Before becoming an acclaimed feature film director, Todd Haynes started off as a screenwriter and short film director, and with so many features now under his belt, the quality of Haynes’ films has been shown to differ. Beginning his film career back in 1978 with the short film The Suicide, Haynes began making a name for himself in Hollywood. But it wasn’t until 1991 that he wrote and directed his first feature film, Poison. Since then, Haynes has become a Hollywood staple, his films ranging in their thematic explorations — from gender politics to popular musicians.
Haynes’ past work has led to considerable acclaim and the writer-director has made a myriad of films that touch upon a multitude of rich themes and intriguing visuals that elevate the storytelling. From his first film to his most recent true story, May December, the director has evolved as a filmmaker and, while not every one of his films is memorable in their execution, each one of Haynes’ movies has something unique to offer audiences, making him one of Hollywood’s most exciting directors working today.
10
Poison (1991)
An Anthology Movie About Sexuality And Isolation
Unlike many of Haynes’ future films, Poison was very experimental. It didn’t tell one cohesive narrative, but split its story into three different parts. Based on themes of sexuality and isolation, the movie is broken into three different stories. The first is a mockumentary-style story about a young boy taking revenge on his abusive father. The second story is a take on 1960s sci-fi B movies, following a scientist who experiments with a drug called “human sexuality.” The final story is a gritty prison drama about an inmate falling for another convict.
While it was not well-received initially, the bold movie has since gotten better reviews. But despite good cinematography and an intriguing premise, Poison doesn’t quite come together. Still, the film and its themes showcase Haynes’ potential as a filmmaker, serving as a hint at what he could do with a bigger budget. It is also seen as a hugely influential movie in the “queer new wave” cinema of the era.
9
Velvet Goldmine (1998)
A Look At A Fictional Rock Star
Another one of Todd Haynes’ movies that is focused on a musician, though this time it’s actually a fictional one, Velvet Goldmine follows a journalist (Christian Bale) who writes about a former glam rock star (Jonathan Rhys Myers) after he retires from the spotlight. The movie is inspired by Citizen Kane as it explores this enigmatic figure through interviews with the people who were closest to him, trying to shed light on who he really was.
Haynes also co-wrote the film, which is great visually, exploring the glam rock era with gusto. The movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Costume Design, which still stands as the most exciting aspect of the project. Velvet Goldmine is a slow-burn and somewhat fractured in its storytelling. Ironically, given the premise, it never finds anything interesting to say about its main character, lacking the fascinating character development that Haynes’ movies would later become known for.
8
Wonderstruck (2017)
A Drama Based On The Book By Brian Selznick
Wonderstruck tells an alternating story set 50 years apart. The first story is set in 1927 and stars A Quiet Place cast member Millicent Simmonds as a deaf girl who comes to New York City to search for a famous actor. The second story is set in 1977 and follows a young boy who runs away from home in order to find his father.
Wonderstruck is good at bringing everything together in the end, connecting the disparate timelines in a way that is narratively satisfying.
The film reunites Haynes with Julianne Moore, who has collaborated with him on several films dating back to the 90s. Wonderstruck is good at bringing everything together in the end, connecting the disparate timelines in a way that is narratively satisfying. The story starts out too slow, however, and the film’s tone tends to shift, but Haynes’ focus on two children makes for a moving story that differs from his adult-centric movies while still being rich in themes.
7
Dark Waters (2019)
Environmental Political Thriller Based On A True Story
Todd Haynes tackles a legal drama with Dark Waters, as Mark Ruffalo’s lawyer, Robert Bilott, goes up against DuPont, a manufacturing corporation that contaminated the local drinking water. Putting his successful career as a high-power attorney at risk, Bilott decides to take on his former client and bring them to justice for their harmful corruption.
Though Dark Waters is based on a true story and is important in its take and premise, it’s also one of the director’s least interesting in terms of execution. Perhaps it’s because the legal drama is a bit too by the book, though it’s powered by a fantastic cast. Still, Haynes is able to explore complexity within the narrative, especially as it exposes corporate greed and its effects on people and their communities. In the end, it is a solid legal thriller that feels like it could have been made by someone else rather than feeling like a Todd Haynes movie.
6
Safe (1995)
A Psychological Drama About A Woman’s Mysterious Illness
Suspenseful and dark, Julianne Moore gives an exceptional performance in Safe as a paranoid woman who is affected by her surroundings. A nosebleed, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms begin to impact her daily life, but no one really seems to care. However, she is determined to escape her ailment, setting a new path for herself and leaving her old life behind.
Safe is Moore’s first collaboration with Haynes, and the film speaks to the isolation from society when illness occurs, and the burden that comes with it. Safe is simultaneously terrifying and unsettling, and Haynes once again grapples with pertinent themes that remain relevant. The film isn’t interested in giving direct answers, but that makes the journey Moore’s character takes all the more fascinating and thought-provoking.
5
I’m Not There (2007)
A Star-Studded Bob Dylan Biopic
Todd Haynes has long been fascinated with musicians, and his films have centered them in a few instances, including in I’m Not There. The biopic follows several versions of Bob Dylan, each played by different actors — including Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw, and Cate Blanchett in an Oscar-winning role. Each version of Dylan explores the iconic musician at a different stage in his career or from a different perspective as seen by the public.
While the film itself is a biopic, its experimental nature doesn’t follow a traditional format. It is especially interesting to watch following A Complete Unknown exploring Bob Dylan in a much more conventional way. Dylan’s life is shown through a distinctive lens, even though the real-life singer only appears in concert footage, which turns I’m Not There into one of Haynes’ more unique outings as a filmmaker.
4
The Velvet Underground (2021)
A Documentary Featuring The Influential Rock Band
Todd Haynes continues his exploration of musicians with The Velvet Underground, which follows the surviving members of the 1960s rock band. The Velvet Underground wasn’t necessarily popular when they first came on the scene, but the documentary highlights their impact on the genre, as well as how they got together and what led to their break-up. With a mix of archival footage and new interviews, it is an in-depth exploration of the band.
The film leaves no doubt as to the rock band’s influence as it fully embeds viewers into their world and history.
The Velvet Underground makes audiences truly feel something while watching, and Haynes employs visuals and sound to bring everything together. Given Hayes’ exploration of rock stars, both real and fictional, in his other narrative movies, it is fascinating to see him explore the subject in documentary form. The film leaves no doubt as to the rock band’s influence as it fully embeds viewers into their world and history.
3
Far From Heaven (2002)
A Period Drama Set In 1950s Suburbs
Far from Heaven is certainly one of Todd Haynes’ more memorable and engaging films. It touches upon broad and crucial themes, while also being a personal story. Set in the 1950s, Far from Heaven follows Cathy Whittaker (Moore), a woman who’s trying her best to be everything society demands of her — a good wife and mother, especially. But her life changes when she discovers her husband (Dennis Quaid) is gay, and she strikes up a friendship with the son of her old gardener (Dennis Haysbert).
The movie also earned Hayes his only Oscar nomination to date for the film’s screenplay.
The film tackles conversion therapy, racism, and ostracization. Haynes brings everything together by exploring the story through the look and feel of a 1950s melodrama. He brings the period to life in an engrossing way, making it feel like a lived-in reality rather than an imagined look back in time. Moore gives a powerful and heartbreaking performance that led to her being nominated for an Oscar. The movie also earned Hayes his only Oscar nomination to date for the film’s screenplay.
2
May December (2023)
An Actress Examines The Marriage Of A Scandalous Couple
Loosely based on the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau, May December is an unsettling examination of power, exploitation, and sexual politics. Julianne Moore stars as a woman who became an infamous tabloid feature after she had an affair with an underage boy. Decades later, Moore and Charles Melton play the couple who have built a life together after the scandal only for it to be brought back up when a famous actress (Natalie Portman) comes to research Moore for an upcoming movie based on the affair.
Haynes balances the darker elements with some humor without moving away from the discomfort that is so deeply embedded in the narrative. The film boasts a stellar cast with Melton ultimately stealing the show in a nuanced and emotionally effective performance. Not only does May December tackle the disconcerting themes well, but it also lets audiences sit in the feelings they stir up. It might not come to any specific conclusions, but its exploration of the situation is top-notch.
1
Carol (2015)
A Forbidden Love Affair Set In The 1950s
Revered by many as a modern masterpiece, Carol is a tender and understated drama. Based on The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, Carol follows two women — played by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — who begin having an affair in the 1950s. It’s a romantic story that is nuanced and thoughtfully told. Carol is compelling and lovely, tackling themes of denial and desire in equal measure. Haynes and screenwriter Phyllis Nagy craft a stunning film, one that is bolstered by extraordinary cast performances.
The movie holds similarities to other works from Hayes, particularly Far From Heaven, but feels like a much more in-depth and intimate look at the subject of forbidden love, prejudices, and unhappiness. Blanchett and Mara are especially exquisite, grounding the film’s love story and providing further dimensions to their characters.
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