Buzz
Every now and then, a film surprises us in ways we didn't see coming. Directors often have a unique vision, process, and body of work. However, even the most inventive filmmakers occasionally take a risk and try something completely new, defying all expectations!
Whether the result is brilliant or a flop, numerous filmmakers have ventured into uncharted territory, making films that are drastically different from their usual work. Whether driven by external factors, personal reasons, or a desire for change, these directors have delivered films that caught us completely off guard.
10. Hugo (2011)
Martin Scorsese, known for his expansive range across genres, has often focused on gritty stories set in America's underworld, delving into complex themes like redemption, class, and Catholicism. His iconic crime films, often starring Robert De Niro or Leonardo DiCaprio, include classics like Goodfellas (1990), The Departed (2006), and The Irishman (2019).
In 2011, Scorsese took a bold step away from his usual fare and adapted a children's book into a 3D film set in 1930s Paris. Hugo tells the story of Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield), a young boy living inside the walls of Gare Montparnasse, where he tends to the station's clocks, stays hidden from the authorities, and works to fix a malfunctioning automaton in the attic. There’s no DiCaprio, no De Niro, and no mob scenes here.
So what led to this drastic shift for a director with over 40 years of experience? According to Scorsese himself, his wife suggested making a film that their 12-year-old daughter could watch—and that’s exactly what he did!
9. The Straight Story (1999)
David Lynch might be the least popular Dune director in many eyes, but his reputation as the king of surrealist, dreamlike cinema is undeniable. From revitalizing black and white horror with Eraserhead (1977) to establishing a neo-noir style in Blue Velvet (1986), Lost Highway (1997), and Mulholland Drive (2001), to casting Nic Cage in the crime-romance Wild at Heart (1990), Lynch’s complex, formalist filmmaking is a constant.
So, how does the master of narrative complexity and unreliable storytelling keep things fresh? By creating a film that features none of these elements. The Straight Story follows Alvin (Richard Farnsworth), a WWII veteran who embarks on a 240-mile journey on a John Deere lawnmower to reconcile with his estranged brother.
This film delivers exactly what its title suggests—a straightforward road movie that explores the themes of connection and simple humanity. The Straight Story stands out not only for its grounded narrative but also because it’s the only film by Lynch for which he didn’t write the script. Similar to Scorsese, it was a woman who brought the idea to him—Lynch’s then-girlfriend, Mary Sweeney, wrote the screenplay and played a significant role in his affection for the project.
8. School of Rock (2003)
Richard Linklater is recognized for his innovative works such as A Scanner Darkly (2006) and Boyhood (2014), as well as his thought-provoking adult dramas that delve into philosophy like the Before trilogy (1995-2013) and Waking Life (2001). While Linklater often embraces unique and experimental approaches to narrative and storytelling, he’s not above creating something more conventional for a broad audience to enjoy.
School of Rock is Linklater's only children's musical comedy so far, revolving around the story of Dewey Finn (Jack Black), a rock-obsessed slacker who forms a bond with his class of students while posing as their substitute teacher. From both a narrative and technical perspective, School of Rock may not immediately seem like a Linklater film. Nevertheless, quick-paced editing, inventive shots, and a polished script elevate it to the status of a solid, exemplary piece of filmmaking.
No one—least of all Linklater himself—thought the director was right for the project, with many fearing it would doom the film. However, producer Scott Rudin was persistent, convinced Linklater was the only one who could pull it off, and (thankfully for all of us!) his conviction proved true when he ultimately got his way.
7. Eternals (2021)
Chloé Zhao made a major impact on the film industry in 2020 with her introspective indie hit Nomadland. The film captivated audiences with its unflinching look at life on the fringes of society, merging social realism with evocative and shadowy visuals, casting largely non-professional actors, and featuring a subdued yet powerful performance by Frances McDormand. This movie builds upon the visual and thematic elements of Zhao's earlier works, creating a clear connection from her earlier shorts to her most recent projects.
Her surprising entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Eternals marked a dramatic shift. With a budget of $200 million and an ensemble cast that included stars like Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek, the film operates on a massive scale, featuring grand action sequences and an abundance of CGI. Fans who were hoping for a delicate and introspective superhero drama in the vein of Nomadland were left disappointed, and the critical reaction was swift and harsh.
However, Zhao doesn’t see any distinction between Eternals and her previous films. She considers the movie a natural progression of her style, blending both indie and blockbuster elements to create something entirely unique.
6. Aladdin (2019)
Guy Ritchie rose to fame with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), a gritty London gangster film that turned footballer Vinnie Jones and actor Jason Statham into stars overnight. He solidified his reputation with the critically acclaimed Snatch two years later, and for much of his career, he has built a reputation for transforming some of the UK’s finest acting talent into tough, cockney anti-heroes.
Until 2019, Ritchie’s works consistently explored themes of criminality, traditional masculinity, and the more playful side of extreme violence. Whether set in the rough streets of modern London, immersed in the world of Sherlock Holmes, or venturing through the legend of King Arthur, his films have been characterized by tough, macho characters caught in high-energy, action-driven plots. That is, until Aladdin.
The live-action remake of the 1992 Disney classic Aladdin showcases the vast power of Disney’s financial might. Much like Scorsese and Lynch before him, the opportunity to create something his entire family could enjoy proved too tempting, and Ritchie ultimately gave in to the entertainment giant’s offer. His signature style makes way for more conventional staging and a CGI-heavy aesthetic, which has come to define modern blockbuster cinema—and notably, there’s no cockney slang or tough guys in sight.
5. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Like many Gen X directors still active today, Garth Jennings started in the music video industry, working with legendary bands like Pulp, Blur, and R.E.M. However, his career path has been anything but ordinary. His filmography includes the indie comedy Son of Rambow (2008), the animated musical hit Sing (2016), and its follow-up Sing 2 (2021). Yet, his most prominent achievement remains his adaptation of Douglas Adams’ beloved classic The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
This absurd sci-fi comedy follows Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) as he is plucked from his mundane life in England and thrust into an intergalactic journey. Alongside melancholic androids, two-headed beings, and, of course, space-faring hitchhikers, the film is filled with British humor, an all-star cast, and a deep affection for its source material. It’s the film that should have marked the pinnacle of Jennings’s career.
However, that was not the case. Jennings’s career has since been fragmented, with no project coming close to the essence of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Perhaps it’s because he never truly wanted to make it in the first place; he was already immersed in Son of Rambow and believed the Hollywood machine would taint such a cultural gem. But the script enticed him, and the rest is history.
4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Director Irvin Kershner was once known for his work in human dramas and comedies—quirky films like The Hoodlum Priest (1961) that placed character above spectacle, unlike many of his USC students. That was before a certain George Lucas entered the picture, not only influencing Kershner’s filmmaking but also reshaping his career trajectory.
When the time came for Lucas to shoot the second installment of the Star Wars saga, The Empire Strikes Back, he realized that directing was no longer his calling. Overwhelmed by the daily grind and artistic struggles, he felt disconnected from his original vision. As a result, he turned to his former film instructor for the job.
Lucas provided the story and oversaw the production while Kershner took the reins as director. Together, they rewrote the script and edited the final cut, which resulted in what many consider the best film of the entire Star Wars franchise. However, this success steered Kershner toward big-budget studio films—though he never returned to the world of space adventures.
3. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Few contemporary filmmakers have carved out a niche in the mystery genre quite like Rian Johnson. His debut feature, Brick (2005), relocated neo-noir mystery to a U.S. high school, followed by the heist comedy The Brothers Bloom (2008), the time-travel thriller Looper (2012), and two Knives Out whodunits (2019, 2022). So what made him the right choice to helm one of the largest space blockbusters in history?
The Last Jedi continues the narrative begun by J.J. Abrams in the previous film, The Force Awakens (2015), but it goes in unexpected directions. The movie stunned audiences and critics by upending Star Wars traditions—killing the villain halfway through the trilogy and transforming the supposed hero into something far more flawed.
Although Johnson was confirmed as the director in 2014—well before The Force Awakens hit theaters—he wasn’t initially the top choice. Producer Kathleen Kennedy first reached out to Abrams, hoping he would commit to directing the entire trilogy, but when he declined, she had no choice but to explore other options.
It was rather ironic that Abrams was ultimately persuaded to return and complete the trilogy with The Rise of Skywalker (2019). The film tried to cater to a vocal group of fans who had rejected Johnson's vision. Given all the controversy, it’s understandable that Johnson steered clear of sci-fi projects after that.
2. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2010)
By now, M. Night Shyamalan has become synonymous with unexpected twists. Ever since his groundbreaking surprise in The Sixth Sense (1999), he’s built a career around crafting psychological thrillers and horror films that lead viewers one way, only to surprise them with a sharp turn.
Despite all this, he kept delivering what he does best—except for one misstep when he ventured into the realm of big-budget Hollywood filmmaking with Avatar: The Last Airbender. Not *that* Avatar—we’re talking about the live-action adaptation of the animated series, which fell short of capturing the magic of Aang’s story on the big screen.
Not only did Shyamalan never proceed with the planned sequel, but he hasn’t tackled anything like it since. And there’s a reason for that—the director himself admitted that he took on Avatar largely to escape the harsh criticism he faced for his twist-heavy thrillers, mistakenly trying to 'fit in' with the system and mainstream filmmaking.
1. The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
Before 2018, Eli Roth was synonymous with splatter horror. With films like Cabin Fever (2002), the Hostel series (2005; 2007), and The Green Inferno (2013), Roth made a name for himself by pushing the boundaries of gore and unsettling his audiences. However, in an unexpected turn, he shifted gears to direct a children's fantasy comedy starring Jack Black.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls tells the story of 10-year-old orphan Lewis (Owen Vaccaro), who moves into his eccentric Uncle Jonathan’s (Jack Black) magical home, only to inadvertently awaken the dead. Although this plot may seem far from Roth’s usual fare, the director himself admits that the genre isn’t entirely foreign to him.
Roth revealed that his inspiration came from films like E.T. and Poltergeist, recognizing a connection between the horror films he’s known for and family-friendly fantasy stories. Stephen Spielberg, a fan of Hostel and the founder of Amblin Entertainment, which produced The House with a Clock in Its Walls, agreed with Roth’s vision. Yet, despite these influences, the movie doesn't quite align with Spielberg's typical body of work.
