Sometimes, a director credit will surprise the audience - and these big hits had some very surprising names in the director's chair
Sometimes after a great movie, the credits roll and an enthralled viewer pops up from their couch or theater seat. "Oh, they directed that?!" Oftentimes, an exciting surprise found in the director credit comes from the realization that it was someone unusual — i.e. an actor, or any person well-known for anything besides directing, or a director in an unexpected place, or someone the viewer just became acquainted with.
These directorial-sleepers can be unexpected in terms of those who helmed them, and their existence in general. This is especially evident across Netflix's vast catalogue. From a critical darling made by its awe-inspiring subject, to passion projects from Hollywood's most celebrated performers — there's a breadth of killer movies on the platform with head-turning credits.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is the awe-inspiring tale of Camp Jened — an amazing summer-camp for disabled teens in the Catskills — and a group of teens who attended in the 1970's, and went on to change the world in magnificent ways. One of the main Jened alumni interviewed throughout the film is James LeBrecht, who co-directed the film with Emmy-winner Nicole Newnham.
A smiling deadhead with a passion for sound, LeBrecht is a charming delight throughout Crip Camp, recalling everything from giggling girlfriends, to sit-ins at Berkeley with old camp friends. LeBrecht worked with Newnham prior in her sound department, and when he started telling her about his old camp, and friends, and how they went on to shape a revolution for the disabled, they decided to make this inspiring, beautiful, and educational picture. To help out with Higher Ground Productions, Barack and Michelle Obama stepped in as Executive Producers.
A gorgeous and emotional walk through the rough-and-tumble career of country musician Blaze Foley (Ben Dickey) — Blaze showcases Ethan Hawke's talent behind the camera. The prolific performer known for roles in so many standouts like The Before Trilogy, and Training Day, Hawke has directed a couple other feature-narratives, but this latest effort stands out with its mastery of pace, empathy, and storytelling.
The film, which tells Foley's story with brilliant empathy, and which showcases his music with piercing romance, also features a number of exciting sleeper collaborations. Hawke's best-friend and long-time collaborator Richard Linklater makes a rare acting appearance alongside Sam Rockwell and Steve Zahn as Blaze's reps. Foley's wife, and the author of the memoir from which the script was based — Sybil Rosen (Alia Shawkat) co-wrote the film with Hawke and made a cameo as her own mother in the film. Dickey and Shawkats' performances are beautiful, heart-breaking and riveting.
Most people who possess a general familiarity with American music have heard of Quincy Jones. With an intimate connection, and detailed look back, Quincy shines a light on just how massive an influence the producer has on the last half century of music and film, and how his light continues to shine with immense reach today. It also happens to be co-directed by his daughter Rashida.
An acclaimed documentary made by the subject's daughter is unique enough, but Rashida Jones also happens to be one of the film industry's most prolific performers. A regular on iconic comedies like The Office and Parks and Recreation, Jones worked with Grammy-winner Alan Hicks to bring her father's fascinating story to Netflix in 2018.
Based off the book by Jonathan Krakauer, Into The Wild is an in-depth character study with the backdrop of the American road, some of its more off-the-beaten-path societies, and brilliant nature from the southern borders of the lower continental all the way up to Alaska. Following Christopher McCandless, also known as Alexander Supertramp (Emile Hirsch) the narrative hitchhikes along as a sort-of guide to going off the grid.
The enthralling movie features fantastic outdoors' footage, small and charming performances by Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, and Jenna Malone. Hal Holbrook earned an Oscar nomination for Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role for playing Ron Franz, one of McCandless' hosts. Eddie Vedder recorded a fantastic original soundtrack that's a great listen even on its own. And Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn sat in the director's chair.
An acclaimed standup comic, musician, and actor — Bo Burnham has turned many heads over the years with his directing capabilities as well. Most of his credits behind the camera include comedy specials for himself, Jerrod Carmichael, and the great Chris Rock in this gem from Netflix. An icon and master of the craft, Rock seamlessly weaves reflections on politics, family, and comedy into an acclaimed hour-and-a-half.
Burnham's direction in Rock's special is dramatic in its lighting and color, but simple in its approach, letting the comic shine with appropriate focus. In addition to his comedy specials, Burnham also wrote and directed the feature Eighth Grade, which dazzled audiences and earned widespread acclaim after its 2018 release.
Unlike most entries on this list, Dee Rees is known primarily for her directing talent, which is deep. Rees made a huge name for herself with the Netflix-original film Mudbound in 2018. Outside of that, her many directing credits include her earlier indie-feature darling Pariah, and episodes on dramatic shows like Empire, and Electric Dreams.
Rees' acclaimed, Oscar-nominated, and largely serious resume all makes her two-episode stint on the Greg Daniels' half-hour comedy Space Force a sleeper delight. Behind episodes "The Spy," and "Space Flag," Dee Rees demonstrates her comedic chops, conjuring hilarious performances from comedic forces like Steve Carell, Ben Schwartz, and Tawny Newsome.
Lucy Liu is an iconic actor whose near-hundred acting IMDB credits include unforgettable performances in shows like Difficult People, as well as film franchises like Kung Fu Panda and Charlie's Angles.
Having been one of Hollywood's most recognizable stars since the early 1990's, Liu began directing in 2015, and a few years later joined Netflix's Luke Cage to direct the second season's Soul Brother #1. She's since gone on to direct seven episodes of Elementary, as well as single episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and New Amsterdam.
Constantly remembered for his iconic role in Teen Wolf Too, Jason Bateman has gone on to have one of the most prolific and successful acting careers of anyone in the business. From hilarious leading parts on shows like Arrested Development, to roles in timeless movies like Horrible Bosses and Dodgeball, he's established himself in the comedic world. His award-winning work in Ozark was an enlightening and award-winning example of his dramatic chops.
Bateman's known mainly as an actor and has directed some television throughout his career, but no effort was as large or popular as his ten-episode directorial run in Ozark, for which he won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series in 2019. A sleeper surprise at the time of its release, Bateman's episodes of Ozark will keep a record of his vision for a long time to come.
For fans of Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Eric Wareheim has been a force of comedic performance for some time. The tall, charismatic partner of Tim Heidecker has his own brand of silly, which melds perfectly with the universe of Aziz Ansari's Netflix hit half-hour Master of None.
In the show, Wareheim plays Arnold, who is best friends with Dev (Ansari) and Denise (Lena Waithe). He's goofy, tall, and always seeking the finest eats and aesthetics. It turns out, those traits mirror Wareheim's directorial style for the show, which he showcased in six episodes, including brilliant works of drama and comedy in "Mornings," "Finale," and "The Dinner Party."
Chiwetel Ejiofor is the Oscar-nominated actor whose performance in 12 Years A Slave will stand the test of time as an example of world-class acting. His resume includes a wide variety of more roles in fantastic movies such as Love Actually, Children Of Men, and American Gangster. After a couple shorts, Ejiofor directed his first feature, The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, which released to critical acclaim on Netflix in 2019.
Telling the true story of William Kamkwamba (Maxwell Simba) who scrapped to build a wind turbine to power a well and save his community in Malawi from a drought. It's a fascinating, inspiring tale directed with honesty and grace. On top of seeing the project through from beginning to end, Ejiofor also worked in front of the camera playing William's father Trywell.
