Knives Out’s Cinematographer Talks About Working With Rian Johnson Since They Were 17

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Rian Johnson is well-known for directing the Knives Out movies. He recently finished the script for the third film, Wake Up Dead Man, which he said was the most challenging one yet. Fortunately, he worked with familiar faces, including cinematographer Steve Yedlin, whom he’s collaborated with since their teenage years. Yedlin recently discussed their long working relationship with TopMob.

Michael Yedlin has collaborated with director Rian Johnson on many projects, including the critically acclaimed film Star Wars: The Last Jedi and the popular mystery series Poker Face (available on Peacock). I recently spoke with Yedlin before the release of Wake Up Dead Man, and he discussed his long-standing professional relationship with Johnson. He shared with me:

I feel very fortunate that he continues to collaborate with me. We’ve known each other and been making movies together since we were teenagers. We both constantly strive to improve and avoid repeating ourselves. Thankfully, he appreciates my contributions, and now he trusts me completely to handle my part of the process.

Working with Rian Johnson seems like a great situation for Steve Yedlin. Because they trust each other and work well together, they both improve, and that collaboration is a key reason why films like the Knives Out series have such a unique and modern look and feel. Plus, Yedlin knows Johnson will probably hire him for future projects, offering a lot of stability.

Rian Johnson doesn’t plan out the Knives Out mysteries completely beforehand, but he consistently works with the same cinematographer. Later, Yedlin explained what makes their collaboration so effective, stating:

He has a clear vision for what the director wants to achieve with the story and how it should ultimately feel. He communicates that overall goal – a sense of grand, impactful emotion – without dictating specific visual references or demanding imitation. Instead, he trusts me to use my own skills and creativity to bring that vision to life in the most compelling way possible. That level of trust is incredibly freeing and allows me to do my best work. When you’re constantly asked to replicate something else, it actually hinders the creative process and makes it harder to achieve a truly original result.

This collaboration really seems to be working well. Rian Johnson provides guidance to Yedlin, but in a way that lets the talented cinematographer bring his own skills and creative ideas to the project. This unique filmmaking approach is probably why their work is consistently so engaging, across different genres and in both television and film. Wake Up Dead Man is a stunning visual experience, offering a distinct look and feel compared to the previous Knives Out movies.

Compared to the first two Knives Out films, which are more playful and over-the-top, Wake Up Dead Man has a darker, more gothic and genuinely creepy atmosphere. The film features some beautiful visuals, particularly the use of light and shadow within the central church location.

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2025-11-28 22:38