Composer
Jóhann Jóhannsson
Born 19 September 1969 · Reykjavík, Iceland — died 9 February 2018
Jóhann Jóhannsson (1969–2018) was an Icelandic composer who blended orchestral writing with electronic textures. He scored theatre, dance and television before becoming a key voice in modern film music, closely tied to director Denis Villeneuve. He also directed one feature, Last and First Men, released after his death.
Key films
Prisoners (2013)
His first score for Denis Villeneuve, setting the brooding, minimalist tone of their later collaborations.
The Theory of Everything (2014)
His most widely honoured score, earning him a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.
Sicario (2015)
Menacing, percussive score that brought him a second Oscar nomination.
Arrival (2016)
Haunting, experimental score for Villeneuve's science-fiction drama, among his best-known work.
Last and First Men (2020)
His only feature as director, a meditative film with his own score, completed before his death.
Key awards
- 2015 Golden Globe: Best Original Score, The Theory of Everything
- 2015 Academy Award nomination: Best Original Score, The Theory of Everything
- 2016 Academy Award nomination: Best Original Score, Sicario
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 34
- 2000The Icelandic DreamComposer
- 2002A Man Like MeComposer
- 2004DísComposer
- 2005Screaming Masterpiece · as SelfActor
- 2006Thicker Than WaterComposer
- 2007Opium: Diary of a MadwomanComposer
- 2008VarmintsComposer
- 2009Personal EffectsComposer
- 2010MamaComposer
- 2012MysteryComposer
- 2012For EllenComposer
- 2012The Miners' HymnsComposer
- 2012White Black BoyComposer
- 2013PrisonersComposer
- 2014The Theory of EverythingComposer
- 2014McCanickComposer
- 2014Blind MassageComposer
- 2014End of SummerDirector
- 2014End of SummerComposer
- 2015SicarioComposer
- 2015I Am HereComposer
- 2016ArrivalComposer
- 2016In the BloodComposer
- 2016A Man ReturnedComposer
- 2017mother!Composer
- 2017LovesongComposer
- 2017Eternal Recurrence: The Score of 'Arrival' · as SelfActor
- 2018MandyComposer
- 2018Mary MagdaleneComposer
- 2018The MercyComposer
- 2018The Butcher, The Whore and the One-Eyed ManComposer
- 2019The Shadow PlayComposer
- 2020Last and First MenComposer
- 2020Last and First MenDirector
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.