10 Movies and Shows Similar to The Zone of Interest (2023)

Description: Similar to 'The Zone of Interest' (2023), 'Schindler's List' is a harrowing depiction of the Holocaust, focusing on the moral complexities and human suffering during this dark period. Both films explore the banality of evil and the juxtaposition of everyday life with unimaginable horror. Spielberg's use of black-and-white cinematography and a restrained narrative style echoes the stark realism of 'The Zone of Interest'.

Fact: Steven Spielberg refused to take a salary for the film, stating it would be 'blood money'. The girl in the red coat is one of the few instances of color in the film, symbolizing innocence amidst the horror. Liam Neeson was not the first choice for the role of Oskar Schindler; Warren Beatty and Kevin Costner were considered.

Description: While 'Life Is Beautiful' takes a more whimsical approach compared to 'The Zone of Interest', both films explore the Holocaust through the lens of family and survival. The contrast between humor and horror in 'Life Is Beautiful' mirrors the juxtaposition of normalcy and atrocity in 'The Zone of Interest'.

Fact: Roberto Benigni won the Academy Award for Best Actor, jumping over seats to accept it. The film was the first non-English language film to win the Best Actor Oscar. Benigni's father was imprisoned in a Nazi labor camp, inspiring the story.

Description: 'The Grey Zone' and 'The Zone of Interest' both delve into the moral ambiguities of the Holocaust, focusing on the Sonderkommando who were forced to assist in the genocide. Both films present a stark, unflinching look at the complexities of survival and complicity under extreme duress.

Fact: The film is based on the book by Miklós Nyiszli, a Jewish doctor who worked with Josef Mengele. It features one of the few depictions of the Auschwitz uprising. Director Tim Blake Nelson spent years researching the subject matter.

Description: 'The Pianist' shares with 'The Zone of Interest' a focus on the Holocaust, particularly the survival and resilience of individuals amidst systemic brutality. Both films employ a detached, almost documentary-like approach to storytelling, emphasizing the stark reality of the events without sensationalism. The emotional tone is similarly understated yet deeply affecting.

Fact: Roman Polanski, the director, is a Holocaust survivor himself. Adrien Brody lost 30 pounds for the role and isolated himself to capture the character's despair. The film won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Brody.

Description: 'Conspiracy' and 'The Zone of Interest' both examine the bureaucratic nature of the Holocaust, showing how ordinary men planned and executed genocide. The films' clinical, almost mundane portrayal of evil highlights the terrifying efficiency of the Nazi machine.

Fact: The film recreates the Wannsee Conference where the Final Solution was planned. Kenneth Branagh and Stanley Tucci deliver chilling performances as Heydrich and Eichmann. The script is based on the only surviving transcript of the meeting.

Description: 'Downfall' and 'The Zone of Interest' both explore the psychology of perpetrators during WWII, offering a chilling look at the banality of evil. While 'Downfall' focuses on Hitler's final days, both films depict the mundane aspects of life amidst atrocity, challenging viewers to confront the humanity of those responsible for heinous acts.

Fact: Bruno Ganz's portrayal of Hitler is considered one of the most accurate in cinema. The film sparked controversy for humanizing Hitler. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Description: Both 'The Counterfeiters' and 'The Zone of Interest' explore the moral dilemmas faced by those forced to collaborate with the Nazis. The films present complex characters who must navigate survival and ethics in impossible circumstances, offering a nuanced look at the Holocaust.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Operation Bernhard. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The protagonist, Salomon Sorowitsch, is a composite of several real-life counterfeiters.

Description: Both 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' and 'The Zone of Interest' use the perspective of children to highlight the innocence lost during the Holocaust. The films contrast the naivety of youth with the brutal reality of the camps, creating a poignant commentary on the impact of hatred and prejudice.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by John Boyne. The ending is one of the most heartbreaking in Holocaust cinema. The film was criticized for historical inaccuracies but praised for its emotional impact.

Description: Like 'The Zone of Interest', 'Son of Saul' is a visceral, immersive experience of the Holocaust, using tight framing and a shallow depth of field to focus on the protagonist's perspective. Both films avoid explicit depictions of violence, instead relying on sound and suggestion to convey the horror, creating a more psychologically intense experience.

Fact: The film is shot almost entirely in close-up, following the protagonist's face. It won the Grand Prix at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Director László Nemes spent years researching the Holocaust to ensure historical accuracy.

Description: 'Denial' and 'The Zone of Interest' both address the legacy of the Holocaust, though from different angles. While 'Denial' focuses on the legal battle against Holocaust denial, both films underscore the importance of remembering and confronting historical truth.

Fact: The film is based on the real-life libel case brought by David Irving against Deborah Lipstadt. Rachel Weisz prepared for the role by meeting with Lipstadt extensively. The courtroom scenes were filmed in the actual courtroom where the trial took place.