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

Ethereal Torments

Ethereal Torments · 2026

Ethereal Torments

In order to find balance between physical attractions, an obedient man stands before two deities.

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.

Unemployees

Unemployees · 2023

Two college grads enter the workplace seeking gainful unemployment.

The Nookie

The Nookie · 2025

MovieHorrorRomance

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

Unholy Mother

MovieThrillerHorror

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

ALTERLIFE

ALTERLIFE · 2025

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

Pets

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

Nuance

MovieDramaComedy

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

Filmography

Sort

Ethereal Torments

Ethereal Torments · 2026

Ethereal Torments

In order to find balance between physical attractions, an obedient man stands before two deities.

Executive Producer

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

Unemployees

Unemployees · 2023

Two college grads enter the workplace seeking gainful unemployment.

Director

The Nookie

The Nookie · 2025

MovieHorrorRomance

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

Executive Producer

Unholy Mother

MovieThrillerHorror

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

Executive Producer

ALTERLIFE

ALTERLIFE · 2025

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

Executive Producer

Pets

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

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

Pear

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

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

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

Dead Weight

Dead Weight · 2025

MovieDramaHorror

A man struggles to leave his undead wife.

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

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

Are We Immortal

Are We Immortal · 2025

Are We Immortal

Two friends are given the choice of immortality after meeting a mysterious stranger.

Executive Producer

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

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

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.

The Aberdeens are Coming

The Aberdeens are Coming

The Aberdeens are Coming

A middle-aged woman must grapple with her hypersensitivity to noise as she prepares for the arrival of her son and his fiancé.

Executive Producer

.44 Caliber Love Letter

.44 Caliber Love Letter

.44 Caliber Love Letter

After a series of haunting Polaroids begin appearing around her school, a college-bound senior is forced to confront a buried act of cruelty as paranoia and guilt spiral toward an irreversible act.

Executive Producer

Coyote

MovieDramaHorror

A distraught squatter tries to cope with his werewolf nature through drugs and music.

Writer

Birthday Boy

Birthday Boy · 1999

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

Director

Soft Hands, Closed Fists

Soft Hands, Closed Fists

Soft Hands, Closed Fists

A young woman moves through her days. Something shifts.

Executive Producer