The Best Up-and-Coming Directors of Today
Some make quality films that no one else can. These filmmakers have exceptional talent and an eye for their craft, and they’re making a name for themselves in today’s media landscape. A few up-and-coming directors of today are the best of the best, quickly distinguishing themselves from their contemporaries and establishing a league of their own.
The Daniels
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert are a directing duo that recently swept the 2022 awards season away with their film Everything Everywhere All at Once. They wowed audiences with music videos before wowing them with film, but after the huge success of their recent film, the duo already has numerous other projects lined up. The future is bright for The Daniels; hopefully, they can capture the same success with their next endeavors.
The Safdie Brothers
Josh and Benny Safdie have made a few phenomenal films over the last decade, and they’re not stopping any time soon. Their cinematography style is claustrophobic, and they don’t shy away from pointing their camera at things that others would shy away from. They proved this with their 2019 film Uncut Gems, and their next film is sure to be the same. It will shift focus from the high-end jewelry market to the world of trading cards. This film will surely be an interesting glimpse into the history behind collectible trading cards or at least capture a unique moment in trading card history.
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele made everyone tilt their heads when he moved from comedy to horror with his 2017 film Get Out, but since the release of this film and others, Us (2019) and Nope (2022), he’s become one of the best directors working today. He shows a keen understanding of the interplay between comedy and tragedy and how to make stories that can keep people talking. He has an eye for the cultural zeitgeist and knows how to translate that to the screen in a thoughtful and provoking way.
Greta Gerwig
Actor-turned-writer and director Greta Gerwig is amazing on the screen and is now entertaining audiences from behind the camera. Her directorial debut, Lady Bird (2017), was a hit for viewers and critics alike, and she hasn’t stopped since. While continuing to act, she’s had a child and is expecting a second; she released a new adaptation of Little Women (2019) and is even bringing the iconic Barbie doll to the big screen this year. She can make characters feel human and tell universal stories in a way that compels audiences and keeps them on the edge of their seats.
Denis Villeneuve
This director has been making movies longer than his contemporaries listed above, but his career is ever-rising. He’s steadily grown in popularity, releasing amazing projects like Prisoners (2013), Sicario (2015), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), and his film adaptation of Dune (2021). His technique and attention to detail often result in some of the highest-quality films of the last decade, and he doesn’t appear to be stopping.
These are the best up-and-coming directors of today, and they’re only getting better. The second you see any of their names on a trailer or movie poster, make sure to make a note in your calendar so you can show up on opening day to see their next big project. Judging by their track records, they are sure to impress.