict that arise when personal lives intersect with rigid state power.
Series on the same thread
The Night Manager
David Farr · Series · 2016
Explores: Undercover Operation, Moral Ambiguity, International Intrigue.
The intricate web of deception and international intrigue here will satisfy the same appetite for political tension and moral ambiguity that defines the narrative landscape of Thus Bad Begins.
Vladimir
Julia May Jonas · Series · 2026
Explores: obsession, professional misconduct, marital instability.
Those who appreciated the intellectual examination of marriage and professional power in Thus Bad Begins will find a similarly sharp, unsettling exploration of misconduct and personal obsession in this story.
The Night Of
Richard Price · Series · 2016
Explores: Wrongful Accusation, Criminal Justice System, Moral Ambiguity.
The atmosphere of suspicion and the weight of a life-altering event in this series echo the psychological gravity and thematic focus on hidden truths found in Thus Bad Begins.
Bodyguard
Jed Mercurio · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with Thus Bad Begins: Power Dynamics.
This story captures the same tension between duty and personal desire that permeates Thus Bad Begins, highlighting how government conspiracies and individual moral conflict can distort a person's life.
Podcasts on the same thread
Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Esther Perel Global Media · Podcast · 2026
Explores: infidelity, emotional vulnerability, human connection.
If the raw exploration of marriage and betrayal in Thus Bad Begins moved you, these intimate, real-life dialogues provide a deeper psychological analysis of the very human conflicts presented.
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
While a documentary series, this exploration of how the past shapes national identity aligns with the historical preoccupation of Thus Bad Begins, examining the lingering, systemic impact of history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Thus Bad Begins considered a highly regarded novel?
Yes, Thus Bad Begins was named a best book of the year by both the Boston Globe and the Los Angeles Times. It is written by Javier Marías, who is an internationally acclaimed author.
What is the setting of Thus Bad Begins?
The story of Thus Bad Begins takes place in Madrid in 1980. The plot follows a young man named Juan de Vere who takes a job as a personal assistant while finishing his university degree.
What themes are explored in Thus Bad Begins?
Thus Bad Begins focuses on a couple living in the shadow of a mysterious and unhappy history. The novel examines the cruel and tender punishments that people exact on those they love.
Who is the author of Thus Bad Begins?
Thus Bad Begins is written by Javier Marías. He is the same author who wrote The Infatuations, which is another work for which he has received international acclaim.