| Birth name | Jorge Daniel Espinosa |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 23 March 1977 (age 49) |
| Birth place | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Spouse | Gabriella Borbely |
| Education | Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket |
| Alma mater | National Film School of Denmark |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Years active | 2000–present |
Jorge Daniel Espinosa (born 23 March 1977) is a Swedish film director.[1]
Early life and education
Espinosa was born in Stockholm in 1977. His Chilean parents emigrated to Sweden after the 1973 Chilean coup d'état led by Augusto Pinochet. Espinosa spent his early childhood in several African countries, before his parents separated and his mother brought him back to Sweden.[2] He was raised in the Skogås distrct of the Huddinge Municipality of Stockholm County.[2]
Espinosa recalled having a difficult childhood and being jailed in a juvenile detention center at age 17.[2] At the suggestion of a court psychologist, he was enrolled in the Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket boarding school, which he credits with spurring his interest in filmmaking.[2] He then attended the National Film School of Denmark and graduated in 2003.[1]
Career
His third feature film, Easy Money, was the Swedish film with the most admissions in Sweden in 2010.[3] Espinosa was in talks about directing the film adaptation of Assassin's Creed[4] but was ultimately replaced by Justin Kurzel.
Safe House in 2012 was Espinoza's debut directing an English-language film. Reviews were mixed, but Safe House was a financial success.
He also directed the critically panned[5] Sony's Spider-Man Universe film Morbius (2022).[6][7]
His 2024 film Madame Luna was nominated for Best Nordic Film at the Gothenburg Film Festival.[8] The same year, he co-directed the miniseries The Helicopter Heist.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Bokseren | Student short film |
| 2004 | Babylonsjukan | |
| 2007 | Uden for kærligheden | |
| 2010 | Easy Money | |
| 2012 | Safe House | |
| 2015 | Child 44 | |
| 2017 | Life | |
| 2022 | Morbius | |
| 2024 | Madame Luna | Also writer |
Television
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Den fördömde | Episode #1.1 |
| 2024 | The Helicopter Heist | Miniseries |
Awards and nominations
| Institution | Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels International Film Festival | 2005 | Golden Iris | Babylonsjukan | |
| Golden Raspberry Awards | 2023 | Worst Director | Morbius | |
| Gothenburg Film Festival | 2024 | Best Nordic Film | Madame Luna | |
| Guldbagge Awards | 2010 | Audience Award | Easy Money | |
| International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg | 2007 | Prize of the Ecumenical Jury | Uden for kærligheden | |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | 2011 | Directors to Watch | Easy Money | |
| Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival | 2003 | Best Fiction Film | Bokseren | |
| Warsaw Film Festival | 2007 | Warsaw Award | Uden for kærligheden |
References
- ^ "Daniel Espinosa" (in Swedish). Swedish Film Database. Swedish Film Institute. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ^ Pallas, Hynek (2013-11-10). "En idealist på resa" (in Swedish). Svenska Dagbladet. ISSN 1101-2412. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ Roger, Susanne (19 January 2011). "Tre filmer tävlar om publikens röster" (in Swedish). Filmnyheterna. Swedish Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ^ "Safe House Director Daniel Espinosa in Talks to Helm Assassin's Creed". AMC Theatres. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ Bergeson, Samantha (2022-04-05). "'Morbius' Director Daniel Espinosa Reacts to Bad Reviews: ‘I Have a Lot of Self-Hatred’". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ^ Bergeson, Samantha (16 March 2022). "'Morbius' Director 'Got Scared' for Method Actor Jared Leto During Intense Scene: 'It Was a Bit Spooky'". IndieWire. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ Tolsky, Andy (18 March 2022). "Morbius Director Says Pokémon Was An Inspiration For The Marvel Movie". ScreenRant. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (2024-02-04). "‘Madame Luna’ Review: Human Smuggling Thriller Marks a Surprising Departure — or Return — for ‘Easy Money’ Director". Variety. Retrieved 2025-12-09.