Leigh Whannell

Born:17. jaanuar 1977

Place of Birth:Melbourne, Australia

Known For:Writing

Biography

Leigh Whannell, an Australian filmmaker and actor, has left an indelible mark on the horror genre with his unique storytelling and visionary approach to filmmaking. Born on January 17, 1977, Whannell is best known for his collaboration with his friend and fellow filmmaker, James Wan. Together, they have created some of the most iconic horror films of the past two decades.

Whannell's writing credits include the groundbreaking film "Saw" (2004), which kickstarted a successful franchise that has captivated audiences worldwide. His contributions to the horror genre continued with films like "Dead Silence" (2007), "Insidious" (2010), and "Insidious: Chapter 2" (2013), all of which he penned with a keen eye for suspense and terror.

In addition to his writing talents, Whannell stepped into the director's chair with "Insidious: Chapter 3" (2015), showcasing his ability to craft a chilling and atmospheric film that resonated with both critics and audiences. He continued to build on this success with his directorial efforts in "Upgrade" (2018), "The Invisible Man" (2020), and the highly anticipated "Wolf Man" (2025).

Whannell's creative partnership with James Wan has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of modern horror cinema. Together, they co-created the "Saw" franchise, with Whannell not only writing the films but also making memorable appearances as the character Adam Stanheight in several installments. Their collaboration extended beyond the big screen, with Whannell's involvement in the "Saw" video game (2009) and the film "Cooties" (2014) as a co-writer.

As a filmmaker, Whannell has demonstrated a knack for blending psychological tension with visceral thrills, creating a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. His ability to craft compelling narratives and evoke genuine scares has solidified his reputation as a master of horror storytelling.

Beyond his work in the horror genre, Whannell's talents extend to his on-screen performances, where he brings depth and intensity to his roles. His portrayal of Adam Stanheight in the "Saw" franchise remains a standout, showcasing his ability to inhabit complex and emotionally charged characters.

With a career marked by innovation and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of genre filmmaking, Leigh Whannell continues to captivate audiences with his distinct voice and unparalleled vision. As he continues to explore new storytelling avenues and push the limits of cinematic horror, Whannell remains a formidable force in the world of filmmaking.

Images

Filmograafia

Näitlemine

Saw

Adam Faulkner-Stanheight

2004

Two men wake up to find themselves shackled in a grimy, abandoned bathroom. As they struggle to comprehend their predicament, they discover a disturbing tape left behind by the sadistic mastermind known as Jigsaw. With a chilling voice and cryptic instructions, Jigsaw informs them that they must partake in a gruesome game in order to secure their freedom.

Wolf Man

Dan (voice)

2025

With his marriage fraying, Blake persuades his wife Charlotte to take a break from the city and visit his remote childhood home in rural Oregon. As they arrive at the farmhouse in the dead of night, they're attacked by an unseen animal and barricade themselves inside the home as the creature prowls the perimeter. But as the night stretches on, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable.

The Matrix Reloaded

Axel

2003

Six months after the events depicted in The Matrix, Neo has proved to be a good omen for the free humans, as more and more humans are being freed from the matrix and brought to Zion, the one and only stronghold of the Resistance. Neo himself has discovered his superpowers including super speed, ability to see the codes of the things inside the matrix and a certain degree of pre-cognition. But a nasty piece of news hits the human resistance: 250,000 machine sentinels are digging to Zion and would reach them in 72 hours. As Zion prepares for the ultimate war, Neo, Morpheus and Trinity are advised by the Oracle to find the Keymaker who would help them reach the Source. Meanwhile Neo's recurrent dreams depicting Trinity's death have got him worried and as if it was not enough, Agent Smith has somehow escaped deletion, has become more powerful than before and has fixed Neo as his next target.

Aquaman

Cargo Pilot

2018

Half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry is taken on the journey of his lifetime to discover if he is worth of being a king.

Insidious: The Red Door

Specs

2023

To put their demons to rest once and for all, Josh Lambert and a college-aged Dalton Lambert must go deeper into The Further than ever before, facing their family's dark past and a host of new and more horrifying terrors that lurk behind the red door.

Insidious

Specs

2011

A family discovers that dark spirits have invaded their home after their son inexplicably falls into an endless sleep. When they reach out to a professional for help, they learn things are a lot more personal than they thought.

Saw III

Adam Stanheight

2006

Jigsaw has disappeared. Along with his new apprentice Amanda, the puppet-master behind the cruel, intricate games that have terrified a community and baffled police has once again eluded capture and vanished. While city detective scrambles to locate him, Doctor Lynn Denlon and Jeff Reinhart are unaware that they are about to become the latest pawns on his vicious chessboard.

Insidious: The Last Key

Specs

2018

Parapsychologist Elise Rainier and her team travel to Five Keys, NM, to investigate a man’s claim of a haunting. Terror soon strikes when Rainier realizes that the house he lives in was her family’s old home.

Saw II

Adam Stanheight (voice) (uncredited)

2005

The chilling and relentless Jigsaw killer returns to terrorize the city once again. When a gruesome murder victim emerges with unmistakable traces of Jigsaw's sinister methods, Detective Eric Matthews is thrust into a high-stakes investigation. To his surprise, apprehending Jigsaw seems almost too easy, but what he doesn't realize is that being caught is merely another piece of Jigsaw's intricate puzzle.

Insidious: Chapter 2

Specs

2013

The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

Insidious: Chapter 3

Specs

2015

A twisted new tale of terror begins for a teenage girl and her family, and revealing more mysteries of the otherworldly realm, 'The Further'.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Jatt (voice)

2010

When a young owl is abducted by an evil Owl army, he must escape with new-found friends and seek the legendary Guardians to stop the menace.

Saw 3D

Adam Stanheight (archive footage) (uncredited)

2010

As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw's brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror.

Lavalantula

Darren

2015

Giant lava breathing tarantulas – Lavalantulas – erupt out of ancient volcanos in the Santa Monica Mountains, raining death and destruction upon Los Angeles. With the City of Angels on the verge of incineration, only a washed up ‘90s action hero actor stands in the way of this monstrous swarm of bloodthirsty creatures who burn their victims alive.

Death Sentence

Spink

2007

Nick Hume is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.

Tootmine

Saw X

Characters

2023

Between the events of 'Saw' and 'Saw II', a sick and desperate John Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer, only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, the infamous serial killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged, and ingenious traps.

Saw

Screenplay

2004

Wolf Man

Screenplay

2025

Insidious: The Red Door

Story

2023

Insidious

Writer

2011

Upgrade

Executive Producer

2018

A brutal mugging leaves Grey Trace paralyzed in the hospital and his beloved wife dead. A billionaire inventor soon offers Trace a cure — an artificial intelligence implant called STEM that will enhance his body. Now able to walk, Grey finds that he also has superhuman strength and agility — skills he uses to seek revenge against the thugs who destroyed his life.

Saw III

Story

2006

Insidious: The Last Key

Producer

2018

Saw II

Writer

2005

Spiral: From the Book of Saw

Executive Producer

2021

Working in the shadow of an esteemed police veteran, brash Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks and his rookie partner take charge of a grisly investigation into murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city’s gruesome past. Unwittingly entrapped in a deepening mystery, Zeke finds himself at the center of the killer’s morbid game.

Insidious: Chapter 2

Story

2013

The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

Saw IV

Characters

2007

Despite Jigsaw's death, and in order to save the lives of two of his colleagues, Lieutenant Rigg is forced to take part in a new game, which promises to test him to the limit.

The Invisible Man

Screenplay

2020

When Cecilia's abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

Insidious: Chapter 3

Characters

2015

A twisted new tale of terror begins for a teenage girl and her family, and revealing more mysteries of the otherworldly realm, 'The Further'.

Saw VI

Executive Producer

2009

Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw's grand scheme is finally understood.

Saw 3D

Characters

2010

Jigsaw

Characters

2017

Law enforcement finds itself chasing the ghost of a man dead for over a decade, embroiled in a diabolical new game that's only just begun.

Dead Silence

Story

2007

Jamie returns to his hometown in search of answers to his wife's murder, which occurred after receiving a weird package containing a ventriloquist dummy named Billy, which may be linked to the legend of ventriloquist Mary Shaw. Destined to find out the truth, Jamie goes to the town of Raven's Fair, where Shaw used to perform and is buried. But Jamie is in for more than he expected.

Saw V

Executive Producer

2008

Following Jigsaw's grisly demise, Detective Mark Hoffman is commended as a hero, but Agent Strahm is suspicious, and delves into Hoffman's past. Meanwhile, another group of people are put through a series of gruesome tests.