What episodes of criminal minds did matthew gray gubler direct?
Honestly, if you’re a fan of Criminal Minds, you’ve probably noticed that some episodes just feel... off. Not "off" in a bad way, but in a "this is actually a nightmare I can’t wake up from" kind of way. Usually, when that happens, you’ll see the name Matthew Gray Gubler pop up in the credits. He didn't just play Dr. Spencer Reid for fifteen years; he was the show's resident purveyor of the bizarre.
In total, Matthew Gray Gubler directed 12 episodes of Criminal Minds. He didn’t just do the standard procedural stuff either. While other cast members like Joe Mantegna or Thomas Gibson directed episodes that felt very "BAU-ish"—focused on the hunt and the team dynamics—Gubler went for the jugular. His episodes are often described as "mini horror movies." He has this specific, twisted aesthetic that involves eccentric UnSubs, weird camera angles, and a sense of whimsy that somehow makes the violence feel even more unsettling.
Here is the full list of every episode Matthew Gray Gubler directed, in order of their appearance:
- Mosley Lane (Season 5, Episode 16)
- Lauren (Season 6, Episode 18)
- Heathridge Manor (Season 7, Episode 19)
- The Lesson (Season 8, Episode 10)
- Alchemy (Season 8, Episode 20)
- Gatekeeper (Season 9, Episode 7)
- Blood Relations (Season 9, Episode 20)
- Mr. Scratch (Season 10, Episode 21)
- A Beautiful Disaster (Season 11, Episode 18)
- Elliott's Pond (Season 12, Episode 6)
- The Capilanos (Season 13, Episode 17)
- The Tall Man (Season 14, Episode 5)
Why "The Lesson" is the most disturbing thing you'll ever see
If you ask a hardcore fan which episode sticks with them most, they'll usually say "The Lesson." It's the one with the human marionettes. Yeah. You know the one.
The UnSub, played with a terrifyingly blank stare by Brad Dourif, literally dislocates people's joints so he can hang them from strings and make them perform in a puppet show. It’s peak Gubler. It’s got that "Jupiter" vibe he often talks about in interviews—episodes that don't feel like they belong on Earth.
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The sound design in this episode is what really gets you. The popping of joints. The creaking of the wood. Gubler actually included a "lullaby dance" sequence that he’s gone on record saying is one of the things he’s proudest of in his entire career. Most directors would shy away from making something that theatrical in a gritty crime drama, but he leaned into it.
The Master of the Uncanny Valley
What makes these 12 episodes stand out is Gubler's background in film school. He didn't just fall into acting; he was trained as a director at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He views the camera as a character. In "Heathridge Manor," for instance, the way he shoots the gothic, decaying house makes it feel like it's breathing. It’s very Tim Burton meets Alfred Hitchcock.
He also has a habit of using his own art. In "Mr. Scratch," those terrifying sketches of the shadow monster? Gubler drew those himself. He actually drew them with his non-dominant hand to make them look more like the frantic, panicked scribblings of a traumatized witness. That’s the level of detail he brings to the table.
The emotional weight of "Lauren" and "A Beautiful Disaster"
It’s not all just creepy puppets and shadow monsters. Gubler was also trusted with some of the biggest character exits in the show’s history.
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When Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) "died" the first time in Season 6, it was Matthew behind the lens for "Lauren." It was a huge responsibility. The episode had to be an action thriller while also being a somber goodbye to a beloved teammate. Then, years later, he directed "A Beautiful Disaster," which was the final episode for Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan.
It’s a bit poetic, really. The guy who played the team’s "little brother" for over a decade was the one responsible for saying goodbye to his on-screen best friends. "A Beautiful Disaster" is much more grounded than his usual work, but you can still feel his touch in the pacing—it feels urgent, almost breathless.
The creepy-crawly factor of "Blood Relations"
Then you have "Blood Relations" in Season 9. This one is basically a backwoods horror movie set in the middle of a family feud. It’s got everything: murky swamps, mountain men, and a guy who can basically teleport through the woods.
I remember watching this and thinking, "Is this even the same show?" The ending is particularly haunting because the UnSub actually gets away. He just... disappears into the water. Gubler loves those types of endings. He doesn't like to tie everything up in a neat little bow because real nightmares don't work that way.
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Breaking down the "Gubler Style"
If you’re watching an episode and you’re not sure if it’s one of his, look for these specific hallmarks:
- Bizarre UnSubs: They aren't just angry men with knives; they are people with deeply specific, often artistic delusions.
- Unique Music: He often uses creepy lullabies or vintage songs that feel out of place, creating a "Stepford Wives" kind of eerie contrast.
- Whimsical Horror: There is often a touch of the "fairytale" gone wrong.
- Physicality: He focuses a lot on the human body—how it moves, how it breaks, and how it can be distorted.
In "The Capilanos," he finally got to do his clown episode. He’d been pitching a clown story for years, but the writers were hesitant because Criminal Minds isn't a supernatural show. They had to find a way to make a "killer clown" grounded in reality. The result was a story about two brothers who were rodeo clowns, which is just... incredibly sad and creepy at the same time.
How to watch these episodes for the best experience
If you want to do a "Gubler Marathon," don't just watch them in a random order. Start with "Mosley Lane." It’s his directorial debut and it’s genuinely heartbreaking—it features a very young Evan Peters and deals with long-term kidnappings. It’s the perfect introduction to how he balances high-stakes emotion with pure dread.
After that, jump into "Mr. Scratch." It’s widely considered one of the best episodes of the entire series. It introduced a villain that would haunt the BAU for years, and the way Gubler uses hallucinations to mess with the team's heads (especially Hotch) is masterclass-level psychological horror.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of Matthew Gray Gubler's directing style, you should check out his work outside of Criminal Minds too. He’s directed music videos for The Killers (like "Don't Shoot Me Santa") that carry that same exact "creepy-but-cool" energy.
The next time you're scrolling through Paramount+ or watching reruns on ION, keep an eye out for his name. You’ll know you’re in for a weird ride before the first commercial break even hits.