What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedVicious
Mark Ravenhill · Series · 2013
If you loved Vicious, start with Grumpy Old Men (Donald Petrie, 1993) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Vicious across media.
If you loved the razor-sharp banter and domestic friction of Vicious, you will adore these portraits of complicated, long-standing relationships.
Books on the same thread
A Man Called Ove: A Novel
Fredrik Backman · Book · 2016
Explores: Grumbling protagonist, Unexpected friendship, Redemption.
Like Freddie and Stuart in Vicious, Ove is a curmudgeonly lead whose rigid, solitary world is hilariously disrupted by an unexpected and boisterous new neighbor.
The Old Devils
Kingsley Amis · Book · 2012
Shares a thread with Vicious: Aging.
Fans of Vicious will appreciate this sharp, English comedy that mirrors the bickering, booze-soaked dynamics of aging couples who have known each other for far too long.
Kitchen (キッチン)
Banana Yoshimoto · Book · 1988
Explores: Grief, Loss, Coping with Death.
If the social maneuvering of Vicious appealed to you, this dark comedy of manners captures the same biting hilarity found within the domestic sphere of competing couples.
The Satyricon
Petronius Arbiter · Book · 2009
Explores: Social satire, Moral decay, Homosexuality.
The cynical, wandering protagonists of this ancient satire provide a direct historical antecedent to the biting wit and eccentric character dynamics perfected in Vicious.
Films on the same thread
Grumpy Old Men
Donald Petrie · Film · 1993
Shares 2 threads with Vicious: Aging, Senior Comedy.
This film captures the same feuding neighbor energy found in Vicious, focusing on aging rivals who mask their deep-seated friendship with insults and constant, petty bickering.
The Favourite
Yorgos Lanthimos · Film · 2018
Explores: Political Intrigue, Power Dynamics, Queer Relationships.
Those who enjoyed the power plays in Vicious will recognize the same wicked, biting rivalry between these characters as they compete to be the favorite.
Another Year
Film · 2010
Shares a thread with Vicious: Aging.
This character study shares the intimate, aging-focused lens of Vicious, contrasting the contentment of a stable couple against the messy, discontented lives of their visiting friends.
Withnail & I
Bruce Robinson · Film · 1987
Shares a thread with Vicious: British Comedy.
The acerbic, codependent friendship at the heart of this film will resonate with anyone who loved the sharp-tongued, weary intimacy shared by the leads in Vicious.
Podcasts on the same thread
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
Explores: domestic life, modern marriage, parenthood struggles.
Much like the constant, humorous bickering of Freddie and Stuart in Vicious, this podcast finds comedy in the everyday frustrations and relentless arguments of a long-term partnership.
Grumpy Old Geeks
Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister with Dave Bittner · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cynicism, digital culture, corporate skepticism.
If the cynical, no-filter commentary of Vicious was your favorite aspect, you will appreciate this podcast's aggressive, biting approach to dissecting the flaws of the modern world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Vicious a comedy about an elderly couple?
Yes, Vicious follows Freddie and Stuart, an old couple who have been together for decades. The show focuses on their constant bickering and the changes to their lives when a new neighbor named Ash moves into the apartment upstairs.
What is the primary conflict in Vicious?
The primary conflict in Vicious revolves around the mundane lives of Freddie and Stuart being disrupted by their new upstairs neighbor, Ash. This arrival turns their long-term relationship dynamic upside down and introduces new trouble to their daily routine.
Does Vicious feature a new neighbor character?
Yes, Vicious features a character named Ash who moves into the apartment upstairs. Ash is described as someone who causes trouble, which disrupts the established lives of the main characters, Freddie and Stuart, who have been together for decades.
Who are the main characters in Vicious?
The main characters in Vicious are Freddie and Stuart, an old couple who have been together for decades and spend their time bickering. Their lives are further complicated by the addition of Ash, a new neighbor who moves in upstairs.