Nicolas Winding Refn
Biography
Nicolas Winding Refn is a Danish film director, screenwriter, and producer who was born on September 29, 1970, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Known for his work in directing, he directed the Pusher trilogy between 1996 and 2005, the crime drama Bronson in 2008, and the adventure film Valhalla Rising in 2009. In 2011, he directed the action drama film Drive, earning the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Director and a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Direction. His later films include the stylistically driven action film Only God Forgives in 2013 and the psychological horror film The Neon Demon in 2016. In 2019, he directed his first television series, Too Old to Die Young.
Career overview
Nicolas Winding Refn is a Danish film director, screenwriter, and producer who was born on September 29, 1970, in Copenhagen, Denmark. His directorial work spans multiple feature films and television projects. He directed the Pusher trilogy released between 1996 and 2005, the crime drama Bronson in 2008, and the adventure film Valhalla Rising in 2009.
In 2011, he directed the action drama film Drive. For this film, he won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Director and received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Direction. His later film releases include the stylistically driven action film Only God Forgives in 2013 and the psychological horror film The Neon Demon in 2016.
In 2019, he directed his first television series, Too Old to Die Young, which premiered on Amazon. Across his career, he has accumulated numerous known credits in the film and television industries.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
73 titles- Her Private Hell (2026) Director
- Her Private Hell (2026) Producer
- Her Private Hell (2026) Screenplay
- THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN (2026) as Self
- Satellites II (2026)
- Satellites II (2026) Writer
- Satellites II (2026) Director
- Big Trouble on Billycock Hill (2025) Executive Producer
- Dario Argento: Panico (2024) as Self
- Beauty Is Not a Sin (2024) Director
- Beauty Is Not a Sin (2024) Writer
- The Famous Five (2023) Executive Producer
- The Famous Five (2023) Creator
- Copenhagen Cowboy (2023) as Jørgen
- Copenhagen Cowboy (2023) Director
- Copenhagen Cowboy (2023) Creator
- Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds (2023) as Self
- Circus Maximus (2023) Director
- Copenhagen Cowboy: Nightcall with Nicolas Winding Refn (2023) as Self
- Touch of Crude (2022) Director
- Touch of Crude (2022) Writer
- Inferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess (2021) as Presenter
- Too Old to Die Young (2019) Executive Producer
- Too Old to Die Young (2019) Writer
- Too Old to Die Young (2019) Director
- Too Old to Die Young (2019) Creator
- Rematch (2019) Director
- Vidéo Club (2018) as Self
- The Neon Demon (2016) Screenplay
- The Neon Demon (2016) Director
- The Neon Demon (2016) Producer
- The Neon Demon (2016) Story
- Metal Gear Solid: Legacy (2015) as Self
- My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (2015) as Self
- Sorcerers: A Conversation with William Friedkin and Nicolas Winding Refn (2015)
- Dying of the Light (2014) Executive Producer
- Only God Forgives (2013) Director
- Only God Forgives (2013) Writer
- Jodorowsky's Dune (2013) as Self - Filmmaker
- Black's Game (2012) Executive Producer
- NWR (2012) as Self
- Pusher (2012) as Dutch Bob
- Pusher (2012) Executive Producer
- Drive Without a Driver (2012) as Self
- Drive (2011) Director
- Pusher (2010) Original Film Writer
- Valhalla Rising (2009) Writer
- Valhalla Rising (2009) Director
- Bronson (2009) Director
- Bronson (2009) Screenplay
- Gambler (2006) as Himself (Jang)
- Pusher 3 (2005) Director
- Pusher 3 (2005) Writer
- Chinaman (2005) as The Doctor
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) Director
- Pusher II (2004) Producer
- Pusher II (2004) Screenplay
- Pusher II (2004) Director
- Fear X (2003) Director
- Fear X (2003) Writer
- Bleeder (1999) Screenplay
- Bleeder (1999) Director
- Bleeder (1999) Producer
- Pusher (1996) as Brian
- Pusher (1996) Screenplay
- Pusher (1996) Director
- Pusher (1996) Producer
- Glubsk, Sultens Gud (1990)
- Maniac Cop Director
- Maniac Cop Screenplay
- Maniac Cop Producer
- Witchfinder Producer
- What Have You Done to Solange? Producer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Nicolas Winding Refn best known for?
Nicolas Winding Refn is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Her Private Hell (2026), Her Private Hell (2026), Her Private Hell (2026), THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN (2026).
When and where was Nicolas Winding Refn born?
Nicolas Winding Refn was born on September 29, 1970 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
How many credits does Nicolas Winding Refn have?
Nicolas Winding Refn has accumulated over 73 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1990 to 2026.
What is Nicolas Winding Refn's background in cinema and television?
Nicolas Winding Refn is a Danish film director, screenwriter, and producer who was born on September 29, 1970, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Known for his work in directing, he directed the Pusher trilogy between 1996 and 2005, the crime drama Bronson in 2008, and the adventure film Valhalla Rising in 2009. In 2011, he direc...
Nicolas Winding Refn by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Vidéo Club (2018) as Self — aged about 47
- Copenhagen Cowboy: Nightcall with Nicolas Winding Refn (2023) as Self — aged about 52
- Pusher (1996) as Brian — aged about 25
- Satellites II (2026) — aged about 55
- THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN (2026) as Self — aged about 55
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