The Safdie Breakout: 12 Essential Benny Safdie Movies And TV Shows, Including His Solo Directorial Debut And New Villain Role
Benny Safdie: A Brief Biography and Essential Profile
Benjamin "Benny" Safdie is an American filmmaker, actor, screenwriter, and editor. He is widely known for his collaborative work with his older brother, Josh Safdie, under the moniker "The Safdie Brothers," but his recent solo endeavors have established his independent creative authority.
- Full Name: Benjamin Safdie
- Born: February 24, 1986, in New York City, New York, U.S.
- Age: 39 (as of 2025)
- Occupation: Filmmaker (Director, Screenwriter, Editor), Actor
- Education: Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School, Boston University's College of Communication (Film)
- Notable Collaborations: Josh Safdie (Brother/Co-Director), Adam Sandler, Robert Pattinson, Nathan Fielder, Emma Stone, Christopher Nolan, Dwayne Johnson.
- Signature Style: Known for his contributions to high-energy, gritty, and often chaotic independent films that capture the frenetic energy of New York City life and focus on characters in high-stakes, desperate situations.
The Solo Directorial Leap: *The Smashing Machine* (2025)
The biggest headline in Benny Safdie's career is arguably his first feature film directed entirely on his own: the biographical sports drama, The Smashing Machine. This project, set for release in 2025, marks a definitive step away from his co-directing partnership with his brother and into the spotlight as a singular auteur.
A Gritty Biopic Starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
The film is a powerful and gritty account of the life and career of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion and a legendary figure in the early days of mixed martial arts (MMA).
What makes this project so compelling is the unexpected pairing of the indie icon Safdie with global superstar Dwayne Johnson. Johnson, famous for his blockbuster action-comedies, takes on a rare, dramatic, and physically transformative role, portraying Kerr’s intense battles both in the ring and with addiction and personal struggles outside of it. Safdie’s signature style of raw, kinetic realism is expected to deliver an unflinching look at the dark side of professional fighting, contrasting sharply with the polished, heroic narratives usually associated with Johnson.
Safdie’s decision to write, direct, produce, and edit the film underscores his complete creative control and his intention to bring a deeply personal, uncompromising vision to the screen. The production company, A24, known for its support of distinctive, director-driven projects, further signals the film’s quality and independent spirit, even with a star of Johnson's magnitude. This film is a critical test of Benny Safdie's independent directorial prowess and is one of the most anticipated releases of 2025.
The Actor's Evolution: From Character Roles to Blockbuster Villainy
While his directorial work is legendary, Benny Safdie has quietly built a formidable career as a character actor, lending his distinctive, often nervous or intense energy to a diverse range of projects. His recent acting roles demonstrate an incredible range, moving from supporting a historical epic to playing a lead in a complex satirical series, and now, embracing the role of a major comedic villain.
The Unexpected Villain in *Happy Gilmore 2* (2025)
In one of the most surprising casting announcements of 2024, Benny Safdie was tapped to play the main antagonist in Adam Sandler’s highly anticipated sequel, Happy Gilmore 2. This role is a massive shift from the serious, dramatic roles he's known for.
Safdie plays Frank Manatee, the halitosis-plagued creator of "Maxi Golf," a new, stunt-based golf league that serves as the rival to Happy Gilmore’s return to the sport. The casting is a nod to the deep creative relationship Safdie shares with Sandler, who previously starred in the Safdie Brothers’ masterpiece, Uncut Gems. Safdie’s ability to embody an underhanded, wince-worthy villain provides a perfect comedic foil to Sandler, showcasing his capacity for broad comedy while maintaining his signature edge.
Recent and Notable Acting Performances (2023)
- *Oppenheimer* (2023): Safdie played theoretical physicist Edward Teller, the "father of the hydrogen bomb." Working with director Christopher Nolan, Safdie delivered a nuanced, intense performance that grounded the historical epic. The role demonstrated his ability to hold his own in a massive ensemble cast and confirmed his appeal to A-list directors.
- *Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.* (2023): In a much softer, more heartwarming role, Safdie played Herb Simon, the father of the main character, Margaret. This performance highlighted his warmth and versatility, proving he can anchor a family-friendly drama as effectively as he can a chaotic thriller.
The Safdie Brothers Legacy and The Rise of Cringe Comedy
No discussion of Benny Safdie is complete without acknowledging his foundational work with his brother, Josh. The "Safdie Brothers" brand is synonymous with a particular type of frantic, high-stakes, New York-centric cinema that has profoundly influenced modern independent filmmaking. Furthermore, his recent television work has brought this same anxious energy to the small screen.
The Essential Safdie Brothers Collaborations
These films established the Safdie's unique style of "anxiety cinema," characterized by immersive sound design, handheld camerawork, and deeply flawed, compelling protagonists.
- *Uncut Gems* (2019): Arguably their most famous work, starring Adam Sandler as a compulsive New York jeweler/gambler. Benny co-directed, co-wrote, and co-edited the film, which was a critical and commercial success for A24.
- *Good Time* (2017): Starring Robert Pattinson, this film is a relentless, neon-soaked thriller following a bank robber's desperate night across New York City. Benny co-directed and co-wrote, and also delivered a powerful performance as Nick, the brother with an intellectual disability.
- *Heaven Knows What* (2014): A raw, unflinching look at a young woman's life in the New York City heroin subculture, featuring non-professional actors.
The Satirical Heights of *The Curse* (2023–2024)
Benny Safdie’s foray into television, The Curse, is a satirical black comedy thriller that he co-created, co-wrote, and starred in alongside Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone. The series is a perfect distillation of the Safdie anxiety aesthetic, translating it into a long-form narrative.
The show follows a newly married couple, Asher (Fielder) and Whitney Siegel (Stone), who are trying to conceive a child while starring in a problematic new HGTV-style reality show about passive housing in Española, New Mexico. Safdie plays Dougie Schecter, the cynical and manipulative producer of the reality show.
Critics praised the series for its "exquisitely cringe-worthy" atmosphere and its ability to interrogate complex themes. The show delves into the murky ethics of "woke" capitalism, cultural appropriation, white savior complexes, and the erasure of indigenous communities, all wrapped in a layer of intensely uncomfortable, satirical comedy. It stands as a powerful example of Safdie’s ability to use entertainment to provoke thought and anxiety in equal measure.
The Future of Benny Safdie's Filmography
With his solo directorial debut and a high-profile acting role in a major franchise sequel, Benny Safdie is entering a new phase of his career. His upcoming projects continue to push boundaries, promising more of the gritty realism and authentic character studies that fans have come to expect, whether he is behind the camera or in front of it.
Beyond *The Smashing Machine* and *Happy Gilmore 2*, Safdie has a number of other projects in development, including the film *The Odyssey* (2026). The common thread across all his work—from the chaotic streets of New York in *Good Time* to the historical weight of *Oppenheimer* and the intense drama of *The Smashing Machine*—is a relentless pursuit of truth and a willingness to explore the messy, desperate, and often hilarious sides of the human condition. His explosive breakout ensures that the name Benny Safdie will be synonymous with compelling, must-watch cinema for years to come.
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