Hiro Murai: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Hiro Murai came to television through music video — a Los Angeles-raised, Japanese-born eye shaped by the Gondry/Jonze/Cunningham generation, by his composer father's household, and by the surreal dread of Lynch. This mix traces the lineage from those videos into Atlanta's deadpan nightmares and the LA rap underground that gave him his first canvases, and out to the shows that inherited its tone.

The Kynda mix for Hiro Murai

• Key Influence · Twin Peaks by David Lynch (1990). Murai has repeatedly pointed to Lynch as the template for Atlanta's register: ordinary rooms turned menacing, comedy and horror occupying the same frame without tonal warning. Episodes like "Teddy Perkins" and "The Woods" operate on Lynchian logic — dream-slow pacing, an unsettling house, a threat never fully explained. Twin Peaks' blend of soap, procedural and nightmare is the direct structural ancestor of Atlanta's anthology detours.
• Influencia Obscura · Cure by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (1997). Japanese horror of the Kurosawa strain — dread generated by empty architecture, long static holds, and a camera that refuses to flinch or explain — is the quieter half of Murai's grammar, distinct from the American indie lineage he is usually assigned. Cure's hypnotist plot unfolds in drab institutional rooms that feel haunted by nothing in particular, precisely the atmosphere of Atlanta's most frightening half-hours.
• Local Roots · Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus (2010). The Low End Theory-era Los Angeles beat scene was Murai's home turf: he directed clips for Flying Lotus and worked alongside the same circle of producers, rappers and visual artists orbiting Leimert Park and Lincoln Heights. Cosmogramma's fractured, jazz-steeped maximalism is the sonic equivalent of what Murai was building visually in that period — abstraction made from genre materials, assembled with musicians' instincts.
• Beyond the Medium · Beneath the Roses by Gregory Crewdson (2008). Crewdson's staged, cinematically lit suburban tableaux — single frames implying an entire unsettling narrative — map closely onto Murai's compositional method, where a held wide shot of a lawn or a kitchen does the storytelling. His photographs are built like film sets, with crews and rigging, and they share Murai's conviction that American domestic space is inherently eerie when photographed with enough patience and control.
• Peer · Random Acts of Flyness by Terence Nance (2018). Nance arrived at HBO the same year Atlanta's second season aired, from a comparable background of music videos and experimental shorts, pursuing a parallel project: Black American experience rendered through surrealism and formal rupture rather than realism. Both shows broke the half-hour anthology open. Nance also moved between television and rap video work in the same period, drawing from the same pool of collaborators.
• From the Canon · Atlanta by Hiro Murai (2016). Murai directed the pilot and set the visual language for all four seasons, establishing the grammar everyone else on the show followed: long lenses, available-light night exteriors, sustained wides, scenes that end a beat too late. "Teddy Perkins" and "The Big Payback" show how far he pushed the form, running a comedy series into horror and essay-film territory while keeping the performances naturalistic.
• Key Collaborator · Because the Internet by Childish Gambino (2013). Glover is Murai's defining partner: the two met through music videos years before Atlanta, and Murai directed the clips that built the Childish Gambino visual identity. Because the Internet, with its accompanying screenplay and fragmented internet-age narrative, is the record of the period when that collaboration was forming the sensibility — restless, ironic, melancholy — that would later define Atlanta and Guava Island.
• Legacy · Reservation Dogs by Sterlin Harjo (2021). Harjo's series was developed in Atlanta's wake and follows its template closely: a half-hour comedy about a specific American community that freely swerves into ghost stories, dream logic and near-silent mood pieces, with episodes handed over to single characters. The auteur-driven, visually unhurried FX half-hour that Murai's pilot made possible is the form Reservation Dogs inherited and extended.

What influenced Hiro Murai

• Cure by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (1997). Cure (Kiyoshi Kurosawa) — ghost for Hiro Murai (themoviedb.org)
• Songs from the Second Floor by Roy Andersson (2000). Songs from the Second Floor (Roy Andersson) — culture for Hiro Murai (themoviedb.org)
• Nighthawks by Edward Hopper. Nighthawks (Edward Hopper) — culture for Hiro Murai (wikidata.org)
• Being John Malkovich. Being John Malkovich (Spike Jonze) — titan for Hiro Murai (themoviedb.org)
• Olympus by Kunihiko Murai (1970). Olympus (Kunihiko Murai) — ghost for Hiro Murai “== Early life and education == Hiro Murai was born in 1983 to Japanese popular music composer Kunihiko Murai.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Twin Peaks by David Lynch (1990). Twin Peaks (David Lynch) — titan for Hiro Murai (themoviedb.org)
• Come to Daddy by Chris Cunningham (1997). Come to Daddy (Chris Cunningham) — titan for Hiro Murai
• Beneath the Roses by Gregory Crewdson (2008). Beneath the Roses (Gregory Crewdson) — culture for Hiro Murai

Peers and kindred spirits

• Widow's Bay. Murai directed and executive-produced the series. (also via Guava Island) “his work as an executive producer on the Hulu series The Bear and for executive producing and directing the Apple TV series Widow's Bay” (Wikipedia)
• Queens of the Stone Age by Queens of the Stone Age. The contemporaneous report credits Murai with directing the band’s “Smooth Sailing” video. “Queens of the Stone Age have shared the video for "Smooth Sailing", from 2013's Like Clockwork . It's directed by Hiro Murai” (Pitchfork)
• Gym Class Heroes by Gym Class Heroes. Murai directed the Gym Class Heroes video for “Stereo Hearts.” “2011 " Stereo Hearts " Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine” (Wikipedia)
• Scissor Sisters by Scissor Sisters. The credits identify Murai as director of Scissor Sisters’ “Shady Love.” “Shady Love Scissor Sisters feat. Azealia Banks Director Hiro Murai Released 2012 January 2, 2012” (IMVDb)
• Usher by Usher. The videography credits Murai with directing Usher’s “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love.” “DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love (2010) Usher Director : Hiro Murai Production Company : Partizan” (IMVDb)
• The Shins by The Shins (1996). The Shins’ press release identifies Murai as director of their “It’s Only Life” video. “The Hiro Murai (St. Vincent, Scissor Sisters, Friends) directed video features James Mercer captured by the creature which ominously lurks within the Port Of Morrow cover art designed by Jacob Escobedo.” (Nasty Little Man)
• Lupe Fiasco by Lupe Fiasco. The credits identify Murai as director of Fiasco’s “The Show Goes On.” “The Show Goes On Lupe Fiasco Director Hiro Murai Year 2010 Status Released” (IMVDb)
• David Guetta by David Guetta (1967). Murai discusses developing the video for Guetta’s song “She Wolf (Falling to Pieces).” “The brief was really, really, really open which is super unusual for an artist like Guetta. They wanted to do something kind of narrative” (IMVDb)
• Childish Gambino by Childish Gambino. The videography credits Murai as director of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America.” “This Is America (2018) Childish Gambino Director : Hiro Murai Production Company : Doomsday Entertainment” (IMVDb)
• Adam Levine by Adam Levine. Levine is credited as a featured artist on a video Murai directed. “2011 " Stereo Hearts " Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine” (Wikipedia)
• Donald Glover (2005). The article identifies Glover as Murai’s frequent collaborator on Atlanta. (also via Atlanta) “He rose to prominence with his work on the FX series Atlanta (2016–2022), created by and starring frequent collaborator Donald Glover, on which he served as a director and producer.” (Wikipedia)
• FKA Twigs. Murai directed FKA Twigs’s “sad day” video. “FKA twigs shared the cinematic visuals for "Sad Day" on Friday, the latest single from her album MAGDALENE . Directed by Hiro Murai” (The FADER)
• St. Vincent by St. Vincent (2014). Murai directed St. Vincent’s “Cheerleader” video. “Cheerleader (2012) St. Vincent Director : Hiro Murai Production Company : Bonnie Brae” (IMVDb)
• Earl Sweatshirt. Murai directed music videos for Earl Sweatshirt. (also via Doris) “He has directed music videos for Childish Gambino, Earl Sweatshirt , Chet Faker , and others.” (Wikipedia)
• Chet Faker. Murai directed music videos for Chet Faker. “He has directed music videos for Childish Gambino, Earl Sweatshirt , Chet Faker , and others.” (Wikipedia)
• Emergency Shelter. The episode table credits Murai as director. “9 " Emergency Shelter " Hiro Murai Bobak Esfarjani June 10, 2026 ( 2026-06-10 )” (Wikipedia)
• David Robert Mitchell. Murai was announced as director of a film written by Mitchell. “In June 2018, it was announced that he would direct a science fiction feature film , Man Alive , written by David Robert Mitchell .” (Wikipedia)
• Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The filmography lists Murai as an executive producer of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. “2024 Mr. & Mrs. Smith Yes Yes 2 episodes [ 27 ]” (Wikipedia)
• Rihanna (1988). Rihanna starred in Murai’s feature film Guava Island. “In November 2018, the trailer for his debut feature film Guava Island , starring Donald Glover and Rihanna , premiered at the Pharos Festival in New Zealand.” (Wikipedia)
• Atlanta by Donald Glover (2016). Murai served as a producer and director on Atlanta. “He rose to prominence with his work on the FX series Atlanta (2016–2022), created by and starring frequent collaborator Donald Glover, on which he served as a director and producer.” (Wikipedia)
• We Hope You Enjoyed Your Time!. The episode table credits Murai as director. “10 " We Hope You Enjoyed Your Time! " Hiro Murai Katie Dippold June 17, 2026 ( 2026-06-17 )” (Wikipedia)
• Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer. Murai co-directed a music video with Driscoll-Luttringer. “2005 "Small Apartment Party Epiphany" Make Believe Co-directed with Steve Drypolcher and Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer” (Wikipedia)
• Busdriver. The director filmography credits Murai with a Busdriver video. “2009 "Signs (Armand Van Helden Remix)" Bloc Party "Me-Time" Busdriver” (Wikipedia)
• Maya Erskine. Murai directed episodes of a series starring Erskine. “Murai directed the first two episodes of the 2024 action comedy drama Mr. & Mrs. Smith , starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine .” (Wikipedia)
• The Inaugural Swim. The episode table credits Murai as director. “3 " The Inaugural Swim " Hiro Murai Neil Casey May 6, 2026 ( 2026-05-06 )” (Wikipedia)
• Ace Norton. Murai did cinematography, visual-effects, and storyboarding work for Ace Norton. “After graduation, Murai turned to freelance work as the director of photography for numerous music videos, as well as VFX and storyboarding , most notably for Ace Norton .” (Wikipedia)
• Hayley Williams (2003). Williams is credited as a featured artist on a video Murai directed. “2010 " Airplanes " B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams " DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love " Usher featuring Pitbull” (Wikipedia)
• Chance the Rapper. Murai directed a campaign starring Chance the Rapper. “In 2016, he directed a Nike campaign starring Chance The Rapper .” (Wikipedia)
• Steve Drypolcher. Murai co-directed a music video with Drypolcher. “2005 "Small Apartment Party Epiphany" Make Believe Co-directed with Steve Drypolcher and Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer” (Wikipedia)
• Station Eleven by Patrick Somerville (2021). Murai was an executive producer of Station Eleven. “as a director and executive producer on the HBO limited series Station Eleven (2021–2022)” (Wikipedia)
• Flying Lotus by Flying Lotus. The videography credits Murai as director of Flying Lotus’s “Never Catch Me.” “Never Catch Me (2014) Flying Lotus Director : Hiro Murai Production Company : Doomsday Entertainment” (IMVDb)
• Welcome to Widow's Bay. The episode table credits Murai as director. “1 " Welcome to Widow's Bay " Hiro Murai Katie Dippold April 29, 2026 ( 2026-04-29 )” (Wikipedia)
• The Bear by Christopher Storer (2022). Murai was an executive producer of The Bear. “his work as an executive producer on the Hulu series The Bear and for executive producing and directing the Apple TV series Widow's Bay” (Wikipedia)
• Sia. Sia is credited as a featured artist on a video Murai directed. “" It's Only Life " The Shins " She Wolf (Falling to Pieces) " David Guetta featuring Sia " Chum " Earl Sweatshirt” (Wikipedia)
• Soulsavers. Murai directed a Soulsavers music video. “" Heartless " The Fray "Unbalanced Pieces" Soulsavers "Staying In Love" Raphael Saadiq” (Wikipedia)
• Katie Dippold. Murai directed episodes of the series Dippold created. “Dippold created Widow's Bay (2026), starring Matthew Rhys , Stephen Root and Kate O'Flynn . Some episodes of the series were directed by Hiro Murai .” (Wikipedia)
• Because the Internet by Childish Gambino. Because the Internet (Childish Gambino) — collaborator for Hiro Murai “He is best-known for music videos for Childish Gambino, Earl Sweatshirt, Chet Faker and others.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Jeffrey Eugenides. Murai was announced to direct and produce an adaptation of Eugenides’s book. “In June 2026, it was announced he will direct and executive produce the television adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides ' book The Marriage Plot .” (Wikipedia)
• Pitbull. Pitbull is credited as a featured artist on a video Murai directed. “" DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love " Usher featuring Pitbull " The Show Goes On " Lupe Fiasco” (Wikipedia)
• B.o.B. Murai directed the video for B.o.B’s “Airplanes.” “2010 " Airplanes " B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams " DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love " Usher featuring Pitbull” (Wikipedia)

…and 16 more on the map above.

Who Hiro Murai influenced

• Swarm by Janine Nabers (2023). Swarm (Janine Nabers) — legacy for Hiro Murai “He co-created the comedy thriller television series Swarm (2023).” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Reservation Dogs by Sterlin Harjo (2021). Reservation Dogs (Sterlin Harjo) — legacy for Hiro Murai (themoviedb.org)