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IMDbPro

Karyn Kusama

  • Director
  • Producer
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Karyn Kusama
An examination of how the nude female body is hypersexualized, under attack, and exploited on and offscreen in Hollywood.
Play trailer2:03
Body Parts (2022)
3 Videos
25 Photos
Karyn Kusama was born on 21 March 1968 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She is a director and producer, known for The Invitation (2015), Destroyer (2018) and Girlfight (2000). She has been married to Phil Hay since October 2006. They have one child.
BornMarch 21, 1968
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMarch 21, 1968
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
    • 13 wins & 25 nominations total

Photos25

Charlize Theron and Karyn Kusama in Æon Flux (2005)
Karyn Kusama in Æon Flux (2005)
Karyn Kusama in Jennifer's Body (2009)
Karyn Kusama at an event for Jennifer's Body (2009)
Peter Chung and Karyn Kusama in Æon Flux (2005)
Nicole Kidman and Karyn Kusama in Destroyer (2018)
Director Karyn Kusama
Phil Hay and Karyn Kusama
Karyn Kusama
Phil Hay and Karyn Kusama
Karyn Kusama
Karyn Kusama at an event for The Invitation (2015)

Known for

The Invitation (2015)
The Invitation
6.6
  • Director(directed by)
  • 2015
Nicole Kidman in Destroyer (2018)
Destroyer
6.2
  • Director
  • 2018
Girlfight (2000)
Girlfight
6.7
  • Director
  • 2000
Yellowjackets (2021)
Yellowjackets
7.8
TV Series
  • Director

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Director

  • Sexy Beast
    • Director
    • In Production
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Yellowjackets (2021)
    Yellowjackets
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2021–2023
  • Rachel Weisz in Dead Ringers (2023)
    Dead Ringers
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Christoph Waltz in The Consultant (2023)
    The Consultant
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Tony Hale, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Marta Kessler, and Mystic Inscho in The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021)
    The Mysterious Benedict Society
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2021
  • Gabriel Byrne, Debra Winger, Irrfan Khan, Amy Ryan, and Dane DeHaan in In Treatment (2008)
    In Treatment
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2021
  • The Outsider (2020)
    The Outsider
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2020
  • Nicole Kidman in Destroyer (2018)
    Destroyer
    • Director
    • 2018
  • Halt and Catch Fire (2014)
    Halt and Catch Fire
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2014–2017
  • Billions (2016)
    Billions
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2016–2017
  • XX (2017)
    XX
    • Director (segment Her Only Living Son, directed by)
    • 2017
  • The Man in the High Castle (2015)
    The Man in the High Castle
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2015–2016
  • Lizzy Caplan, Michael Sheen, Caitlin FitzGerald, and Annaleigh Ashford in Masters of Sex (2013)
    Masters of Sex
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2016
  • Michaela Watkins, Tommy Dewey, and Tara Lynne Barr in Casual (2015)
    Casual
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2016
  • David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Eamonn Walker, Hanako Greensmith, Taylor Kinney, Joe Minoso, Kara Killmer, and Miranda Rae Mayo in Chicago Fire (2012)
    Chicago Fire
    • Director
    • TV Series
    • 2015
  • The Invitation (2015)
    The Invitation
    • Director (directed by)
    • 2015

Producer

  • Sexy Beast
    • executive producer
    • In Production
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Yellowjackets (2021)
    Yellowjackets
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2021–2023
  • Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the Exorcist (2019)
    Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the Exorcist
    • executive producer
    • 2019

Writer

  • XX (2017)
    XX
    • written by (segment Her Only Living Son)
    • 2017
  • Girlfight (2000)
    Girlfight
    • written by
    • 2000
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos3

Official Trailer
Trailer 2:03
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:32
Official Trailer
Speechless
Trailer 1:34
Speechless

Personal details

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  • Born
    • March 21, 1968
    • Brooklyn, New York, USA
  • Spouse
    • Phil HayOctober 2006 - present (1 child)
  • Children
    • Michio Hay
  • Parents
      Haruo Kusama
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Interviews
    • 1 Article

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Except for Girlfight (2000) and Jennifer's Body (2009), all of her feature films as of 2022 have been written by her husband Phil Hay and his writing partner Matt Manfredi.
  • Quotes
    The problem with music videos is that first and foremost you're working in an environment where you're selling a product, ultimately. And I think that gets problematic because, with my brief experience in the studio system, it's so important to insulate yourself from those concerns. And if you know from the beginning that you can't insulate yourself, it infects you.

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