The Conformist stands out in Alberto Moravia's oeuvre as a keen critique of the moral decay witnessed within the Italian bourgeoisie. This theme of societal critique began with his earlier work, Gli indifferenti (1929; translated as The Time of Indifference, 1953), setting the stage for a series of novels that would delve into the cultural and ethical voids of his time. During the 1930s, much of Moravia's writing served as a satirical response to the oppressive Fascist regime in Italy, a stance that eventually forced him to seek refuge in the secluded mountains, far from the reach of governmental persecution and the threat of imprisonment.

In his post-World War II novels, Moravia rose to prominence as one of the leading existentialist novelists in Europe, sharing this intellectual space with the likes of Nikos Kazantzakis in Greece and Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus in France. These writers collectively explored the existential turmoil and societal fragmentation resulting from the devastation of war. In particular, The Conformist—adapted into a film by Bernardo Bertolucci in 1970—narrates a compelling, straightforward story of a man entangled in the complexities of his times. The protagonist is portrayed as both a victim molded by his era and a participant in its atrocities. Moravia's acute exploration of the psychological underpinnings of Fascism and the reverberations of nihilism remains unmatched in its depth and insight, cementing his position as a formidable critic of his time.