October 20, 2025

The writer, director, and actor returns to the Criterion Closet, where he shares how he and cinematographer Maceo Bishop studied documentaries like The War Room when making their new film The Smashing Machine, shouts out the singular performances in Carnal Knowledge, and talks about watching Flow with his kids and their cat.

This is Benny's second time in the Criterion Closet. His first was with his brother Josh in March of 2017.

Watch this visit to the closet on YouTube and check out more closet picks from 2025. Shop Benny’s closet picks here.

Check out the All Time Top Criterion Closet Picks list as well as a list of all the Criterion films that have never been picked during a closet visit!