1. Overview
Jeremy Saulnier (Saulniersoh-NYAYEnglish; born June 10, 1976) is an American filmmaker renowned for his distinctive work as a film director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. A graduate of New York University, Saulnier rose to prominence with his critically acclaimed films, particularly the independent thriller Blue Ruin (2013) and the horror-thriller Green Room (2015), which established his reputation for crafting intense, character-driven narratives often set against gritty, suspenseful backdrops. His career has also expanded into collaborations with major streaming platforms like Netflix and contributions to television series, showcasing his versatility and unique cinematic vision.
2. Early life and education
Saulnier was born on June 10, 1976, in Alexandria, Virginia, an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. He pursued his higher education at New York University, where he specialized in filmmaking. In 1998, Saulnier successfully graduated from the university with honors, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in filmmaking. This foundational education equipped him with the technical skills and artistic insights that would later define his career in the film industry.
3. Career
Jeremy Saulnier's career in filmmaking spans over two decades, evolving from independent projects to working with major studios and streaming services. He is recognized for his hands-on approach, often serving in multiple capacities, including director, writer, cinematographer, and editor on his projects.
3.1. Early works and directorial debut
Saulnier's initial foray into filmmaking included several short films. In 1998, he directed and served as the director of photography (DoP) for Goldfarb. He continued to hone his skills with Crabwalk in 2004, where he took on the roles of director, writer, and DoP. These early projects laid the groundwork for his feature film debut.
In 2007, Saulnier released his first full-length feature film, Murder Party. For this film, he not only served as director and writer but also took on executive producer duties, cinematographer, camera operator, and casting director. The film starred his childhood friend, Macon Blair, marking the beginning of a significant collaborative relationship that would continue throughout their careers.
3.2. Critical acclaim and breakthrough films
Saulnier achieved significant critical acclaim with his 2013 film, Blue Ruin. The film garnered widespread positive reviews, holding a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 77 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating generally favorable reviews. His work on Blue Ruin led to a nomination for the John Cassavetes Award at the 2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The film was also notably featured at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received the International Film Critics' Association (FIPRESCI) Award in 2013, highlighting its international recognition and impact. In addition to directing and writing, Saulnier also served as the cinematographer for Blue Ruin.
Following Blue Ruin, Saulnier directed his third feature film, the horror-thriller Green Room, released in 2015. This film featured a notable cast including Patrick Stewart, Anton Yelchin, and Imogen Poots. Distributed by A24, Green Room also received strong critical reception, earning a 90% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Saulnier served as both director and writer for this project, further solidifying his reputation for intense and compelling genre cinema.
3.3. Streaming and television projects
Saulnier's recent work includes collaborations with streaming platforms and involvement in television series. In 2018, he directed Hold the Dark, an adaptation of William Giraldi's 2014 thriller novel. This film was produced for Netflix, with the screenplay written by Macon Blair, continuing their collaborative efforts. Hold the Dark was released as a Netflix original film.
He also directed and served as an executive producer for two episodes of the HBO drama series True Detective in 2019: "The Great War and Modern Memory" and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye." His television work also includes directing an episode titled "Mad Maks: Maksim Gelman" for The Killer Speaks in 2013.
Looking ahead, Saulnier is set to direct, write, produce, and edit Rebel Ridge, another project slated as a Netflix original film for release in 2024.
4. Filmography
Jeremy Saulnier has contributed to numerous productions in various capacities throughout his career, predominantly as a director, screenwriter, and cinematographer.
4.1. Feature films
The following table lists the feature films directed, written, or produced by Jeremy Saulnier:
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Murder Party | Yes | Yes | Executive | Also casting director, cinematographer, and camera operator |
| 2013 | Blue Ruin | Yes | Yes | No | Also cinematographer |
| 2015 | Green Room | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2018 | Hold the Dark | Yes | No | No | Netflix original film |
| 2024 | Rebel Ridge | Yes | Yes | Yes | Netflix original film; Also editor |
4.2. Short films
The following table lists the short films in which Jeremy Saulnier held directorial, writing, or cinematography roles:
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | DoP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Goldfarb | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2004 | Crabwalk | Yes | Yes | Yes |
4.3. Television
The following table details Jeremy Saulnier's involvement in television series as a director or executive producer:
| Year | Title | Director | Executive producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Killer Speaks | Yes | No | Episode "Mad Maks: Maksim Gelman" |
| 2019 | True Detective | Yes | Yes | Episodes "The Great War and Modern Memory" and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" |
4.4. As cinematographer only
The following list comprises films where Jeremy Saulnier's sole credited role was as a cinematographer:
- Hamilton (2006)
- Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris (2006) (Documentary)
- Putty Hill (2010)
- Septien (2011)
- You Hurt My Feelings (2011)
- Rett: There is Hope (2011) (Documentary)
- In Our Nature (2012)
- See Girl Run (2012)
- The Art of Boxing (2012) (Documentary short)
- I Used to Be Darker (2013)
5. Awards and nominations
Jeremy Saulnier has received recognition for his contributions to filmmaking, particularly for his critically acclaimed independent works.
- In 2013, he was honored with the International Film Critics' Association (FIPRESCI) Award at the Cannes Film Festival for his film Blue Ruin.
- In 2015, Blue Ruin also earned him a nomination for the John Cassavetes Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.