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J.R. Bookwalter

J.R. Bookwalter

Producer, editor, actor, director, writer and cinematographer, also composer · Born August 16, 1966 (60) · Akron, Ohio, USA

J.R. Bookwalter began his filmmaking career at the tender age of 11 years old in Akron, Ohio. Born August 16th, 1966, Bookwalter was raised on Dark Shadows (1966), the classic soap opera, which his mother used to watch religiously. After graduating high school in 1984, Bookwalter took photography classes at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. When his apartment was robbed a week into his second year there, the fledgling director took it as a sign to return home, and a mere month later he touched base with filmmaker Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead (1981)), who would wind up financing his first feature-length effort, The Dead Next Door (1989). That production dragged on for nearly four years, finally being completed in Los Angeles, where Bookwalter ran into David DeCoteau (Creepozoids (1987)), a producer who was in the early stages of starting a distribution company. From 1989 to 1992, Bookwalter wound up either writing, directing, producing, scoring or mixing the sound for nine features and four special interest videos for DeCoteau. In 1991, Bookwalter used what he learned from DeCoteau to start Tempe Entertainment and began self-distributing his features, such as the critically-acclaimed Ozone (1993). Bookwalter has taught himself the ins and outs of low-budget production; in addition to the duties above, he has also done a bit of acting, explosives work, makeup effects, lighting, cinematography...you name it, and J.R. Bookwalter has probably at least tried it. He feels that working with talents as varied as Raimi, DeCoteau, Night of the Living Dead (1990) co-creator John A. Russo and B-movie maven Charles Band has taught him when and where to cut corners in the name of a low-cost movie and when and where to work harder in the name of art.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
August 16, 1966 (60)
From
Akron, Ohio, USA
Works as
Producer, editor, actor, director, writer and cinematographer, also composer
Titles
24 on Motif · 74 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Up 46% in 30 days

What are J.R. Bookwalter's films like?

Across their 21 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Horror9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 8th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 5th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 7th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
37%
Morality
20%
Society
13%
Self
12%
Bonds
10%
Power
5%
Ideas
3%
Survival11 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 7 · Wry 4 · Earnest 10

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 12 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 10 · Charged 10 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 5

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 16 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 18 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Absurd
14
Dread
9
Thrilling
4
Melancholic
4
Other
7

How their films linger

Unsettling13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous11

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch J.R. Bookwalter's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 24 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (19).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for J.R. Bookwalter's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

74 credits, 24 with a Motif page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Mulva: Demon Ass Kicker (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2025)

    Executive Producer

  • Side Effects May Vary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Executive Producer

  • Clownado(2019)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Her Name Was Christa(2020)

    as Orderly Lance Randas

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Robot Ninja (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    Characters

  • Return to Blood Fart Lake(2011)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Bloody Mary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    Editor · Sound

  • Gimme Skelter (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    Thanks

  • Frankenstein & the Werewolf Reborn!(2005)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • October Moon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    Executive Producer

  • Heather and Puggly Crucify the Devil (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    Thanks

  • The Naked Monster(2005)

    as Screaming Townsfolk

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Possessed (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    Producer

  • Final Curtain (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as interviewee

  • Something to Scream About (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Editor · Executive Producer

  • Bad Movie Police Case #1: Galaxy of the Dinosaurs(2003)

    Editor · Producer · Story · as Lance Randas

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bad Movie Police: Case #2: ChickBoxer (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    as The Chief (voice)

  • Zombiegeddon(2003)

    as Harvey Lawson / Crazed Professor

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Deadly Stingers(2003)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Jigsaw(2002)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Groom Lake (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Producer · Second Unit Director

  • Hell Asylum (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Casting · Executive Producer

  • Dead & Rotting(2002)

    Casting · Executive Producer · Post Production Supervisor

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Assistant Editor · Executive Producer · Post Production Supervisor

  • Bleed(2002)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Witchouse 3: Demon Fire(2001)

    Director · Casting · Editor · Post Production Supervisor · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Brotherhood 2: Young Warlocks(2001)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Final Stab (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    Assistant Editor · Dialogue Editor · Post Production Supervisor · Producer

  • The Brotherhood(2001)

    Dialogue Editor · Editor · Post Production Supervisor

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Vault(2001)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Stitches (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    Producer

  • Horrorvision (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    Producer · Story

  • My Darker Half (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Editor · Thanks

  • Witchouse II: Blood Coven (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Editor

  • Shandra: The Jungle Girl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Alley Drunk

  • Blood Dolls(1999)

    Post Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Pleasurecraft (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Online Editor

  • Penthouse: The All New Pet Workout (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Editor

  • Frankenstein Reborn!(1998)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Talisman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Additional Editing · Sound Mixer

  • Curse of the Puppet Master(1998)

    Editor · as Tommy Berke

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Shrieker (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Editor

  • Bloodletting (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Editor

  • Polymorph (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Story

  • The Sandman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · as Gerald Rivers Announcer

  • Ozone (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Evidence Room Detective

  • City of the Vampires (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Executive Producer

  • Girlfriends (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Dream Father

  • Goblin (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Executive Producer

  • Midnight 2 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Production Manager · Title Designer

  • The Witching (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Editor

  • Galaxy of the Dinosaurs(1992)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Humanoids from Atlantis(1992)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Story · as Shemp Movie Director

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Maximum Impact (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Director · Camera Operator · Editor · Main Title Designer · Producer · Story · Writer

  • Chickboxer (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Editor · Producer · Title Designer · as Irate Video Store Cashier

  • Dominion (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Executive Producer

  • Scream Queens Swimsuit Sensations (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Editor

  • Zombie Cop(1991)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Story · as Detective Tremmel / Reverend (voice)

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Kingdom of the Vampire (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Story · as Carry-Out Customer

  • Shock Cinema: Volume Four (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Shock Cinema: Volume One (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Editor · as Himself

  • Shock Cinema: Volume Three (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Shock Cinema: Volume Two (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Editor

  • Skinned Alive(1990)

    Composer · Producer · as Jehova's Witness

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Ghoul School(1990)

    as Generic Student #113

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Robot Ninja (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Director · Composer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Spinell

  • The Dead Next Door(1989)

    Director · Composer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Lloyds

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Murder Weapon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • The Basement (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Production Assistant

  • Tomorrow (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Zombie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    Director · Actor

  • Burning of the Salem Witches (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · as The Guard

  • The Flesh Eater (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Zombie! (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

Career shape

A full career of 73 titles, 72 of them dated from 1979 to 2025.

Highest rated

Her Name Was Christa (2020)

Midcredits 45th

Most popular right now

Zombie Cop (1991)

Film career

  • 1989Screen debut· The Dead Next Door

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting22 of 73: 9 only acting, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score7thDirecting22 of 73: 3 only directing, 19 with another role · typical Midcredits score4thWriting16 of 73: 1 only writing, 15 with another role · typical Midcredits score6thProducing32 of 73: 9 only producing, 23 with another role · typical Midcredits score4thMusic3 of 73: 0 only music, 3 with another roleCinematography7 of 73: 0 only cinematography, 7 with another roleEditing30 of 73: 10 only editing, 20 with another role · typical Midcredits score8thOther crew20 of 73: 8 only other crew, 12 with another role · typical Midcredits score9th

73 titles, 33 with more than one role — producing and editing overlap on 14 of them.

By decade

1970s2 · 1 acting · 2 crew1980s6 · 4 acting · 5 crew1990s31 · 11 acting · 28 crew2000s26 · 5 acting · 22 crew2010s3 · crew2020s4 · 1 acting · 3 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored.

How do J.R. Bookwalter's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 7th percentile, the median of all 24; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 8th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

8thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

9thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 24 titles, by percentile

  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th21

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 24 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor, writer, producer, editor

Bad Movie Police Case #1: Galaxy of the Dinosaurs (2003)

96th percentile spread · 75% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Her Name Was Christa (2020)

Midcredits 45th · 60% liked

Reviewers score the pacing 28/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 50, detractors 17. The element that speaks to their work as an editor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does J.R. Bookwalter work with?

People who share at least 2 of J.R. Bookwalter's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Charles Band shares the most, 11.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles