[3][4][5] Zeller wrote and directed his first film, 2020's The Father, based on his play of the same name, starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman.

[12] Illustrious recipients of France's highest decoration includes Robert Redford, Miles Davis, David Lynch, Charlie Chaplin or Josephine Baker.

[21] The Son opened in London in February 2019 and transferred to the West End in September 2019 with rave reviews.

The film received acclaim from critics, who lauded Hopkins and Colman's performances and praised its depiction of dementia.

The website's critics consensus reads: "Led by stellar performances and artfully helmed by writer-director Florian Zeller, The Father presents a devastatingly empathetic portrayal of dementia.

[30] At the 78th Golden Globe Awards, the film received four nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.

Zeller and Christopher Hampton won a BAFTA and an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film.

"[32] It also ranked number 27 on its list of the "30 Best Drama Movies of All Time,"[33] In March and April 2021, it was announced that Zeller co-wrote with Christopher Hampton, and would direct, their adaptation of The Son (which serves as Zeller's and Hampton's follow-up to The Father), with Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern and Vanessa Kirby to star in the film.