being john malkovich is a 1999 american fantasy comedy movie written by charlie kaufman and directed by spike jonze. the movie stars john cusack, cameron diaz, catherine keener, and john malkovich. malkovich plays a version of himself. cusack plays a puppeteer who finds a portal that takes him inside malkovich's mind. the movie was released on october 29, 1999 in the united states by usa films.