Riyoko Tanaka

Riyoko Tanaka’s name might not be plastered all over Hollywood billboards, but if you’ve dug into the credits of some pretty wild sci-fi flicks, you’ve probably spotted her. She’s got her fingerprints all over Men in Black: International (2019), which took the whole alien-policing gig global. The thing with that movie—it’s all about secret agents, those slick black suits, sunglasses at night, the works—except this time, you’re bouncing between continents, chasing down a mole within the organization, and dealing with a pair of new faces instead of the classic duo. Honestly, it’s got a lot of those big, flashy action sequences and just enough alien weirdness to keep you guessing. Jump back a few years, and Men in Black 3 (2012) had Tanaka in the mix too. That one went full time-travel chaos, with Agent J heading to the past to save his partner and, you know, the fate of the universe. It’s got the ’60s aesthetic, those classic New York vibes, and a bunch of goofy retro gadgets. Tons of nostalgia if you’re into that sort of thing. And don’t sleep on The Island (2005). That movie, man—it’s a whole trip. People living in this sterile, futuristic facility, thinking they’re survivors of some global disaster, only to find out they’re basically clones being harvested for parts. Super sleek visuals, paranoia, and a lot of running (seriously, so much running). Tanaka’s credits in these films prove she’s got a thing for stories that twist reality and keep you glued to the screen.