This week’s big release is The Smashing Machine, a biopic starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt directed by Benny Safdie. In honor of its release, this week’s binge looks at five other projects featuring or from Safdie. Selections appear in chronological order.

Good Time (2017)
About: An early A24 film from Safdie and his brother, Josh, who co-directed. Josh co-wrote the script and Benny starred alongside Robert Pattinson. This has become something of a cult classic.

Uncut Gems (2019)
About: Another directorial effort, this one with his brother and a hard-bitten crime drama set in New York. Adam Sandler earned accolades for his work in the lead role, but this received a somewhat mixed reception.

Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret (2023)
About: You probably don’t think kid’s films when you think of Benny Safdie. He’s a supporting player here, serving as Margaret’s dad. But it was an interesting role in a movie I kind of enjoyed.

The Curse (2024)
About: Safdie co-wrote this one with Nathan Fielder, with both starring in this limited series on Showtime alongside Emma Stone. This was weird and wild. It is certainly a big swing.

Happy Gilmore 2 (2025)
About: Just this summer Safdie joined the sequel to this Adam Sandler classic. Many didn’t feel it lived up to the first, but Safdie was pretty funny in the villain role.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.