Brian Russell De Palma is an eminent American film director and screenwriter, predominantly recognized for his works encompassing suspense, crime, and psychological thriller genres. De Palma's filmography spans over half a century and features popular mainstream box office hits such as Carrie (1976), Dressed to Kill (1980), Scarface (1983), The Untouchables (1987), and Mission: Impossible (1996). He, as a member of the New Hollywood generation of film directors, also directed cult classics such as Sisters (1972), Phantom of the Paradise (1974), Blow Out (1981), Body Double (1984), Casualties of War (1989), and Carlito's Way (1993). His directorial style and techniques, often drawing inspiration from renowned filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock, Jean-Luc Godard, and Michelangelo Antonioni, include the use of stereotypes, visual aesthetics, and intense drama. Despite facing criticism for his depiction of graphic violence and sexual content, De Palma has been highly praised by eminent American critics like Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael.

Born on September 11, 1940, in Newark, New Jersey, the youngest of three boys, De Palma completed his graduation from Friends' Central School and later acquired his undergraduate degree from Columbia University. It was here that he developed a deep interest in the filmmaking process. He pursued further studies in the theater department of Sarah Lawrence College, earning an M.A. in 1964. Despite his initially strained relationship with his father, De Palma's personal experiences and familial relationships significantly influenced his later works, most notably in Dressed to Kill. Over his extensive career, De Palma has received widespread acclaim for his unconventional story-telling and narrative approach, eventually earning his reputation as the 'American Godard'.