A puppeteer discovers portal to John Malkovich's head. Criterion Collection Year 1999 Video Release 2000-05-02 Studio USA Films Genre Comedy MPAA Rating R CARA language and sexuality Color Color Runtime 113 Animated Live-Action Full Synopsis Craig Schwartz John Cusack is a struggling street puppeteer. In order to make some money, Craig takes a job as a filing clerk. One day he accidentally discovers a door... a portal into the mind of John Malkovich played by John Malkovich ! For 15 minutes, he experiences the ultimate head trip HE is John Malkovich! Then he's dumped out onto the New Jersey turnpike! With his beautiful office mate Maxine Catherine Keener and his pet-obsessed wife Cameron Diaz , they hatch a plan to let others into John's brain for just 200 a trip. See what all the critics are talking about. Director Spike Jonze Cast Spike Jonze; John Cusack; Cameron Diaz; Catherine Keener; Orson Bean; Mary Kay Place; John Malkovich; Charlie Sheen; W. Earl Brown; Sean Penn; Brad Pitt