---
name: "Todd Haynes"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/todd-haynes"
fi1m_id: "todd-haynes"
imdb_id: "nm0001331"
tmdb_id: 16863
wikidata_id: "Q446580"
roles: ["Director","Writer","Producer"]
born: "2 January 1961"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 81
average_as: "director"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-01T23:10:25.133966+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Todd Haynes

## Identity

Todd Haynes

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/todd-haynes
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** todd-haynes
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001331
- **TMDB ID:** 16863
- **Wikidata ID:** Q446580
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Haynes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q446580, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001331/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16863

Director and writer. Born 2 January 1961 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Writer, Producer
- **Born:** 2 January 1961, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Active:** 1995–present
- **Also known as:** 托德·海因斯
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 10: 7 directing, 2 producing, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Christine Vachon](https://film.one/person/christine-vachon.md), [Julianne Moore](https://film.one/person/julianne-moore.md), [Cate Blanchett](https://film.one/person/cate-blanchett.md), [Christian Bale](https://film.one/person/christian-bale.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as director, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 81 (1), 2000s 80 (2), 2010s 81 (6), 2020s 84 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 81 to 76 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Music 2, Romance 2, Comedy 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $82m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Haynes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q446580, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001331/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16863

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Carol*](https://film.one/film/carol.md) (88), [*I'm Not There*](https://film.one/film/im-not-there.md) (74)
- **HBO Max:** [*Enlightened*](https://film.one/tv/enlightened.md) (84), [*Mildred Pierce*](https://film.one/tv/mildred-pierce.md) (70)
- **Netflix:** [*May December*](https://film.one/film/may-december.md) (84)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Todd Haynes

> Todd Haynes makes dressing up, copying a voice and keeping up appearances matter. We rate him highly for the performances he draws out, though his elaborate storytelling sometimes gets between us and the people on screen.

In *May December* (2023), Julianne Moore's Gracie opens a fridge and worries about having enough hot dogs. Marcelo Zarvos's piano treats the shortage as a calamity. We laughed, then felt uneasy that a household built on abuse could look so ordinary. Haynes lets Gracie take her domestic concerns seriously, however absurd the music makes them sound.

Haynes used Barbie dolls in the short *Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story* (1987), before making his feature debut with *Poison* (1991). *Poison* helped define New Queer Cinema. Moore's work with him began on *Safe* (1995), and the partnership remains central to his ability to make difficult behaviour believable. With *Far from Heaven* (2002) and *Carol* (2015), period melodrama brought his work wider attention, while continuing his interest in people constrained by how they are expected to behave.

In *Velvet Goldmine* (1998), that concern becomes the freedom a glam star can offer a fan. Jonathan Rhys Meyers gives Brian Slade's extravagant appearance enough seriousness for the longing behind it to matter. Haynes allows dressing up to look ridiculous and still be worth doing. His screenplay is less assured: the investigation keeps interrupting the people we want to spend time with. James Lyons's editing must manage its changes of direction, and the repeated rearranging becomes fussy; the music and performances earn our recommendation despite it.

*May December* is tighter and nastier about imitation, with Natalie Portman's actress Elizabeth studying Gracie's lisp and mannerisms for a role. Working from Samy Burch's script, Haynes makes their encounters funny without making either woman reassuring company. Christopher Blauvelt's cinematography puts them together in mirrors, making their growing resemblance hard to miss without requiring another explanation. Production designer Sam Lisenco gives Gracie a bright house and a kitchen island from which to preside; the comfortable rooms make her settled self-pity more unpleasant.

We would start with *May December*, particularly for Charles Melton's performance as Joe. It is the drier, crueller Haynes, so do not expect much comfort from the household routines. Keep *Velvet Goldmine* for an evening when the music can excuse a few detours.

## Biography

Todd Haynes is an American film director and screenwriter. He was born on 2 January 1961 in Los Angeles, California.

Haynes first gained attention with the short film *Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story* (1987). His feature debut *Poison* (1991) won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and is regarded as a key work of New Queer Cinema. Subsequent films include *Safe* (1995), *Velvet Goldmine* (1998), *Far from Heaven* (2002), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, *I'm Not There* (2007), *Carol* (2015), *Wonderstruck* (2017), *Dark Waters* (2019) and *May December* (2023). He has also directed the miniseries *Mildred Pierce* (2011) and the documentary *The Velvet Underground* (2021).

Haynes studied at Brown University. He has frequently collaborated with producer Christine Vachon and actress Julianne Moore.

*Sources: imdb.com, latimes.com, apnews.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

### Directed (7) — the average rests on these

- *May December* (2023), Fi1m 84, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/may-december.md)
- *Carol* (2015), Fi1m 88, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/carol.md)
- *Enlightened* (2011), Fi1m 84, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/enlightened.md)
- *Mildred Pierce* (2011), Fi1m 70, Writer, Teleplay, Director, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/tv/mildred-pierce.md)
- *I'm Not There* (2007), Fi1m 74, Story, Director, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/im-not-there.md)
- *Far from Heaven* (2002), Fi1m 87, Director, Writer — [page](https://film.one/film/far-from-heaven.md)
- *Velvet Goldmine* (1998), Fi1m 81, Screenplay, Director, Story — [page](https://film.one/film/velvet-goldmine.md)

### Produced (2)

- *Certain Women* (2016), Fi1m 84, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/certain-women.md)
- *Meek's Cutoff* (2011), Fi1m 82, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/meeks-cutoff.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Still Alice* (2014), Fi1m 77, Thanks — [page](https://film.one/film/still-alice.md)

## Complete filmography (46)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Earthlings* (2025), Executive Producer
- *May December* (2023), Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/may-december.md)
- *Image Book* (2023), Director
- *Cal State Long Beach, CA, January 2020* (2021), Thanks
- *The Velvet Underground* (2021), Writer, Director, Producer
- *Dark Waters* (2019), Director
- *Earthquake Bird* (2019), Thanks
- *Wonderstruck* (2017), Director
- *Certain Women* (2016), Executive Producer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/certain-women.md)
- *Carol* (2015), Director — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/carol.md)
- *Still Alice* (2014), Thanks — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/still-alice.md)
- *Night Moves* (2014), Executive Producer
- *Six by Sondheim* (2013), Director
- *Buoy* (2013), Executive Producer
- *Enlightened* (2011), series, Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/enlightened.md)
- *Meek's Cutoff* (2011), Executive Producer — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/meeks-cutoff.md)
- *Mildred Pierce* (2011), series, Director, Executive Producer, Teleplay, Writer — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/mildred-pierce.md)
- *Wendy and Lucy* (2008), Executive Producer
- *I'm Not There* (2007), Director, Screenplay, Story — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/im-not-there.md)
- *Infinite Pleasure: Todd Haynes on Max Ophuls' Le Plaisir* (2006), as Interviewee
- *Quinceañera* (2006), Executive Producer
- *Old Joy* (2006), Executive Producer
- *Far from Heaven* (2002), Director, Writer — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/far-from-heaven.md)
- *Madame Satã* (2002), Thanks
- *SexTV* (1998), series, Actor
- *Velvet Goldmine* (1998), Director, Screenplay, Story — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/velvet-goldmine.md)
- *Office Killer* (1997), Co-Writer
- *Safe* (1995), Writer, Director
- *Totally F***ed Up* (1994), Thanks
- *Dottie Gets Spanked* (1993), Writer, Director
- *Swoon* (1992), as Phrenology Head
- *Goo* (1991), Director
- *Poison* (1991), Director, Writer, Editor
- *Anemone Me* (1990), Producer
- *La Divina* (1989), Co-Producer, Assistant Director
- *He Was Once* (1989), as Randy · Producer, Production Manager
- *Natural History* (1989), as Child · Producer
- *Muddy Hands* (1988), Producer
- *Cause and Effect* (1988), Producer, Assistant Director
- *American Lunch* (1988), Producer
- *Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story* (1987), as Todd Donovan · Director, Screenplay, Producer, Editor
- *Tommy's* (1985), Producer
- *Assassins: A Film Concerning Rimbaud* (1985), Director
- *A Man in Your Room* (1984), Producer
- *The Suicide* (1978), Director, Screenplay, Producer
- *De Noche*, Director, Writer

## Gallery

- ![Todd Haynes](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-240f77388fe6.jpg) Todd Haynes — Montclair Film, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Todd_Haynes_MFF_2023.jpg/1280px-Todd_Haynes_MFF_2023.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rooney Mara, Todd Haynes and Cate Blanchett during premiere of Carol at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-834e11b3e09d.jpg) Rooney Mara, Todd Haynes and Cate Blanchett during premiere of Carol at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Cannes_2015_18.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Rooney Mara, Todd Haynes et Cate Blanchett lors de la présentation de "Carol" au festival de Cannes (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-792fd3a9d9f8.jpg) Rooney Mara, Todd Haynes et Cate Blanchett lors de la présentation de "Carol" au festival de Cannes (2015) — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Cannes_2015_18_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Presentation ot the film "Wonderstruck" at the Cannes Film Festival (2017)](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-5006cb3cd3fa.jpg) Presentation ot the film "Wonderstruck" at the Cannes Film Festival (2017) — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Cannes_2017_6.jpg/1280px-Cannes_2017_6.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Todd Haynes](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-662d3d86ef49.jpg) Todd Haynes — Image via TMDB
- ![Todd Haynes](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-d6c8b3280f0d.jpg) Todd Haynes — Image via TMDB
- ![Todd Haynes](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-6287542a5db8.jpg) Todd Haynes — Image via TMDB
- ![Presentation ot the film "Wonderstruck" at the Cannes Film Festival (2017)](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-ebb3588ef9e9.jpg) Presentation ot the film "Wonderstruck" at the Cannes Film Festival (2017) — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Cannes_2017_6_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Cannes_2017_6_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Todd Haynes, Christina Tribble und Conrad Tribble, Juli 2012](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-1d9f73aac7ac.jpg) Todd Haynes, Christina Tribble und Conrad Tribble, Juli 2012 — U.S. Consulate General Munich from Germany. Photo: E. Hegerich, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/ConsMunich_Ehepaar_Tribble_und_Filmemacher_Todd_Haynes._%287507853384%29.jpg/1280px-ConsMunich_Ehepaar_Tribble_und_Filmemacher_Todd_Haynes._%287507853384%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Todd Haynes](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-be63f208a5d6.jpg) Todd Haynes — Image via TMDB
- ![Todd Haynes](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-17ac646cfbcb.jpg) Todd Haynes — Image via TMDB
- ![Todd Haynes](https://film.one/media/person/15466/gallery-c1e55e480fe0.jpg) Todd Haynes — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2003: Best Writing, Original Screenplay (nominated), for *Far from Heaven*

### Golden Globes — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2002: Best Screenplay (nominated), for *Far from Heaven*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- 2011: Outstanding Miniseries or Movie (nominated), for *Mildred Pierce*
- 2011: Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special (nominated), for *Mildred Pierce*

### Other awards — 8 won, 11 nominated

- Independent Spirit Awards 2008: Best Director (nominated), for *I'm Not There*
- Grand Jury Prize of the Venice Film Festival 2007: Grand Jury Prize of the Venice Film Festival (won), for *I'm Not There*
- GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award 2003: GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award (won)
- Independent Spirit Awards 2003: Best Director (won), for *Far from Heaven*
- Satellite Award for Best Director 2003: Satellite Award for Best Director (won), for *Far from Heaven*
- Satellite Award for Best Original Screenplay 2003: Satellite Award for Best Original Screenplay (nominated), for *Far from Heaven*
- Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay 2003: Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay (nominated), for *Far from Heaven*
- European Film Award for Best Non-European Film 2002: European Film Award for Best Non-European Film (nominated), for *Far from Heaven*
- New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director 2002: New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director (won), for *Far from Heaven*
- New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film 2002: New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film (won), for *Far from Heaven*
- San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director 2002: San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director (won), for *Far from Heaven*
- Independent Spirit Awards 1999: Best Director (nominated), for *Velvet Goldmine*
- Independent Spirit Awards 1996: Best Director (nominated), for *Safe*
- Independent Spirit Awards 1996: Best Screenplay (nominated), for *Safe*
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director 1995: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director (nominated), for *Safe*
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay 1995: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay (nominated), for *Safe*
- Independent Spirit Awards 1992: Best Director (nominated), for *Poison*
- Independent Spirit Awards 1992: Best First Feature (nominated), for *Poison*
- Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Award 1991: Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Award (won), for *Poison*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/todd-haynes