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David Cronenberg

David Cronenberg

Actor, director, writer and producer · Born March 15, 1943 (83) · Toronto, Ontario, Canada

BAFTA Award nominee · 3 other major award bodies

David Paul Cronenberg (born 15 March 1943) is a Canadian film director, screenwriter, producer and actor. He is a principal originator of the body horror genre, with his films exploring visceral bodily transformation, infectious diseases, and the intertwining of the psychological, physical, and technological. Cronenberg is best known for exploring these themes through sci-fi horror films such as Shivers (1975), Scanners (1981),  Videodrome (1983), and The Fly (1986). However, he has also directed dramas, psychological thrillers, and gangster films. Cronenberg's films have polarized critics and audiences; he has earned critical acclaim and sparked controversy for his depictions of gore and violence. The Village Voice called him "the most audacious and challenging narrative director in the English-speaking world". His films have won numerous awards, including the Special Jury Prize for Crash at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival, a unique award that is distinct from the Jury Prize as it is not given annually but only at the request of the official jury, who in this case gave the award "for originality, for daring, and for audacity". From the 2000s to the 2020s, Cronenberg collaborated on several films with Viggo Mortensen, including A History of Violence (2005), Eastern Promises (2007), A Dangerous Method (2011) and Crimes of the Future (2022). Seven of his films were selected to compete for the Palme d'Or, the most recent being The Shrouds (2024), which was screened at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Description above from the Wikipedia article David Cronenberg, licensed under CC-BY-SA, is a full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 15, 1943 (83)
From
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Works as
Actor, director, writer and producer
Titles
60 on MovieCove · 118 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 32% in 30 days

What are David Cronenberg's films like?

Across their 39 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Survival.

Genres

Drama13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Horror7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Documentary5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
26%
Survival
26%
Power
13%
Ideas
12%
Society
9%
Bonds
8%
Morality
6%
Identity12 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma6 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt5 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption4 titles, browse their movies with this themePower5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 38 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 6 · Serious 9 · Dark 23

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 16 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 10

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 11 · Intense 24

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 15 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 6

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 30 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 6

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 19 · Full focus 12

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 8 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 17

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 16 · Open-ended 9 · Ambiguous 13

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Shadow
1 of 3
Mentor
1 of 3
Herald
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
29
Dread
20
Contemplative
14
Melancholic
12
Cold
10
Other
22

How their films linger

Thought-provoking18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 10 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic8
  • Ambiguous12

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Cronenberg's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 45 of their 60 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (19).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Cronenberg's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

118 credits, 60 with a MovieCove page; 35 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ready or Not 2: Here I Come(2026)

    as Chester Danforth

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Cronenberg, à corps ouvert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld(2025)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Shrouds(2024)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Humane(2024)

    as D.O.C.S. Commercials Narrator

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Leo(2023)

    Original Film Writer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Four Unloved Women, Adrift on a Purposeless Sea, Experience the Ecstasy of Dissection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Director · Writer

  • Crimes of the Future(2022)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Death of David Cronenberg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Director · Writer · as David Cronenberg

  • Slasher: Flesh & Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · as Spencer Galloway

  • Falling(2020)

    as Dr. Klausner

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Disappearance at Clifton Hill(2019)

    as Walter

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Rabid(2019)

    Original Film Writer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Dead Don't Die(2019)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Drema (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Thanks

  • Konbini Vidéo Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Alias Grace(2017)

    Show 6 episodes · as Reverend Verrenger

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Discovery(2017)

    Show 10 episodes · as Dr. Kovich

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Ape Sodom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Additional Dialogue · as Narrator

  • Tomorrow's Shadows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as G.O.D. (voice)

  • Slasher(2016)

    Show as Spencer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Pig Goat Banana Cricket(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Cronenbird (voice)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • The Scanners Way: Creating the Special Effects in 'Scanners' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Thanks

  • Maps to the Stars(2014)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Mental Saboteur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Thanks

  • The Double(2013)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Nosferatu vs. Father Pipecock & Sister Funk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Thanks

  • Tales from the Organ Trade(2013)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Candy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Thanks

  • The Nest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Dr. Molnar (voice)

  • Rewind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Rourke

  • Pacific Rim(2013)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Citizens of Cosmopolis(2012)

    Thanks · as Self

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Cosmopolis(2012)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • A Dangerous Method(2011)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Down to Sleep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Thanks

  • Acid Head: The Buzzard Nuts County Slaughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Thanks

  • Barney's Version(2010)

    as O'Malley Director #2

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Happy Town(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Leichman

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Crank Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Thanks

  • Tub (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Thanks

  • The Plan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Executive Producer

  • To Each His Own Cinema(2007)

    Director · as The Suicidal Man (segment "At the suicide of the last Jew ...")

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Eastern Promises(2007)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • At the Suicide of the Last Jew in the World in the Last Cinema in the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Writer · as The Last Jew

  • Karim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Thanks

  • Shortbus(2006)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Skinwalkers(2006)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Fear of the Flesh: The Making of The Fly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Thanks

  • A History of Violence(2005)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Le Cercle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche(2004)

    as Duncan (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Spider(2002)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Jason X(2001)

    as Dr. Wimmer

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Alias(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Brezzel

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Judge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Det. Stobel

  • The Judge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Det. Stobel

  • Imagining 'Total Recall' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Thanks

  • Resolving Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Thanks

  • Preludes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • Camera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Writer

  • David Cronenberg: I Have to Make the Word Be Flesh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Resurrection(1999)

    as Father Rousell

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • eXistenZ(1999)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Last Night(1998)

    as Duncan

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • I'm Losing You(1998)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Grace of God (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Psychiatrist

  • Extreme Measures(1996)

    as Hospital Lawyer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Stupids(1996)

    as Postal Supervisor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Crash(1996)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Auto Wreck Salesman (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Moonshine Highway(1996)

    as Clem Clayton

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • To Die For(1995)

    as Man at Lake

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Blood & Donuts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Crime Boss

  • Scanner Cop II(1995)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Boozecan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Stan Coleburn

  • Trial by Jury(1994)

    as Director

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Scanner Cop(1994)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Henry & Verlin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Doc Fisher

  • M. Butterfly(1993)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Scanners III: The Takeover(1991)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Naked Lunch(1991)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Highway 61 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Thanks

  • Scanners II: The New Order(1991)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Scales of Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Nightbreed(1990)

    as Dr. Philip K. Decker

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Dead Ringers(1988)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Obstetrician (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Friday the 13th: The Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Fly(1986)

    Director · Screenplay · as Gynecologist

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Into the Night(1985)

    as Group Supervisor

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Dead Zone(1983)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Videodrome(1983)

    Director · Writer · as Max Renn (Helmet Scenes) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Making of David Cronenberg's Videodrome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Interviewee

  • Escape from New York(1981)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Scanners(1981)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Brood(1979)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Fast Company(1979)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Rabid(1977)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Teleplay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Writer

  • Peep Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Shivers(1975)

    Director · Writer · as Infected Crowd Member (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Across This Land with Stompin' Tom Connors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Production Manager

  • In the Dirt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Lakeshore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Scarborough Bluffs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Winter Garden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor

  • Don Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Fort York (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Jim Ritchie Sculptor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Letter from Michelangelo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Tourrettes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Programme X (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Crimes of the Future (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Stereo (Tile 3B of a CAEE Educational Mosaic) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Palace of Pleasure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • From the Drain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Buffalo Airport Visions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Transfer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Sound · Writer

Career shape

A full career of 119 titles from 1966 to 2026.

Biggest box office

A History of Violence (2005)

$61M worldwide

Highest rated

The Fly (1986)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles.

  • 1983Screen debut· Videodrome
  • 2017Career best· Alias Grace
  • 2021First top-billed film· The Death of David Cronenberg
  • 2021Career best· The Death of David Cronenberg

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting52 of 119: 42 only acting, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score57thDirecting46 of 119: 11 only directing, 35 with another role · typical Midcredits score71stWriting38 of 119: 6 only writing, 32 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdProducing12 of 119: 2 only producing, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score68thCinematography13 of 119: 0 only cinematography, 13 with another roleEditing13 of 119: 0 only editing, 13 with another roleOther crew24 of 119: 22 only other crew, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

119 titles, 36 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 9 of them.

By decade

1960s5 · 2 acting · 3 crew1970s18 · 1 acting · 18 crew1980s9 · 5 acting · 7 crew1990s26 · 16 acting · 11 crew2000s20 · 8 acting · 14 crew2010s29 · 12 acting · 19 crew2020s12 · 8 acting · 5 crew

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 5% of 22 roles
83939813

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

4 major awards from 15 major nominations, 1992–2024.

WinNomination
  1. 2024
    • Cannes award, nominated
  2. 2022
    • Cannes award, nominated
  3. 2018
    • Venice award, won
  4. 2014
    • Cannes award, nominated
  5. 2012
    • Cannes award, nominated
  6. 2011
    • Venice award, nominated
  7. 2008
    • BAFTA Award, nominated
  8. 2006
    • Cannes award, won
Show 5 earlier years
  1. 2005
    • Cannes award, nominated
  2. 2002
    • Cannes award, nominated
  3. 1999
    • Berlinale award, won · Outstanding Artistic Contribution
    • Berlinale award, nominated
  4. 1996
    • Cannes award, won
    • Cannes award, nominated
  5. 1992
    • Berlinale award, nominated

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do David Cronenberg's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 54; across their 38 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 58th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Reach · how many have seen their films

90thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Midcredits score across 60 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th18
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th14

Shape of the crowd

28 of their 60 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Divisive2
  • Crowd Pleaser28
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed21

Most divisive · actor

Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004)

92nd percentile spread · 45% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director, writer

The Fly (1986)

Midcredits 96th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 33 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is David Cronenberg's work okay for kids?

Across up to 25 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore22 titles63–94 · median 83 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity25 titles27–78 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity24 titles37–78 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs21 titles23–65 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense23 titles52–86 · median 72 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does David Cronenberg work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Cronenberg's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Howard Shore shares the most, 18.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles