Matt Bettinelli Olpin

Who Is Matt Bettinelli-Olpin?

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin is an American film director, screenwriter, actor, producer, and musician. He was born on February 19, 1978. He was born in Oakland, California, USA.

He is one of the most exciting and versatile voices in modern horror cinema. He is best known as a founding member of the filmmaking collective Radio Silence. Together with his longtime collaborator Tyler Gillett, he has directed some of the most successful horror films of the past decade.

His journey is remarkable. It began on a punk rock stage in the East Bay. It passed through the mailrooms of Hollywood. Today, it sits at the top of the horror genre.

He is a founding member of the punk band Link 80 and co-creator of the filmmaking collectives Chad, Matt & Rob and Radio Silence, the latter known for their work on the films V/H/S (2012), Devil’s Due (2014), and Southbound (2015). He has gone on to co-direct the horror films Ready or Not (2019), Scream (2022), and Scream VI (2023) with Tyler Gillett.

Early Life: Oakland Roots and a Punk Rock Beginning

Born in the East Bay

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin grew up in Oakland, California. Oakland sits in the East Bay area of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a city with a proud musical and countercultural history. That environment shaped him deeply.

Founding Link 80 (1993)

Before he ever picked up a camera, Matt picked up a guitar.

Bettinelli-Olpin formed the Bay Area punk band Link 80 in 1993. He is the founding guitarist of punk band Link 80 and a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Link 80 became a well-regarded name in the East Bay ska-punk scene during the 1990s. Furthermore, the band’s influence extended beyond music. It gave Matt a deep understanding of collaboration, energy, and performing for an audience—skills that would later define his filmmaking style.

Reunions and Tributes

In 2016, Bettinelli-Olpin played guitar in a Link 80 reunion for the Asian Man Records 20th Anniversary. In 2021, a Link 80 cover of Rancid’s “Junkie Man” was released on Lavasock Records’ 25th anniversary tribute to Rancid’s punk rock classic … And Out Come the Wolves, featuring Bettinelli-Olpin on vocals.

Music never left him. It simply made room for cinema.

From the Mailroom to the Megaplex: Building a Career

Working at New Line Cinema

After his time as a musician and music journalist, Matt made his move into the film industry. While working in the mailroom at New Line Cinema, he formed the filmmaking collective Chad, Matt & Rob in 2007.

This path—from mailroom to director’s chair—is a classic Hollywood story. However, Matt made it his own through sheer originality and creative commitment.

Chad, Matt & Rob (2007)

Bettinelli-Olpin co-founded Chad, Matt & Rob with Chad Villella and Rob Polonsky in 2007.

Chad, Matt & Rob built a large and enthusiastic following through YouTube. They created interactive adventure films that allowed viewers to choose the direction of the story. These projects were early experiments in digital storytelling and audience engagement. Moreover, they showed Matt’s instinct for genre-blending and participatory narrative—instincts that would serve him extremely well in the horror world.

Radio Silence Is Born (2011)

Radio Silence was founded in 2011 by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez, and Chad Villella. The collective had worked together previously as Chad, Matt & Rob and were known for their blend of comedy, adventure, sci-fi, and horror.

The name was no accident. Radio Silence was a declaration of intent—a group of filmmakers who would let their work speak louder than words.

Career Highlights: A Horror Filmography That Defines a Generation

V/H/S (2012): The Breakthrough

Radio Silence’s first major project announced them to the horror world in unforgettable fashion. He first gained recognition in the found footage genre through Radio Silence’s segment “10/31/98” in V/H/S.

The segment — set on Halloween night, 1998 — was praised for its escalating tension, inventive camera work, and genuinely terrifying final act. It established Radio Silence as one of the most exciting new voices in found footage horror.

Devil’s Due (2014)

Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett went out on their own to make the found-footage diabolical pregnancy film. Devil’s Due (2014).

The film drew on the found footage tradition to explore body horror and domestic fear. It demonstrated the duo’s ability to work within genre conventions while pushing them in new directions.

Southbound (2015)

Southbound was Radio Silence’s anthology horror film. It wove together five interconnected stories set along a desolate desert highway. The film earned strong reviews. Furthermore, it showed the collective’s gift for sustained atmosphere and dark, morally complex storytelling.

Ready or Not (2019): The Cult Classic

Ready or Not was a success that saw Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett hired to go on to direct Scream (2022), Scream VI (2023), and Abigail (2024), all of which come under the Radio Silence banner.

Ready or Not was the film that made them household names. It starred Samara Weaving as Grace, a bride whose in-laws turn her wedding night into a deadly game of hide-and-seek. The film blended pitch-black comedy with genuine horror. Critics loved it. Audiences loved it. It became a modern cult classic almost overnight.

Scream (2022): Reviving a Legend

In March 2020, it was announced that Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett would co-direct the fifth Scream film—a direct continuation of the beloved Wes Craven franchise.

The task was enormous. The expectations were sky-high. They delivered.

Scream (2022) opened to a $30 million domestic opening. Critics praised it as a worthy successor to the original. Fans welcomed it as a love letter to the franchise. Moreover, the film proved that Matt and Tyler could handle legacy IP with care, intelligence, and excitement.

Scream VI (2023): Going Bigger

Scream VI earned a $44.4 million domestic opening. It was a bigger, bolder film than its predecessor. It moved the action from Woodsboro to New York City. It pushed the franchise’s mythology further. Additionally, it confirmed Radio Silence’s status as the premier directing duo working in mainstream horror today.

Abigail (2024): Vampires, Ballet, and Black Comedy

According to Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, it was meeting Kathryn Newton on the set of their film Abigail that unlocked Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.

Abigail starred Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, and Alisha Weir as a young ballerina vampire. Abigail opened to $10.2 million on its way to a $25.8 million domestic total. It was another demonstration of Radio Silence’s core strength—their ability to mix horror, dark humor, and genuine emotional stakes into a single, entertaining package.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026): The Sequel the Fans Demanded

After directing last year’s Abigail, Radio Silence—the duo of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett—returned to direct the sequel to the 2019 film, with Samara Weaving reprising her role as Grace.

Newcomers to the film include Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, Elijah Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and David Cronenberg, making a rare on-screen appearance.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin noted their approach: “It’s not unlike how we approached Scream—how do we take this thing that we love as fans and not turn it into just nostalgia but actually evolve it and create something new for the present day?”

The film was released on March 20, 2026.

What’s Next: The Mummy 4 (2028) and Beyond

Bringing Back Rick and Evelyn

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are not slowing down. Their next major project is one of the most anticipated films in Universal Pictures’ pipeline.

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reportedly coming back to The Mummy franchise. The filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who are known as Radio Silence, will direct the fourth film in the franchise. The pair will direct a script written by David Coggeshall. rural radio

Directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett described the project as a “dream project.” Bettinelli-Olpin said the script “has all of the heart and the character that you could hope for.” He added, “I don’t think Brendan and Rachel are getting involved unless they love that script.”

The Mummy 4 is set for wide theatrical release on May 19, 2028, from Universal Pictures.

Additionally, Matt serves as executive producer on Scream 7 (2026), a testament to his ongoing connection to the franchise he helped revive.

Acting and Music: The Artist Beyond the Camera

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin is not just a director. He has appeared on screen in several of the films he has made.

He appeared as Matt in the segment “10/31/98” of V/H/S (2012) and as Jack in Southbound (2015). He also appeared as an uncredited party guest (voice) in Scream (2022) and as an uncredited reporter in Hancock (2008).

Moreover, music has never left his life. His roots in punk rock remain a constant source of energy and creative inspiration.

Radio Silence: A Collective, Not Just a Brand

Radio Silence was founded by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez, and Chad Villella. The group has produced multiple V/H/S anthology films and championed emerging horror filmmakers through their production arm.

Their philosophy is simple. They make films they would want to watch. They treat horror with intelligence and respect. Because of this, they have built one of the most loyal fan bases in the genre.

Complete Filmography

As Director

Year	Film	Notes
2012	V/H/S	Segment “10/31/98”
2014	Devil’s Due	Feature debut solo
2015	Southbound	Anthology; also writer and editor
2019	Ready or Not	Cult classic; career-defining
2022	Scream	$30M domestic opening
2023	Scream VI	$44.4M domestic opening
2024	Abigail	$25.8M domestic total
2026	Ready or Not 2: Here I Come	Released March 20, 2026
2028	The Mummy 4	Upcoming; Brendan Fraser & Rachel Weisz

As Producer / Executive Producer

Year	Film	Role
2021	V/H/S/94	Executive Producer
2022	V/H/S/99	Producer
2023	V/H/S/85	Producer
2025	Fountain of Youth	Executive Producer
2025	Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project	Executive Producer
2026	Scream 7	Executive Producer

As Actor

Year	Film	Role
2008	Hancock	Reporter (uncredited)
2012	V/H/S	Matt, segment “10/31/98”
2015	Southbound	Jack
2022	Scream	Party Guest, voice (uncredited)

Personal Life: Private but Present

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, 48 years old, maintains a highly private personal life despite his public success in Hollywood. Outside filmmaking, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin has remained deeply connected to music, particularly the punk rock community where he first gained recognition through Link 80. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin does not have social media accounts. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin has an estimated net worth of approximately $8 million USD.

His absence from social media is deliberate. He lets his films speak for themselves. It is a choice that feels very much in keeping with the Radio Silence ethos.