Rizal has a degree in architecture and began directing music videos in 1992. His work has earned him several awards, both national and international. To date, he has more than 400 music videos, twelve feature films, several television commercials, and numerous awards for music videos, including an MTV "Moon Man" for winning the MTV ASIA Viewer's Choice 1995 award for the video "Sambutlah" performed by Denada.

"Kuldesak" (1998) was his first feature film, in which he served as co-director alongside three other Indonesian directors: Nan T. Achnas, Mira Lesmana, and Riri Riza. His second feature film, made together with fellow music video director Jose Poernomo and titled "Jelangkung," became the highest-grossing film of 2001 in the country. His next work — the "Kuntilanak Trilogy" — was also well received: "Kuntilanak," the first installment of the franchise, became the highest-grossing film of 2006, and "Kuntilanak 3" (the third installment of the franchise) earned him the "best director" award at the 2008 Bali Film Festival.