Chris Benstead
“Crafting the Sound from Heists to Fairy Tales”
Chris Benstead is a British film composer, arranger, and Academy Award-winning re-recording mixer whose work has left a distinctive mark on contemporary cinema. Whether orchestrating pulse-pounding action sequences or weaving enchanting musical landscapes, his versatility has made him a sought-after creative force in the industry. Hailing from Kingston upon Hull, England, Benstead’s passion for music led him to a career that spans composition, arrangement, and sound design.
„I do tend to get a lot of footage early and just start to experiment. Some things stick and some don’t, and that’s part of the process. And not be precious, but just because I’ve written a piece of music, it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing. I always say a film score, and a TV score, you have to unlock the little secret recipe that it’s asking you to find.“
Benstead has become a trusted collaborator of director Guy Ritchie, helping shape the sonic identity of many of his recent projects. His compositions for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024), starring Henry Cavill, and the Netflix series The Gentlemen—a follow-up to Ritchie’s 2019 crime film—continue to showcase his ability to craft dynamic, character-driven scores. His work on Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (2023), starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and the Jason Statham-led thrillers Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023) and Wrath of Man (2021) have been widely praised for their intensity and thematic cohesion.
The Gentlemen.
„…It is possible to write three and a half hours worth of music and just to have faith in yourself and don’t be afraid to reuse certain themes, certain cues. Repetition is a powerful thing. If you strike some gold, reuse the gold.“
While he has carved out a niche in high-octane thrillers, Benstead’s artistry extends beyond the world of action. His collaboration with legendary composer Alan Menken on Disney’s Aladdin (2019) saw him arranging and composing additional music, reinventing beloved songs alongside Will Smith to give them a fresh, modern edge. He also contributed to the live-action version of the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast (2017), helping to enrich the film’s lush musical fabric.
Beauty and the Beast.
Beyond composition, Benstead’s expertise in sound mixing is equally impressive. His role as re-recording mixer on Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity (2013) earned him both an Academy Award and a BAFTA for Best Sound Mixing, a testament to his ability to craft immersive auditory experiences. His contributions to the film industry have also been recognized with the Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Award from the University of Surrey.
Though Benstead rarely discusses his artistic philosophy in depth, his body of work speaks volumes. His scores are not merely musical backdrops—they are integral components of storytelling, enhancing emotions, deepening character arcs, and guiding audiences through cinematic worlds. Whether through the swaggering cool of a Ritchie heist or the grandeur of a Disney fairytale, Benstead’s music consistently delivers impact, innovation, and an undeniable sense of narrative cohesion.
