Timothy Sean Durkin (born December 9, 1981) is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter, and producer.[1] Durkin is known for directing the critically acclaimed independent films Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), The Nest (2020), and The Iron Claw (2023). He is also known for directing episodes of the Channel 4 series Southcliffe (2013) and the Amazon Prime Video miniseries Dead Ringers (2023).
Sean Durkin
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Durkin at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival
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| Born | Timothy Sean Durkin (1981-12-09) December 9, 1981 (age 42)
Canada
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| Other names | T. Sean Durkin |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, screenwriter, film producer |
Durkin was born in Canada and moved to England soon thereafter; he was raised in North London and in Surrey until his family moved to Manhattan when he was 12.[2] Durkin graduated from Kent SchoolinKent, Connecticut in 2000,[3] then attended the film schoolatNew York University, where he graduated in 2005 and delivered his thesis film in 2006. He moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2008.[2]
In an interview with Robert K. Elder for the book The Best Film You've Never Seen, Durkin said, “When I make a film, I think about things that scare me. My exploration of those things is to try and wrap my head around them and confront them.”[4] Durkin is a founding member of Borderline Films with fellow directors Antonio Campos and Josh Mond.[5][6] Durkin started his career directing several short films starting with Doris in 2006. His short film, Mary Last Seen won the award for best short film at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival Directors' Fortnight.[7] Durkin adapted the short into his first feature length film, the psychological-thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) which was starred Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, and Sarah Paulson. The film revolves around a woman suffering from paranoia after returning to her family from an abusive cult in the Catskill Mountains. The film premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival where he won the Dramatic Directing Award.[8] The film received positive reviews with Christy Lemire of the Associated Press naming it the best film of 2011.[9]
In 2013, Durkin directed the Channel 4 drama series Southcliffe, starring Sean Harris and Rory Kinnear.[10] His second film, another psychological drama, The Nest (2020) starred Carrie Coon and Jude Law. The film revolves a couple who's marriage dissolves once they move from New York to London. Film critic Richard LawsonofVanity Fair declared the film the best film of the year. The film received six British Independent Film Award nominations including three awards Durkin for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best British Independent Film. Durkin then directed his third film the A24 drama The Iron Claw (2023), starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Lily James. The film is a biography based on the Von Erich family of wrestlers.[11][12]
Durkin participated in the 2012 Sight & Sound critics' poll, where he listed his ten favorite films as follows:[13]
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Doris | Yes | No | No |
| 2007 | The Last 15 | No | No | Yes |
| 2008 | A Long Way Home | No | No | Yes |
| 2010 | Mary Last Seen | Yes | Yes | No |
| Kids in Love | No | No | Yes | |
| 2013 | Karaoke! | No | No | Yes |
| 1009 | No | No | Executive | |
| 2014 | Tzniut | No | No | Executive |
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Martha Marcy May Marlene | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2020 | The Nest | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2023 | The Iron Claw | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Executive producer
Producer
| Year | Title | Director | Executive Producer |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Southcliffe | Yes | No | Miniseries |
| 2023 | Dead Ringers | Yes | Yes | 3 episodes |
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | BAFTA TV Award | Best Mini-Series | Southcliffe | Nominated |
| 2021 | British Independent Film Award | Best British Independent Film | The Nest | Pending |
| Best Director | Nominated | |||
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | |||
| 2010 | Cannes Film Festival | SFR Prize | Mary Last Seen | Won |
| 2011 | Un Certain Regard | Martha Marcy May Marlene | Nominated | |
| 2008 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best First Feature | Afterschool | Nominated |
| 2011 | Martha Marcy May Marlene | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | James White | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Sundance Film Festival | Short Filmmaking Award | Mary Last Seen | Nominated |
| 2011 | Grand Jury Prize | Martha Marcy May Marlene | Nominated | |
| Directing Award | Won |