Official Trailer for Rubberhead: The Life and Monsters of Steve Johnson [source]
Known for his intense work ethic, perfectionism, and obsession with breaking new ground, Steve Johnson’s three decades of groundbreaking work helped define genre filmmaking. Rubberhead is a deeply personal memoir and a humorous, heartfelt portrait of one of Hollywood’s most prolific artists. Directed by Nick Taylor, this documentary is the culmination of a seven-year journey to capture the life and times of an FX master. Steve shares endless, outrageous anecdotes about his freewheeling adventures in Hollywood, while also telling the cautionary tale of his meteoric rise and subsequent fall from grace. His drive led to some of cinema’s most game-changing effects and techniques, but also to heartbreaking acts of self-sabotage, divorce, and serious struggles with addiction. For fans of the glory days of practical FX, and those who study the craft of masters like Rick Baker, Rob Bottin, and Dick Smith, Rubberhead is a captivating reflection on a game-changing era and a fascinating story of an artist whose greatest monster may have been himself.
Catch Rubberhead at the Fantasia Film Festival on July 23, 2026!
