Westworld Season 2 is over and, whew, what a whirlwind! For the second time in a row we’re feeling a little confused, a little overwhelmed, and a lot missing a new episode every Sunday night! Not to worry though, we’ve compiled a list of other tv shows, movies, podcasts, and books that will hopefully scratch that same Westworld itch!
TV Shows:
Mr. Robot
Though the title may sound Westworld-adjacent, there are actually very few robots at play in ‘Mr. Robot.’ Still, this is a good follow-up to Westworld as it involves extreme differences in personal versus corporate beliefs and how that plays out in a tech-focused world.
Stranger Things
While ‘Stranger Things’ focuses more on the supernatural than robotic, we still like this as a binge-able follow-up to Westworld as they both share strong storylines as well as deep character development. If you haven’t jumped on the ST train yet, be sure to check this one out.
Doctor Who
While Westworld’s cast boasts some big names, any good sci-fi fan will tell you the best cast can only be found on ‘Doctor Who.’ A “who’s who” (pun intended) of British actors (and beyond!) has graced the screen on this show, and it’s one we come back to again and again in the off season.
Black Mirror
If your favorite part of Westworld was trying to imagine what kind of future the park could exist in, ‘Black Mirror’ should absolutely be next on your list. Exploring the intersection of technology and humanity based in the near future, ‘Black Mirror’ shows you where we could end up.
Pushing Daises
Pushing Daises can be a bit more of a fairy tale than a SiFi show, but it’s still worth the watch! It still has some out-of-the-norm plot lines, so it will keep you on your toes. Plus it was written by Lisa Joy (one of Westworld’s creators), so you may just be able to spot some similarities.
Movies:
Star Wars Franchise
For many people the Star Wars franchise is the OG when it comes to SiFi films. Since the production has spanned so many years, most movie-watchers can say that they grew up watching Star Wars. Even if you’ve see all the movies, this can be a fun one to jump back to. And if you’ve managed to skip it, Westworld’s end of Season 2 should be the only reason you need to finally give it a try.
Back to the Future Franchise
An oldie but a goodie, this cult classic deals with timelines that may or may not be defined, just like our fav. Catch up on the franchise, and then be sure to watch ‘Back to the Westworld‘ to confuse yourself even more on when things have happened.
Intersteller
Also written by Jonathan Nolan (one of Westworld’s creators), ‘Interstellar’ shares hints at the AI included in Westworld in the form of the TARS tactical robot whose humor and sarcasm was not necessarily programmed but learned.
Inception
It would not feel super far fetched to hear a character in ‘Inception’ say, “it doesn’t look like anything to me.” Sharing similar themes of misdirection and confusion on the viewer’s part, we love this pick as a follow-up, if only to do a side-by-side comparison of the “waking up on the beach” scenes.
I, Robot
Set in 2035, ‘I, Robot’ is a sci-fi film based on Isaac Asimov’s short stories where highly intelligent robots serve the public good throughout the world and operate under three rules to keep humans safe…at least that’s what everyone assumed until the founder of U.S. Robotics’ alleged suicide uncovers a conspiracy that may soon enslave the human race.
Passengers
One of the more recent films on this list, Passengers tells the story of two sleeping passengers who wake up 90 years too early when their ship malfunctions en route to a new world. Though there are not too many robots in this one, it’s a great date night movie that will still check off the SiFi box.
Podcasts:
Out West
Theories abound in the Westworld community around what it all means, could mean, or will mean. With 8 episodes for season one and 10 episodes for season two, Out West explores these many theories, focusing on one per episode and delving into how probably or likely it is.
The Dollars and Sense of Westworld
Examining the business and economic sides of the fictional Westworld, the hosts of this show try to figure out exactly how achievable a theme park “full of murder sex robots” really is.
Pop Culture Happy Hour
Not at all Westworld-focused, PCHH is still a great listen for any fans of all things “now.” Chatted through in a weekly roundtable, anything trending is up for discussion including the latest movies, television, books, comics and music.
Books:
The Lifecycle of Software Objects
In his longest novella to date, Ted Chiang explores what creating artificial intelligence would be like in the current landscape of startup companies, multiplayer online gaming, and open-source software. A story of two creators and their AI, it follows them for a decade as the software requires upgrades, the world around them changes, and the limits between processing power and intelligence are reached.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
The inspiration for the classic ‘Blade Runner,’ Philip K. Dick’s story of Rick Deckard is now one of legend. Set in 2021, Deckard is an officially sanctioned bounty hunter in pursuit of rogue androids who look and act exactly like humans.
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
Regarded as Robert A. Heinlein’s greatest work, ‘The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress’ puts humanity and its intrinsic definition under a microscope as a self-aware computer aids in a lunar revolution. In the year 2076, a group of men and women have been exiled from Earth, but are still relied upon to produce food for the starving masses. They realize that there’s little choice but to revolt, even with an almost certainty of failure.
Does anyone else have great recommendations for what to do while we wait for the next season of Westworld? Let us know in the comments!