The Creative Force of “Poker Face” | Rian Johnson and Tony Tost Bring Bold Storytelling to Broadway Stages – Catch Season Two on Peacock

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Rian Johnson and Tony Tost may not be related, but their careers in film and television have a surprising number of parallels. Both have risen to fame for their intricate storytelling, ability to blend genres, and commitment to surprising audiences with every twist and turn. From Johnson's "Brick," a thriller that became an instant classic, to Tost's "Americana," which explores the murky depths of crime in rural America, these two writers and directors have cemented themselves as industry giants. Most recently, Johnson and Tost have brought their distinct storytelling strengths to Peacock’s "Poker Face," blending Johnson's intricate mystery plotting with Tost's knack for American roots and working-class narratives. Their collaboration helped shape the show's rich world of eccentric characters and offbeat crime stories, anchored by Natasha Lyonne's charismatic lead performance.

Rian Johnson: A Master of Reinventing Genres

Rian Johnson is the creator and executive producer of "Poker Face," bringing his signature mystery storytelling to the series.

As one of Hollywood's most talked-about filmmakers, Johnson is best known for his work on "Looper” and "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." However, perhaps one of his most defining moments came when he flipped the murder mystery genre on its head with the release of "Knives Out." With its sharp wit and brilliant surprises, Johnson's fresh take on the genre made it an instant hit, earning him a slew of accolades and critical acclaim. 

Johnson has been able to apply the lessons he learned in "Knives Out" to "Poker Face." In an interview with Entertainment Magazine about the movie, he said, "The really satisfying payoff at the end is not the reveal of whodunit; it comes after that. It's the dramatic payoff to this protagonist we've been following." This is just as true in his work on the hit Peacock series.

Johnson's journey to success didn't happen overnight. After studying film at the University of Southern California, he started with the 2005 indie film “Brick,” a neo-noir whodunit set in a high school. The film was lauded for its unique blend of teen drama and classic detective story, drawing comparisons to Raymond Chandler's works. 

His next project, "The Brothers Bloom," was another risk: a caper film about con artists that mixed humor, romance, and drama in a way audiences hadn't seen before. Following this, he brought us "Looper," a 2012 science-fiction thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. This film earned him widespread recognition for his ability to combine complex timelines and high emotional stakes within a genre-bending narrative.

And his direction on "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" garnered praise for subverting expectations and challenging the status quo of the iconic franchise. "The ultimate intent was not to strip away – the intent was to get to the basic, fundamental power of myth. And ultimately, I hope the film is an affirmation of the power of the myth of ‘Star Wars’ in our lives," Johnson told Empire magazine.

Then came "Knives Out," a film that redefined the murder mystery genre for a new generation. Johnson combined elements of classic whodunits with biting social commentary, creating a film that felt familiar and fresh. The film's success led to a sequel, "Glass Onion," further cementing Johnson's status as a master of modern storytelling.

All of these experiences reflect his approach to storytelling. He told ScriptMag.com, "It's not illustrating a simplistic thing over and over again; it's taking a look at a complicated thing from many different angles, and that allows you to really use it as fuel for your story."

Tony Tost: The Voice of Complex, Character-Driven Stories

Meanwhile, Tony Tost has also made his mark in film and television. He made his feature directorial debut on the drama film "Americana." On television, he has brought his brand of storytelling to "Longmire” as its writer and producer and "Damnation” as its creator, showrunner, and executive producer. 

Each production told stories of crime, love, and ambition in a uniquely stylized narrative, which suited him perfectly for joining "Poker Face" in its second season. Tost was thrilled to be joining the show in season two. He posted on Instagram, "Still counting my blessings that I’m getting to step in and help make a new season of one of my favorite shows."

A former poet, Tony Tost brings a distinct literary flair to his storytelling, crafting tales grounded in real-world issues and richly layered with emotional depth. His career began in television, where he worked as a writer and producer on "Longmire," a crime drama that resonated with fans for its compelling characters and gripping storylines. 

The show's success helped pave the way for his next project, "Damnation," a period drama set during the 1930s labor movement.

He used this momentum in his film, "Americana." Starring Sydney Sweeney, Halsey, and Eric Dane, the story follows a stolen Lakota ghost shirt as it intertwines the fates of a desperate junkie, a war veteran, and a pair of outlaws in a tense and poetic tale of survival and redemption.

As writers are the genesis of storytelling, Tost gives real consideration when filling the writer's room. In his blog, Practical Screenwriting, he wrote, "In a nutshell, my attitude while looking for writers: I'm trying to create a collective storytelling organism that's uniquely suited to tell this particular TV show's story. This organism will need to have a creative, engaging, hard-working temperament, so the meshing of individual personalities will play a part. This organism should also have a rich and varied trove of experiences — both personal and professional — to draw upon while breaking and discussing episodes." 

The Art of Storytelling: Johnson and Tost's Creative Vision

Both Johnson and Tost share a deep commitment to character-driven storytelling. While Johnson often uses genre elements to shape his narratives, Tost's work is heavily influenced by his literary background, focusing on nuanced personas and the moral dilemmas they face. Despite their different approaches, both filmmakers use their work to challenge conventional expectations.

Regarding their creative process, both Johnson and Tost highly value collaboration. Johnson has spoken about his sense of actors in bringing his words to life. In an interview with TheWrap, he noted, "The thing with writing is that you only have so much real estate in terms of screen time, so I had to make sure all these great characters got their moment and were serviced by the script — for the audience and for myself, I didn't want to shortchange anyone." 

On another note, Tost's work is often rooted in a sense of realism, regardless of the situation. He said (again in his blog Practical Screenwriting), "Just giving lip service to actual real social issues, or presenting half-digested platitudes regarding them, is a pretty cynical and shitty thing to do. It’s unlikely to be persuasive, and it’s also likely to produce shoddy writing."

Looking Ahead: "Poker Face" and Beyond

As both filmmakers continue to evolve, their future projects remain highly anticipated. Johnson, who served as creator, writer, executive producer, and director for "Poker Face," is already working on his next project. "Wake Up Dead Man" (A Knives Out Mystery) promises more high-stakes mysteries and brilliant twists. Meanwhile, Thursdays on Peacock fans can see Tost’s work in Season Two of "Poker Face," for which he served as showrunner and executive producer. 

At Broadway Stages, we're proud to be the production partner of choice for "Poker Face" and the unique creative visions of Rian Johnson and Tony Tost. We can't wait to see what's next from these two incredible storytellers!

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