It’s no secret that a lot of big filmmakers sometimes take breaks from the grueling production schedules of feature films to helm commercials for television. Of course folks like David Fincher, Spike Jonze, and Michael Bay got their start directing commercials, and they’ve been happy to return to the medium despite finding success in the world of movies. Hell, Fincher finished Gone Girl early so he took some time last year to helm a series of fantastic Gap commercials like it was nothing.
But today some commercials have surfaced from a filmmaker whom you might not immediately connect with the world of TV ads: Bennett Miller. The guy has only directed three narrative movies—Capote, Moneyball, and Foxcatcher—but they’ve all been phenomenal, so there’s no question about his talent. However, who knew Miller was also funny?
The filmmaker recently helmed a series of commercials for the toilet paper company Quilted Northern, and they are downright hilarious. I won’t spoil the concept here, but it’s a brilliant, somewhat twisted take on how to sell toilet paper. I don’t know what kind of movie Miller will make next, but now I kind of what to see him do a dark comedy. Judging by these ads, he could knock it out of the park.
