Joel Potrykus
Biography
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 & Full Filmography10 Titles
Movie - 2016, 2h 15m • as Derek
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.
Movie - 2015, 2h 15m • as Derek
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.
Movie - 2026, 2h 15m • as The Professor (voice)
The Thing, The Woods, And I is a comedy where a group of filmmaking students attempt to make a movie, but face errors, mistakes, and more due to the strong oddball personalities of those both behind and in front of the camera.
Movie - 2020, 2h 15m • as Joel the Neighbor
A disturbed cabdriver descends into madness while holding a young woman captive.
Movie - 2025, 2h 15m • as Derek Skiba
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.
Movie - 2017, 2h 15m • as Self
A womanizing man-child binges on sex and alcohol, experiments with ayahuasca for addiction therapy and comes to terms with past mistakes.
Movie - 2023, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
A conversation about simulations leads to a collapse of realities, atypical antics ensue.
Movie - 2022, 2h 15m • as Bucky
A gang of low-rent mob goons plot a heist, only to be forced to confront radioactive evil from beyond the grave.
Movie - 2020, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Joel Potrykus calls fellow indie filmmakers during the pandemic crisis to check in and see how they're holding up.
Movie - 2018, 2h 15m • as Self - Narrator (voice)
A short documentary about the impact of the late Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch (aka MCA) on the life and work of director Joel Potrykus.