Director, Screenwriter, Producer
Joe Carnahan
Joe Carnahan is an American filmmaker renowned for his gritty, high-energy action thrillers that blend sharp dialogue with intense character-driven narratives. Earning early acclaim with his indie debut Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane (1998), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Bio
Joe Carnahan is an American filmmaker renowned for his gritty, high-energy action thrillers that blend sharp dialogue with intense character-driven narratives. Earning early acclaim with his indie debut Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane (1998), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
He gained wider recognition with Narc (2002), a raw crime drama starring Ray Liotta and Jason Patric. Carnahan’s subsequent films, including Smokin’ Aces (2006), The A-Team (2010), and The Grey (2011), showcased his flair for stylized action and complex characters, solidifying his reputation in Hollywood.
In the 2020s, Carnahan continued to expand his filmography with projects like Boss Level (2021) and Copshop (2021).
Most recently, Carnahan directed the newly released Shadow Force (2025), an action thriller starring Kerry Washington and Omar Sy. He also helmed Not Without Hope, a survival drama based on true events, filmed entirely in Malta, featuring Josh Duhamel which is set for release 4th quarter 2025. Additionally, Carnahan is directing the hugely anticipated movie- RIP, a crime thriller starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, set to be released on Netflix this Fall.