John Dahl (born 1956) is an American film director and screenwriter, best known for the neo-noir films Kill Me Again, Red Rock West, and The Last Seduction.
John Dahl was born in Billings, Montana, the second of four children (his brother is filmmaker Rick Dahl). Dahl spent his young life in and around Montana all the way up through his college years. He first attended the University of Montana, and then transferred to Montana State University where he received a degree in film. While at MSU, Dahl was a student of Bill Pullman. His first feature film at MSU was titled The Death Mutants made for $12,000. He also met his wife, Beth Friedberg at MSU, and after graduation they both left Montana to attend the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. He entered the directors program and she entered the cinematography program.
Dahl started his career as a storyboard artist and assistant director. He continued through the eighties making short films and directing music videos for Kool and the Gang and Joe Satriani. He finally gained notoriety directing his first two films, Kill Me Again and Red Rock West. Both films were well received. His third feature film was crime thriller, The Last Seduction. Linda Fiorentino's performance in that movie, although critically acclaimed, was not eligible to receive an Oscar nomination because it aired on cable television before its theatrical release. It also starred his former college professor, Bill Pullman.
