Josh Safdie

Directing

Josh Safdie

Born

1984-04-03 (42)

Place of birth

New York City, New York, USA

Known for

Directing

Credits

72 titles

Joshua Henry Safdie (born April 3, 1984) is an American filmmaker and screenwriter, best known for his work with his younger brother, Benny Safdie, as one half of the acclaimed Safdie Brothers. Together, they developed a reputation for raw, urgent storytelling in films such as Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019). In 2024, it was reported that the Safdie Brothers would no longer co-direct and would instead pursue solo projects. Josh's first feature since the split, Marty Supreme (2025), was critically acclaimed, earning him nine Oscar nominations, including best picture and best director.

Known for

Film credits

2020s · 5 titles

2010s · 14 titles

Uncut Gems poster
7.2

A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.

Uncut Gems

2019

Daddy Longlegs poster
6.6

After months of living a solitary existence, Lenny, 34, picks up his kids from school. Every year he spends a couple of weeks with his sons Sage, 9, and Frey, 7. Lenny hosts his kids within a midtown studio apartment in New York. During these two weeks, he must figure out if he wants to act as their father or be their friend. Ultimately, their trip upstate results in complete lawlessness taking over their lives.

Daddy Longlegs

2010

This Summer Feeling poster
5.6

In high summer, Sasha suddenly dies. Her death brings two virtual strangers, her boyfriend Lawrence and sister Zoé, closer together, sharing their grief and the burden of their loss in Berlin, Paris and New York.

This Summer Feeling

2015

Ezer Kenegdo poster
4.5

Frictions develop when Yisroel "Izzy" Jonigkeyt, a Chassidic Jew from Crown Heights, travels to San Francisco to visit Polish-born Catholic friend Marek Wisniewski with the intent of discovering why a Bay Area art-world iconoclast named Harry Kierk seeks to destroy a lifetime's worth of his own work. As the visit progresses, Izzy and Marek discover for the first time that complex historical baggage impinges on their curious friendship and, soon, they begin to understand why Kierk is driven towards destruction. Continued encounters with Marek's vaguely anti-Semitic cousin Irek (who is their only gateway to contact Kierk) only compound these tensions.

Ezer Kenegdo

2017

Meet the Filmmakers: Josh and Benny Safdie poster
7.0

Get to know the siblings whose films have captured the skittering pulse of New York’s city streets. An original documentary featuring footage from the making of their new thriller, Good Time, along with several of the brothers’ early features and shorts. Produced by the Criterion Channel for their "Meet the Filmmakers" series.

Meet the Filmmakers: Josh and Benny Safdie

2017

Gone Tomorrow poster
NR

A short film by Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, & Alex Kalman.

Gone Tomorrow

2015

My Art poster
5.0

A 65-year-old single artist living in New York City has a good life: a stable teaching job, successful friends, and a loyal, aging dog named Bing. As her dream of a respectable place in the art world becomes more elusive, her frustration with her lack of recognition feels alarmingly urgent.

My Art

2016

Stand Clear of the Closing Doors poster
6.2

When autistic teen Ricky is scolded for skipping class, he escapes into the subway for a days-long odyssey among the subway’s disparate denizens. Meanwhile, his mother wages an escalating search effort above ground. Based on a true story and set in Far Rockaway, Queens, in the days leading up to Hurricane Sandy, these parallel stories of mother and son take the viewer on a touching journey of community and connection in and below New York City.

Stand Clear of the Closing Doors

2014

Hellaware poster
5.2

Aspiring but less than ambitious photographer Nate clumsily navigates the New York City art world in a post-grad haze, waiting for his breakthrough project to fall into his lap. During a drug-fueled wormhole through the annals of YouTube, Nate discovers his next subjects when an arbitrary click lands him on a crude music video by the Young Torture Killaz—an Insane Clown Posse knock-off group of jaded Delaware teens with a lot to scream about—and the inspiration (and exploitation) flows

Hellaware

2013

Hellaware poster
5.2

Aspiring but less than ambitious photographer Nate clumsily navigates the New York City art world in a post-grad haze, waiting for his breakthrough project to fall into his lap. During a drug-fueled wormhole through the annals of YouTube, Nate discovers his next subjects when an arbitrary click lands him on a crude music video by the Young Torture Killaz—an Insane Clown Posse knock-off group of jaded Delaware teens with a lot to scream about—and the inspiration (and exploitation) flows

Hellaware

2013

10 Crosby poster
NR

A series of short films following the interconnected lives on Crosby street, New York City.

10 Crosby

2016

Lydia Hoffman Lydia Hoffman poster
NR

A young woman invites a vagabond to stay the night at her house but her feelings of insecurity threaten to overshadow the visit.

Lydia Hoffman Lydia Hoffman

2013

A Hot Two Weeks: The Making of Heaven Knows What poster
NR

The story behind the acclaimed film, "Heaven Knows What," directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, and inspired by the life of Arielle Holmes.

A Hot Two Weeks: The Making of Heaven Knows What

2015

Second Stop from Jupiter: The Making of Daddy Longlegs poster
NR

A documentary chronicling the production of Daddy Longlegs.

Second Stop from Jupiter: The Making of Daddy Longlegs

2011

2000s · 7 titles

Taking Woodstock poster
6.2

The story of Elliot Tiber and his family, who inadvertently played a pivotal role in making the famed Woodstock Music and Arts Festival into the happening that it was. When Elliot hears that a neighboring town has pulled the permit on a hippie music festival, he calls the producers thinking he could drum up some much-needed business for his parents' run-down motel. Three weeks later, half a million people are on their way to his neighbor’s farm in White Lake, New York, and Elliot finds himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life–and American culture–forever.

Taking Woodstock

2009

The Adventures of Slater's Friend poster
10.0

A film crew trails Philbert Powell through his morning, from the supermarket to his job at a video store. Along the way, he crosses paths with several individuals all named “Slater.” His interactions with them raise the central question: who, among those Slaters, is his friend? The narrative unfolds across a single morning, blending encounters and identity as Philbert’s journey reveals the shifting dynamics of connection.

The Adventures of Slater's Friend

2005

The Back of Her Head poster
5.5

This is a story about a man, who lives above an older Hindi man, who lives above a delinquent British man, who lives above a girl. It is the back of her head that he is in love with.

The Back of Her Head

2007

The Ralph Handel Story poster
NR

Co-directed by Benny and Josh Safdie, this deadpan mock-documentary follows Ralph Handel, a buttoned-down office worker who spends his nights bombing on the open-mic circuit. Staged as cinéma vérité that edges into performance art—Safdie performed the disastrous sets in real clubs—the film channels Andy Kaufman’s anti-comedy and the self-reflexive diary mode of David Holzman’s Diary to sketch a sly portrait of a life quietly coming undone.

The Ralph Handel Story

2006

Yeast poster
5.6

A maddeningly oblivious, tyrannical and emotionally stunted young woman tries her best to negotiate two toxic friendships.

Yeast

2008

The Pleasure of Being Robbed poster
5.7

A curious and lost Eleonore looks for something everywhere, even in the bags of strangers who find themselves sadly smiling only well after she's left their lives. They owe her their thanks.

The Pleasure of Being Robbed

2008

We're Going to the Zoo poster
4.8

This is a story about a real life brother and sister and their journey to the zoo. On their way, they accidentally pick up a hitchhiker.

We're Going to the Zoo

2006

Series credits

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon poster
5.8

After Jay Leno's second retirement from the program, Jimmy Fallon stepped in as his permanent replacement. After 42 years in Los Angeles the program was brought back to New York.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014

The Oscars poster
7.1

An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.

The Oscars

1953

Togetherness poster
6.8

Four adults nearing 40, living under the same roof, struggle to keep their relationships and their individual dreams alive.

Togetherness

2015

Mr. Scorsese poster
8.1

Explore the many lives of Martin Scorsese through intimate interviews with the man himself, access to his private archives, plus conversations with Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Daniel Day-Lewis, Steven Spielberg, and more.

Mr. Scorsese

2025

Good Hang with Amy Poehler poster
5.5

Each week on her podcast, she'll welcome celebrities and fun people to her studio. They'll share stories about their careers, mutual friends, shared enthusiasms, and most importantly, what's been making them laugh. This podcast is not about trying to make you better or giving advice. Amy just wants to have a good time.

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

2025

The Neistat Brothers poster
7.5

Following Casey and Van Neistat, The Neistat Brothers is a autobiographical documentary following the lives and adventures of the two brothers. The series follows their travels around the world and New York as they tell their stories about six week chunks of their lives in their signature vlog-like style

The Neistat Brothers

2010

Behind the camera

Marty Supreme poster
7.4

Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

Marty Supreme

2025

Marty Supreme poster
7.4

Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

Marty Supreme

2025

Marty Supreme poster
7.4

Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

Marty Supreme

2025

Uncut Gems poster
7.2

A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.

Uncut Gems

2019

Uncut Gems poster
7.2

A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.

Uncut Gems

2019

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You poster
6.3

With her life crashing down around her, Linda attempts to navigate her child's mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You

2025

Good Time poster
7.2

After a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Connie Nikas embarks on a twisted odyssey through New York City's underworld to get his brother Nick out of jail.

Good Time

2017

Good Time poster
7.2

After a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Connie Nikas embarks on a twisted odyssey through New York City's underworld to get his brother Nick out of jail.

Good Time

2017

Adam Sandler: Love You poster
6.3

Adam Sandler hits the stage for a thrillingly unpredictable comedy special featuring songs, jokes, party-crashing dogs and plenty of love.

Adam Sandler: Love You

2024

Adam Sandler: Love You poster
6.3

Adam Sandler hits the stage for a thrillingly unpredictable comedy special featuring songs, jokes, party-crashing dogs and plenty of love.

Adam Sandler: Love You

2024

Daddy Longlegs poster
6.6

After months of living a solitary existence, Lenny, 34, picks up his kids from school. Every year he spends a couple of weeks with his sons Sage, 9, and Frey, 7. Lenny hosts his kids within a midtown studio apartment in New York. During these two weeks, he must figure out if he wants to act as their father or be their friend. Ultimately, their trip upstate results in complete lawlessness taking over their lives.

Daddy Longlegs

2010

Daddy Longlegs poster
6.6

After months of living a solitary existence, Lenny, 34, picks up his kids from school. Every year he spends a couple of weeks with his sons Sage, 9, and Frey, 7. Lenny hosts his kids within a midtown studio apartment in New York. During these two weeks, he must figure out if he wants to act as their father or be their friend. Ultimately, their trip upstate results in complete lawlessness taking over their lives.

Daddy Longlegs

2010

Heaven Knows What poster
6.4

A young heroin addict roams the streets of New York to panhandle and get her next fix, while her unstable boyfriend drifts in and out of her life at random.

Heaven Knows What

2015

Heaven Knows What poster
6.4

A young heroin addict roams the streets of New York to panhandle and get her next fix, while her unstable boyfriend drifts in and out of her life at random.

Heaven Knows What

2015

Question & Answer poster
8.0

The Safdie brothers go undercover to record an interview with Adam Sandler, the star of their film UNCUT GEMS.

Question & Answer

2020

Question & Answer poster
8.0

The Safdie brothers go undercover to record an interview with Adam Sandler, the star of their film UNCUT GEMS.

Question & Answer

2020

Funny Pages poster
5.7

A teenage cartoonist rejects the comforts of his suburban life in a misguided quest for soul.

Funny Pages

2022

Goldman v Silverman poster
6.2

Rod Goldman and Al Silverman are street performers who work the tourist scene of Times Square. Goldman gets no respect and Silverman is the first one to make sure of that.

Goldman v Silverman

2020

Heartland poster
6.0

Commissioned by fashion label Vena Cava, Josh Safdie’s short replaces a runway show with an eerie, late-1970s Los Angeles-inspired tale about a women’s cult; it premiered online in November 2012.

Heartland

2012

Heartland poster
6.0

Commissioned by fashion label Vena Cava, Josh Safdie’s short replaces a runway show with an eerie, late-1970s Los Angeles-inspired tale about a women’s cult; it premiered online in November 2012.

Heartland

2012

The Adventures of Slater's Friend poster
10.0

A film crew trails Philbert Powell through his morning, from the supermarket to his job at a video store. Along the way, he crosses paths with several individuals all named “Slater.” His interactions with them raise the central question: who, among those Slaters, is his friend? The narrative unfolds across a single morning, blending encounters and identity as Philbert’s journey reveals the shifting dynamics of connection.

The Adventures of Slater's Friend

2005

The Adventures of Slater's Friend poster
10.0

A film crew trails Philbert Powell through his morning, from the supermarket to his job at a video store. Along the way, he crosses paths with several individuals all named “Slater.” His interactions with them raise the central question: who, among those Slaters, is his friend? The narrative unfolds across a single morning, blending encounters and identity as Philbert’s journey reveals the shifting dynamics of connection.

The Adventures of Slater's Friend

2005

No artwork available
NR

A white widowed socialite in New York develops a relationship with a young Muslim man.

Martha & Muhammad

—

Lethargy poster
6.0

An early high-school short by Josh Safdie and David Gelb, Lethargy follows a drifting New York teenager—shot in black-and-white with color dream bursts—whose path crosses a park-bench “animal therapist” (a cameo by Robert Downey Jr.) and other fleeting figures, including Edward Burns, in a wry, post-modern sketch of youthful inertia.

Lethargy

2002

Lethargy poster
6.0

An early high-school short by Josh Safdie and David Gelb, Lethargy follows a drifting New York teenager—shot in black-and-white with color dream bursts—whose path crosses a park-bench “animal therapist” (a cameo by Robert Downey Jr.) and other fleeting figures, including Edward Burns, in a wry, post-modern sketch of youthful inertia.

Lethargy

2002

There's Nothing You Can Do poster
6.0

The Safdie brothers repurpose reality television’s vocabulary of confrontation and cramped cinematography for a miniature study of urban maladies.

There's Nothing You Can Do

2008

There's Nothing You Can Do poster
6.0

The Safdie brothers repurpose reality television’s vocabulary of confrontation and cramped cinematography for a miniature study of urban maladies.

There's Nothing You Can Do

2008

Straight Hustle poster
NR

Commissioned by Northwest Film Forum’s One-Shot program, this Safdie short trails two street hustlers working a “cold” con in downtown Seattle, observing the quick pitch, misdirection, and payoff with lean, street-level immediacy.

Straight Hustle

2011

Straight Hustle poster
NR

Commissioned by Northwest Film Forum’s One-Shot program, this Safdie short trails two street hustlers working a “cold” con in downtown Seattle, observing the quick pitch, misdirection, and payoff with lean, street-level immediacy.

Straight Hustle

2011

Gone Tomorrow poster
NR

A short film by Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, & Alex Kalman.

Gone Tomorrow

2015

Solid Gold poster
7.7

A short observational piece by Josh and Benny Safdie, Solid Gold follows a gold-painted “living statue” (performed by Benny Safdie) working the streets and subways of New York—a compact study of street performance and the struggle to be seen, featured online via NoBudge in 2013.

Solid Gold

2013

Trophy Hunter poster
6.0

Trophy Hunter (2012) is a short mock-documentary created by Josh and Benny Safdie for the Turtle Conservancy. It explores the illegal wildlife trade through a satirical lens, featuring the late New York cultural icon Glenn O’Brien as he visits an eccentric Chinese collector.

Trophy Hunter

2012

Trophy Hunter poster
6.0

Trophy Hunter (2012) is a short mock-documentary created by Josh and Benny Safdie for the Turtle Conservancy. It explores the illegal wildlife trade through a satirical lens, featuring the late New York cultural icon Glenn O’Brien as he visits an eccentric Chinese collector.

Trophy Hunter

2012

The Back of Her Head poster
5.5

This is a story about a man, who lives above an older Hindi man, who lives above a delinquent British man, who lives above a girl. It is the back of her head that he is in love with.

The Back of Her Head

2007

The Back of Her Head poster
5.5

This is a story about a man, who lives above an older Hindi man, who lives above a delinquent British man, who lives above a girl. It is the back of her head that he is in love with.

The Back of Her Head

2007

The Back of Her Head poster
5.5

This is a story about a man, who lives above an older Hindi man, who lives above a delinquent British man, who lives above a girl. It is the back of her head that he is in love with.

The Back of Her Head

2007

Alberto Live in a Bathroom poster
NR

A man lives in a bathtub. He goes out for the day, then returns.

Alberto Live in a Bathroom

2004

Alberto Live in a Bathroom poster
NR

A man lives in a bathtub. He goes out for the day, then returns.

Alberto Live in a Bathroom

2004

Lose Her Island poster
NR

A 5-minute found-footage collage by Josh Safdie that overlays narration from an old Jacques Cousteau documentary about fighting elephant seals onto a broadcast of George Foreman vs. Evander Holyfield, reframing the prizefight as a nature spectacle and blurring lines between sports viewing and wildlife observation.

Lose Her Island

2012

Deep Cuts poster
NR

A love story about two music-obsessed twenty-somethings navigating the messy realities of ambition, belonging and adulthood over the course of an era-defining decade.

Deep Cuts

—