Karyn Kusama

Director
Producer
Writer

After directing Point Blank and Deliverance, John Boorman was offered to direct The Exorcist II. The film became a massive failure, nearly ending his career. Years later, cast and filmmakers discuss its ambition and artistic value.

Play trailer2:10

Boorman and the Devil (2025)

Karyn Kusama was born on 21 March 1968 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She is a director and producer, known for Yellowjackets (2021), Destroyer (2018) and The Invitation (2015). She has been married to Phil Hay since October 2006. They have one child.

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Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
- 14 wins & 25 nominations total

Photos28

+ 22

Known for

Yellowjackets

7.7

TV Series

Director

Destroyer

6.2

Director

2018

The Invitation

6.6

Director

2015

Jennifer's Body

5.6

Director

2009

Credits

IMDbPro

Director

The Terror
7.8
TV Series
- Director
- 2026
Yellowjackets
7.7
TV Series
- Director
- directed by
- 2021–2023
Dead Ringers
6.4
TV Series
- Director
- 2023
The Consultant
6.5
TV Series
- Director
- 2023
The Mysterious Benedict Society
7.6
TV Series
- Director
- 2021
In Treatment
8.2
TV Series
- Director
- 2021
The Outsider
7.6
TV Mini Series
- Director
- 2020
Destroyer
6.2
- Director
- 2018
Halt and Catch Fire
8.4
TV Series
- Director
- 2014–2017
Billions
8.3
TV Series
- Director
- 2016–2017
XX
4.6
- directed by (segment "Her Only Living Son")
- 2017
The Man in the High Castle
7.9
TV Series
- Director
- 2015–2016
Masters of Sex
7.9
TV Series
- Director
- 2016
Casual
7.5
TV Series
- Director
- 2016
Chicago Fire
8.0
TV Series
- Director
- 2015

Producer

Writer

In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos5

Personal details

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

Did you know

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.