Michael Sarnoski

Last updated

Michael Sarnoski
Born
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Alma mater Yale University
Occupations
  • Film director
  • Screenwriter
Years active2021–present

Michael Sarnoski is an American filmmaker, who wrote and directed the films Pig (2021) and A Quiet Place: Day One (2024). For Pig, he received numerous awards and nominations. [1] His next film is The Death of Robin Hood , with a release date not yet announced.

Contents

Early life

Sarnoski grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States and attended the University School of Milwaukee. [2] After graduating in 2006, [3] he went to Yale University, where he majored in art and film. [4]

Career

While at Yale, Sarnoski co-wrote and directed the short film Love for the Dead, set in a zombie apocalypse. [5] Sarnoski met Vanessa Block during the making of the film, and they later collaborated on the 2015 short documentary The Testimony , which Block wrote, produced, and directed while Sarnoski was editor and executive producer. [6] Sarnoski also directed episodes of the TV series Olympia and Fight Night Legacy. [7]

Sarnoski wrote and directed Pig based on a story by him and Block, [8] and Neon released it in theaters in the United States on July 16, 2021. [9] Sarnoski received the National Board of Review Award for Best Directorial Debut and was nominated for the Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Feature and the Independent Spirit Awards' Someone to Watch Award and Best First Screenplay Award. He also received various nominations and wins from dozens of critics associations. [1] The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Pig "subverted the past decade’s uptick of revenge films, ending in an empathetic gesture and emotional appeal rather than a bang", [10] and Creative Screenwriting reported that the film "put Sarnoski on the map as a unique creative voice". [11]

In April 2022, New Regency hired Sarnoski to write and direct a film adaptation of the 2018 graphic novel Sabrina . [1]

John Krasinski, who directed A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II , approached Sarnoski to write and direct A Quiet Place: Day One after another director, Jeff Nichols, exited due to creative differences with Krasinski. [10] Sarnoski wrote the screenplay based on a story by him and Krasinski and directed the film. Paramount Pictures released A Quiet Place: Day One in theaters globally in late June 2024. [12]

Also in 2024, Sarnoski began development on the film The Death of Robin Hood , based on the legendary outlaw Robin Hood, with production to begin in February 2025. [13] In April 2025, while in post-production for The Death of Robin Hood, Sarnoski signed on to write and direct a live-action film adaptation of the video game Death Stranding . [14] By the following September, the film was in active development. [15]

Filmography

Sarnoski's credits
YearTitleMediumCredits
2015 The Testimony Short documentaryEditor; executive producer
2021 Pig Feature filmDirector; screenplay based on story by Sarnoski and Vanessa Block
2024 A Quiet Place: Day One Feature filmDirector; screenplay based on story by Sarnoski and John Krasinski
TBA The Death of Robin Hood Feature filmDirector and screenwriter

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryWorkResultRef.
Austin Film Critics Association Awards January 11, 2022 Best First FilmPigWon [16]
Best Original Screenplay Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards December 15, 2021 Best Original Screenplay Nominated [17]
Milos Stehlik Breakthrough FilmmakerWon
Directors Guild of America Awards March 12, 2022 Outstanding Directing – First-Time Feature Film Nominated [18]
Gotham Awards November 29, 2021 Best Feature Nominated [19]
Independent Spirit Awards March 6, 2022 Best First Screenplay Won [20] [21] [22]
Someone to Watch Award Nominated
National Board of Review December 2, 2021 Best Directorial Debut Won [23] [24]
Online Film Critics Society Awards January 24, 2022 Best DebutNominated [25]
Best Original Screenplay Won
San Diego Film Critics Society January 10, 2022 Best Original Screenplay Nominated [26]
Seattle Film Critics Society January 17, 2022 Best ScreenplayNominated [27]
St. Louis Film Critics Association December 12, 2021 Best Original Screenplay Nominated [28]
Astra Midseason Movie Awards July 3, 2024 Best HorrorA Quiet Place: Day OneWon [29]
Saturn Awards February 2, 2025 Best Horror Film Nominated [30]


References

  1. 1 2 3 Kroll, Justin (April 21, 2022). "'Pig' Director Michael Sarnoski To Write And Direct Adaptation Of Graphic Novel 'Sabrina' For New Regency". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  2. ↑ Parquette, Archer (June 21, 2024). "Q&A: Milwaukee Native Michael Sarnoski on Directing 'A Quiet Place: Day One'". Milwaukee Magazine . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Congratulations to Michael Sarnoski '06, director and co-writer of the feature film "Pig", which recently debuted at theatres nationwide..." facebook.com. University School of Milwaukee. July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Michael Sarnoski". festival-deauville.com. Festival du Cinéma Américain de Deauville. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  5. ↑ Membis, Liane (February 23, 2010). "Zombies attack, fall in love". Yale Daily News . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  6. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (July 19, 2021). "'Pig' Producer Vanessa Block on Nicolas Cage's Elusive Magic and the Film's 'Ghost of the Feminine'". Collider . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  7. ↑ Shafer, Ellise (January 11, 2022). "'Pig' Helmer Michael Sarnoski to Direct Next 'A Quiet Place' Installment for Paramount". Variety . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  8. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (March 26, 2020). "Neon Wins Domestic Rights to Nicolas Cage Revenge Thriller 'Pig' (exclusive)". Variety . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  9. ↑ Shanfeld, Ethan (August 2, 2021). "Nicolas Cage's 'Pig' to Get Digital Release in August". Variety . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Davids, Brian (July 1, 2024). "How Michael Sarnoski Added a Touch of 'Pig' to 'A Quiet Place: Day One'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  11. ↑ Swinson, Brock (June 27, 2024). "'Writing is Discovery & Problem Solving': Michael Sarnoski on Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One". Creative Screenwriting. ISSN   1084-8665 . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  12. ↑ "A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)". The Numbers . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ Lang, Brent (May 3, 2024). "Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer Starring in 'The Death of Robin Hood'". Variety . Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  14. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 7, 2025). "'A Quiet Place: Day One' Helmer Michael Sarnoski To Direct Adaptation Of Popular Video Game 'Death Stranding' For A24 And Kojima Productions". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  15. ↑ Evans, Sophie (September 17, 2025). "Death Stranding Movie Gets 'Very Positive' Update From Producer After 3 Years". Screen Rant . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  16. ↑ Partridge, Jon (January 11, 2022). "The 2021 Austin Film Critics Association Award Winners".
  17. ↑ "The Power of the Dog Leads Chicago Film Critics Association 2021 Awards, Wins Seven Honors". Chicago Film Critics Association. December 15, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  18. ↑ Lewis, Kirsten Chuba,Ryan Gajewski,Hilary (March 13, 2022). "DGA Awards: Jane Campion and 'The Power of the Dog' Take Top Honor". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 12, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ Sharf, Zack (October 21, 2021). "Gotham Awards 2021 Nominations: 'Pig,' 'Green Knight,' 'Passing' Compete for Best Feature". IndieWire . Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  20. ↑ Lang, Brent; Tangcay, Jazz (December 14, 2021). "Indie Spirit Awards 2022 Nominations (Updating Live)". Variety . Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  21. ↑ Lang, Brent; Earl, William; Chapman, Wilson (March 6, 2022). "Spirit Awards 2022 Winners: 'The Lost Daughter,' 'Reservation Dogs' Score in Diversity-Focused Ceremony". Variety . Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ Patten, Dominic; D'Alessandro, Anthony; Topel, Fred (March 6, 2022). "Film Independent Spirit Awards: 'The Lost Daughter' Takes Home Best Feature As Netflix Reigns With Six Wins". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  23. ↑ Sharf, Zack (December 2, 2021). "National Board of Review Winners 2021: 'Licorice Pizza' Takes Best Picture and Best Director".
  24. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 2, 2021). "National Board Of Review Names Paul Thomas Anderson & His 'Licorice Pizza' As Best Director & Film".
  25. ↑ Gray, Richard (January 25, 2022). "OFCS: Online Film Critics Society announces 25th Annual Film Awards". The Reel Bits. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  26. ↑ "2021 San Diego Film Critics Society Award Winners". San Diego Film Critics Society. January 10, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  27. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 17, 2022). "The 2021 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  28. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 19, 2021). "The 2021 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  29. ↑ Neglia, Matt (July 3, 2024). "The 2024 Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Midseason Astra Award Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  30. ↑ T, Amber (December 4, 2024). "BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, STRANGE DARLING Lead Saturn Awards Horror Nods". Fangoria . Archived from the original on December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
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