Directing

Joel Potrykus

Born July 10, 1977 · Ossineke, Michigan, USA (age 49)

Joel Potrykus (born July 10, 1977 in Ossineke, MI, USA) is a writer, director, cinematographer and editor who resides in Grand Rapids, MI. He works with a filmmaking band, Sob Noisse, including long-time collaborator Joshua Burge. He is best known for his award-winning surrealistic black comedies "Ape" (2012) and "Buzzard" (2014).

Known For

Three Divided by Zero

Three Divided by Zero

Three Divided by Zero

Set in 1979, three roommates come to blows after encountering a mysterious machine that informs them that they won't wake to see the next morning.

Nuance

MovieDramaComedy

A late-night encounter on an overpass sparks an unexpected conversation between a lost young woman and a carefree line cook.

Joel Calls Indie Film Type Dudes

Joel Calls Indie Film Type Dudes · 2020

Joel Calls Indie Film Type Dudes

Joel Potrykus calls fellow indie filmmakers during the pandemic crisis to check in and see how they're holding up.

Accidental Exorcist

Accidental Exorcist · 2016

Accidental Exorcist

Fate has dealt Richard Vanuck a very strange hand; he's a natural born exorcist. In fact, he's the best there's ever been, and with possessions on the rise across the city he's booked solid. Eventually he comes to realize that performing exorcisms is the only thing he's truly good at, even though his daily battles with Satanic forces are wearing him down.

The Nookie

The Nookie · 2025

MovieHorrorRomance

A paranormal investigator discovers that love comes in all shapes, and anomalies.

ALTERLIFE

ALTERLIFE · 2025

While executing a plan to fake their deaths, two friends undergo a haunting existential crisis.

Vulcanizadora

Vulcanizadora · 2025

MovieComedyThriller

Two friends trudge through a Michigan forest with the intention of following through on a disturbing pact. Once their plan goes shockingly awry, the haunting consequences of their failure can't stay hidden for long.

Relaxer

Relaxer · 2019

MovieFantasyComedy

Y2K is approaching fast, but Abbie can’t get off the couch until he beats an unbeatable level on Pac-Man.

Filmography

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Three Divided by Zero

Three Divided by Zero

Three Divided by Zero

Set in 1979, three roommates come to blows after encountering a mysterious machine that informs them that they won't wake to see the next morning.

Director

Nuance

MovieDramaComedy

A late-night encounter on an overpass sparks an unexpected conversation between a lost young woman and a carefree line cook.

Executive Producer

Joel Calls Indie Film Type Dudes

Joel Calls Indie Film Type Dudes · 2020

Joel Calls Indie Film Type Dudes

Joel Potrykus calls fellow indie filmmakers during the pandemic crisis to check in and see how they're holding up.

Director

Accidental Exorcist

Accidental Exorcist · 2016

Accidental Exorcist

Fate has dealt Richard Vanuck a very strange hand; he's a natural born exorcist. In fact, he's the best there's ever been, and with possessions on the rise across the city he's booked solid. Eventually he comes to realize that performing exorcisms is the only thing he's truly good at, even though his daily battles with Satanic forces are wearing him down.

Derek

The Nookie

The Nookie · 2025

MovieHorrorRomance

A paranormal investigator discovers that love comes in all shapes, and anomalies.

Executive Producer

ALTERLIFE

ALTERLIFE · 2025

While executing a plan to fake their deaths, two friends undergo a haunting existential crisis.

Executive Producer

Vulcanizadora

Vulcanizadora · 2025

MovieComedyThriller

Two friends trudge through a Michigan forest with the intention of following through on a disturbing pact. Once their plan goes shockingly awry, the haunting consequences of their failure can't stay hidden for long.

Editor

Relaxer

Relaxer · 2019

MovieFantasyComedy

Y2K is approaching fast, but Abbie can’t get off the couch until he beats an unbeatable level on Pac-Man.

Director

Moth, Man!

MovieHorrorComedy

A strange young man struggles to adapt to his new life as he transforms into a man-moth hybrid.

Executive Producer

Buzzard

Buzzard · 2015

MovieComedyDrama

Paranoia forces small-time scam artist Marty to flee his hometown and hide out in a dangerous Detroit. With nothing but a pocket full of bogus checks, his Power Glove, and a bad temper, the horror metal slacker lashes out.

Director

Pets

After her home security camera records a stranger in her house, a young woman starts fearing for her cat’s safety.

Director

The Alchemist Cookbook

The Alchemist Cookbook · 2016

The Alchemist Cookbook

MovieDramaHorror

Self-made chemist Sean, a recluse living in an old trailer in the woods, suffers from pill-popping delusions of fortune. When his manic attempts at cracking the ancient secret of alchemy go awry he unleashes something far more sinister and dangerous.

Editor

Unemployees

Unemployees · 2023

Two college grads enter the workplace seeking gainful unemployment.

Director

Warak Areesh

Warak Areesh · 2026

MovieFamilyDrama

A cautious woman, hindered by a language barrier, struggles to connect with her grandmother but discovers a bond through food and tradition.

Executive Producer

Unholy Mother

MovieThrillerHorror

A vengeful woman summons a demon, Lilith, to get revenge on the man who assaulted her.

Executive Producer

Dead Weight

Dead Weight · 2025

MovieDramaHorror

A man struggles to leave his undead wife.

Executive Producer

Cupid's Intern

Cupid's Intern · 2026

MovieRomanceComedy

A love struck young mans life changes dramatically when he hires Cupid to help with a new love, but when Cupid's intern, Agape shows up instead, the easy assignment turns to a struggle for love..

Executive Producer

Darkroom

Darkroom · 2025

A photo obsessed recluse develops pictures in a darkroom in hopes of uncovering an unknown subject.

Executive Producer

Life's a Bitch Then You Die

Life's a Bitch Then You Die · 2020

Life's a Bitch Then You Die

A disturbed cabdriver descends into madness while holding a young woman captive.

Joel the Neighbor

Pear

A grieving widow uses her garden to bring back the love of her life, only to realize that not much has changed.

Director

Mice & Milk

Mice & Milk · 2001

MovieDocumentary

Documentary short by Joel Potrykus

Director

Birthday Boy

Birthday Boy · 1999

A never-ending lonely birthday ends with a never-ending death at work.

Director

The Value Of Nothing

The Value Of Nothing · 2023

The Value Of Nothing

A conversation about simulations leads to a collapse of realities, atypical antics ensue.

Gordon

Gordon finds himself dead, lost, lonely, and stuck.

Director