Born as David Andrew Leo Fincher on August 28, 1962, in Denver, Colorado, Fincher was raised in Marin County, California. His parents, Howard Kelly “Jack” Fincher, an author and bureau chief for Life magazine, and Claire Mae, a mental health nurse, instilled in him an early fascination for filmmaking.
Fincher’s interest in filmmaking sparked at a tender age of eight when he started making films with an 8mm camera. His passion for directing was further fuelled when he saw a documentary on the making of ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’. He was captivated by the intricacies of filmmaking and the magic behind the scenes.
Fincher’s journey into professional filmmaking began at the age of 18 when he started working for John Korty at Korty Films in Mill Valley. This stint was followed by a tenure at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), from 1981 to 1983, where he worked on projects like ‘Return of the Jedi’ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’.
After leaving ILM, Fincher directed TV commercials and music videos, eventually signing with N. Lee Lacy in Hollywood. He co-founded Propaganda in 1987, a production company that became a launchpad for many acclaimed directors.
Fincher directed numerous commercials for major brands like Nike, Pepsi, and Levi’s, and music videos for iconic artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson.
Fincher’s big break in the film industry came when he was hired to direct ‘Alien 3’ in 1992. Despite the film’s mixed reception and production issues, it marked the beginning of Fincher’s illustrious career in Hollywood.
Following ‘Alien 3’, Fincher directed the critically acclaimed thriller ‘Se7en’ in 1995, which was a commercial success and solidified Fincher’s reputation as a master of suspense. This was followed by other successful films like ‘The Game’ in 1997 and ‘Fight Club’ in 1999.
As an auteur filmmaker, Fincher’s films often explore themes of alienation, martyrdom, and the dehumanization of modern culture. His visual style is distinctive, using monochromatic and desaturated colors, detailed shadows, and minimal light.
In 2002, Fincher directed ‘Panic Room’, a thriller that was both a critical and commercial success. His 2007 film ‘Zodiac’, based on the real-life Zodiac Killer, was also well received.
Fincher’s ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ (2008) was a massive hit, earning thirteen Academy Award nominations and winning three. His film ‘The Social Network’ (2010) received eight Academy Award nominations and won three.
In 2011, Fincher directed ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’, a psychological thriller that was a commercial success and received five Academy Award nominations.
In addition to his film work, Fincher has also made significant contributions to television. He served as an executive producer and director for the Netflix series ‘House of Cards’ and ‘Mindhunter’, both of which received critical acclaim. He also produced the animated series ‘Love, Death & Robots’.
His most recent film, ‘Mank’ (2020), received ten Academy Award nominations and won two. Currently, Fincher is working on an adaptation of the graphic novel ‘The Killer’ for Netflix, with Michael Fassbender attached to star.
David Fincher’s cinematic brilliance, uncompromising vision, and relentless pursuit of perfection have established him as a true master of modern cinema. His diverse body of work, from music videos and commercials to critically acclaimed films and TV series, has left an indelible mark on the industry. His unique storytelling style, attention to detail, and ability to push the boundaries of conventional cinema ensure that his work will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.