Rian Johnson

The Profile

Rian Johnson is an American writer-director known for Brick, Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and the Knives Out films; he also created the series Poker Face.

Received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Knives Out; frequent collaborator with cinematographer Steve Yedlin; co-founded production company T-Street with Ram Bergman in 2019.

Reviews praise Johnson’s The Last Jedi for bold choices, sharp writing, and tactical space battles, while noting pacing issues and divisive humor. The film’s themes of failed mentorship, balance, and legacy are highlighted. Knives Out is celebrated as a witty, meta-mystery that toys with expectations. Overall sentiment leans positive, with debate around Disney imprint and certain plot turns.