Yorgos Lanthimos Reveals the Film That Left Him in Awe

Yorgos Lanthimos has built a reputation for shaking up audiences, always pushing the envelope and leaving a lasting impression. Even years after watching Dogtooth, its wild take on control and manipulation still lingers in the mind. As Lanthimos moved into English-language projects like The Lobster and The Favourite, he managed to keep his signature offbeat style, just on a bigger stage. By working with big-name stars like Emma Stone, he’s shown that unconventional storytelling can still find a wide audience, especially when it ’s laced with a playful edge. Even the darkest moments in his movies are shot through with a strange sense of humor, keeping viewers guessing and fully engaged.

It might seem hard to impress a filmmaker with such a unique vision, but there’s one recent movie that truly caught Lanthimos off guard. In a conversation with Variety, he shared how the Safdie brothers ’ Uncut Gems left him both fascinated and a little envious. The crime thriller, which made a huge splash for the Safdies, drew high praise from Lanthimos:

The rhythm is relentless, the sound too, I would even dare say that it’s like watching a Robert Altman film that was dipped in acid. But all that can’t describe the film accurately either. Ben and Josh have created their own complete world – as they usually do – within a real world, that of Diamond District in New York.

Uncut Gems: A World of Its Own

Lanthimos was blown away by the bold choices the Safdie brothers made, and how well they paid off. He said,

The balance they achieved between the naturalistic and the heightened elements is masterful. I was always impressed – frankly jealous – by their casting skills and instincts. They manage to create a seamless cast of characters by working with people that have never acted before all the way to veteran actors that in the end seem that they were meant to be part of the Safdies’ universe.

The film’s cast, from Julia Fox’s breakout debut to Adam Sandler’s unexpected turn, brought a raw energy that made the story pulse with life. The Safdies took real risks, but the result was a high-voltage ride through the chaos of ambition and greed.

Adam Sandler’s Standout Performance

Uncut Gems also served as a reminder of Adam Sandler’s dramatic range. Lanthimos didn’t hold back his praise:

It’s one of Adam Sandler’s best performances – along with Punch Drunk Love and The Meyerowitz Stories – proving once more he’s a truly great actor but also the perfect choice to play this character.

He went on to say,

Because from within Ben and Josh’s unique style and cinematic voice, it’s the human element that stands out and makes everything fall into place, the flawed characters that we love, even in their most embarrassing moments.

Sandler’s portrayal, set against the Safdies’ intense direction, created a character that was both deeply flawed and impossible to look away from.

The Power of Bold Filmmaking

It’s not every day that a director as inventive as Lanthimos admits to feeling a twinge of jealousy, but Uncut Gems managed to do just that. The film’s relentless energy, daring casting, and unforgettable performances left a mark even on one of cinema ’s most original minds. Somewhere out there, maybe there’s a version of Uncut Gems with Lanthimos at the helm—but the Safdie brothers’ vision is one that’s hard to top.