Peter Medak, the Hungarian-born director best known for The Changeling and The Krays, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 88. His death was confirmed on Tuesday, closing a career that spanned six decades.
Over that remarkable run, Medak directed 27 feature films, moving between psychological horror, black comedy and crime drama with unusual range. He also worked extensively in television, directing episodes of acclaimed series including Breaking Bad and The Wire.
Peter Medak (Credits: Variety)
Peter Medak’s Career: From The Ruling Class to The Changeling
Medak first made his mark with The Ruling Class, a dark satire that showcased his taste for bold, unconventional material. But it was his 1980 supernatural thriller The Changeling, starring George C. Scott, that became his most enduring film.
The ghost story won eight Genie Awards, including best motion picture, and remains a touchstone of the genre — a slow-burn haunted house tale praised for its atmosphere and restraint rather than cheap shocks.
A decade later, Medak directed the 1990 British gangster drama The Krays, a stylish portrait of London’s notorious twin gangsters. The film earned him the Evening Standard Award for best director and cemented his reputation in British cinema.
A Director Who Never Stood Still
What defined Medak’s career was refusal to settle into one lane. Horror, comedy, crime and prestige television all found a place in his filmography, and he kept working across formats long after many contemporaries had retired.
That versatility is why his passing has resonated across such different corners of film and TV fandom — from horror devotees who treasure The Changeling to crime-film fans who rank The Krays among the best British gangster movies ever made.
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Source: Variety — read the full story there.