In Snowden (2016), who directed the biographical thriller about Edward Snowden?

Snowden (2016) was directed by Oliver Stone.

The film dramatizes the career of Edward Snowden, the American intelligence contractor who disclosed classified surveillance information to journalists in 2013. It follows his path through military service, intelligence work, relationships, and the events that led to the disclosures.

Oliver Stone is known for politically focused films and biographical dramas, including JFK, Nixon, and W. Snowden continues that interest in government power, secrecy, and contested public narratives. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Snowden, using a performance that includes a close vocal and physical resemblance to the real-life figure.

Snowden is based on published accounts including The Snowden Files by Luke Harding and Time of the Octopus by Anatoly Kucherena. As with other dramatized biographies, the film compresses events and reconstructs private conversations, so it should not be treated as a complete documentary record.