Writer-director Chris Terrio made a strong first impression in the world of filmmaking with his 2005 debut Heights, produced under the esteemed Merchant Ivory banner. While that project marked a promising start, it was his work on Argo in 2012—written for and directed by Ben Affleck—that truly catapulted Chris Terrio into the spotlight as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after screenwriters. Born on December 31, 1976, Chris Terrio initially pursued literature at Harvard University, where fate played a hand when he reached out to acclaimed director James Ivory after a campus talk. To his surprise, Chris Terrio received a personal letter back—an unexpected gesture that sparked a lasting mentorship.
Eventually transferring to the University of Southern California to focus on film production, Chris Terrio leveraged his literary background to land an assistant role on Ivory’s The Golden Bowl (2000). His involvement with Merchant Ivory Productions deepened over time, including directing a behind-the-scenes documentary for Le Divorce (2003). It was Ismail Merchant, Ivory’s longtime producing partner, who handed Chris Terrio a long-gestating script titled Heights by Amy Fox—entrusting him with turning it into a feature. The result was Chris Terrio’s directorial debut in 2005, starring big names like Elizabeth Banks, Glenn Close, James Marsden, and Isabella Rossellini. Though the film premiered at Sundance, Chris Terrio didn’t receive further directing offers, prompting a pivot toward writing.
Still highly respected among peers, Chris Terrio continued refining his craft. In 2010, he briefly stepped back into directing with an episode of the FX series Damages. But it wasn’t until 2011 that his breakthrough arrived: George Clooney and Grant Heslov brought Chris Terrio on board to adapt the incredible true story of the “Canadian Caper”—a daring CIA-Canada operation during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, where American diplomats were rescued under the guise of scouting locations for a fake sci-fi movie. The resulting film, Argo, became both a commercial smash and critical darling, earning Chris Terrio the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
From there, Chris Terrio’s career accelerated. He quickly became attached to multiple high-profile projects, including reuniting with Clooney and Heslov on a crime thriller for Paul Greengrass, adapting the French suspense film Tell No One into English, and developing A Murder Foretold, a gripping drama based on a New Yorker article about a Guatemalan man hunting down those responsible for his wife’s murder. By 2012, Chris Terrio had secured a widely publicized two-picture screenplay deal with Warner Bros., solidifying his place not just as a talented writer, but as a central figure shaping modern cinema.
When it comes to Chris Terrio’s work in the world of film, there’s definitely a standout favorite among critics and audiences alike. Chris Terrio really hit his stride with Argo (2012), which many consider his highest-rated project to date. The movie was not only a commercial success but also earned widespread acclaim for its gripping storytelling and direction—something that clearly showcased Chris Terrio’s talent behind the screenplay. On the other hand, Chris Terrio also had a more polarizing moment in his career with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). While ambitious in scope, the film ended up being his lowest-rated work, drawing mixed reactions from fans and critics. Still, it’s worth noting how Chris Terrio has contributed to such varied projects, demonstrating range even when results differ. Overall, Chris Terrio remains a significant figure in modern screenwriting, with peaks like Argo highlighting just how impactful his craft can be.