In the summer of 2009, when Batmanglij and friend and co-writer/actress Brit Marling were penniless and lacking any prospects, they hopped trains and hung out with "anarchists", personal experiences which are included in their film The East (2013).
His younger brother is Rostam from the band Vampire Weekend.
His mother, Najmieh, is a renowned cookbook author.
He grew up in Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown area. and would often run through Rock Creek Park. After he graduated from college, he worked at a shampoo company.