Scott Derrickson (born July 16, 1966) is an American filmmaker best known for his work in the horror genre and for directing Marvel’s Doctor Strange (2016). He began his career with the direct-to-video film Hellraiser: Inferno (2000) and rose to prominence with The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), which was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $144 million worldwide and earning the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. He continued to make his mark in horror with the highly praised Sinister (2012) and later The Black Phone (2021). His remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), starring Keanu Reeves, further showcased his versatility, earning over $233 million globally.
Raised in Denver, Colorado, Derrickson earned dual BAs from Biola University—one in Humanities with an emphasis in philosophy and literature, and another in communications with a focus on film and a minor in theology. He later completed his graduate studies at the USC School of Cinema-Television. Despite a period where he worked extensively as a script doctor on numerous unproduced screenplays, Derrickson returned to directing with renewed passion and success. His unique blend of theological inquiry, philosophical themes, and supernatural storytelling has established him as a leading voice in genre cinema.
