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John Stockwell

John Stockwell

Actor, director and writer, also producer · Born March 25, 1961 (65) · Galveston, Texas, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John Stockwell (born March 25, 1961) is an American actor, director, producer, writer and former model. Stockwell was born John Stockwell Samuels IV in Galveston, Texas, the son of an attorney. His first feature film as an actor came in 1981's So Fine. His well known roles came in the 1983 comedy film Losin' It as Spider; later that year, he starred in the John Carpenter horror movie Christine as Dennis Guilder and the 1985 comedy film, My Science Project as Michael Harlan. In 1986 he appeared in Top Gun as Cougar. He made guest appearances on TV shows including The Young Riders and Friday the 13th: The Series. He began his career as international model, spending much of his time in Italy. During his time as a model, John became a friend of Andy Warhol and Stockwell was mentioned frequently in the artist's memoirs,The Warhol Diaries. Stockwell directed several films, including Cheaters (2000), Crazy/Beautiful (2001), Blue Crush (2002), Into the Blue (2005), Turistas (2006), and Heart (2009). Description above from the Wikipedia article John Stockwell (actor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 25, 1961 (65)
From
Galveston, Texas, USA
Works as
Actor, director and writer, also producer
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 46 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 27% in 30 days

What are John Stockwell's films like?

Across their 30 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Action14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove 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
Self
29%
Bonds
22%
Morality
20%
Survival
13%
Power
10%
Ideas
5%
Society
1%
Survival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 12 · Serious 9 · Dark 9

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 16 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 5 · Charged 15 · Intense 10

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 5

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 15 · Some laughs 12 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 24 · Relentless 2

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

A split, not a type: Casual 16 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 13 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 24 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 8 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Herald
1 of 8
Threshold guardian
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
20
Thrilling
11
Dread
6
Absurd
6
Melancholic
7
Other
29

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet13
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3

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 John Stockwell's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Stockwell's titles on MovieCove; 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

46 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Armed Response(2017)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Kickboxer: Vengeance(2016)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Countdown(2016)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Cat Run 2(2014)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Kid Cannabis(2014)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • In the Blood(2014)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Breaking the Girls(2012)

    as David Layton

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Code Name: Geronimo(2012)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Dark Tide(2012)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Cat Run(2011)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Middle of Nowhere(2008)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Turistas(2006)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Into the Blue(2005)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The L Word(2004)

    Show 4 episodes · Director · as John Stockwell

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Blue Crush(2002)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Rock Star(2001)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Crazy/Beautiful(2001)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Cheaters(2000)

    Director · Writer · as News Producer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Breast Men(1997)

    Screenplay · as Robert Renaud

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Legal Deceit(1997)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Stag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Victor Mallick

  • The Nurse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Jack Martin

  • I Shot a Man in Vegas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Grant

  • Relativity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Nixon(1995)

    as Staffer #1

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Aurora: Operation Intercept (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Andy Aldrich

  • Hart to Hart: Crimes of the Hart(1994)

    as Peter Rubin

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Born to Ride(1991)

    as Capt. Jack Hassler

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Millions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as David Phipps

  • The Eyes of the Panther (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Malcolm Barrington

  • Nightmare Classics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 4 episodes · as Malcom Barrington

  • Under Cover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer

  • Billionaire Boys Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Brad Sedgwick

  • Billionaire Boys Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · as Brad Sedgwick

  • Friday the 13th: The Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Tim Ayres

  • Radioactive Dreams(1984)

    as Phillip Chandler

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Top Gun(1986)

    as Cougar

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Dangerously Close(1986)

    Screenplay · as Randy McDevitt

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • North & South: Book 1, North & South(1985)

    Show 4 episodes · as Billy Hazard

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • City Limits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Lee

  • My Science Project(1985)

    as Michael Harlan

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Christine(1983)

    as Dennis Guilder

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Quarterback Princess(1983)

    as Scott Massey

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Eddie and the Cruisers(1983)

    as Keith Livingston

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Losin' It(1982)

    as Spider

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • So Fine(1981)

    as Jim Sterling

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 46 titles from 1981 to 2017; peak year 1984.

Biggest box office

Top Gun (1986)

$361M worldwide

Highest rated

Top Gun (1986)

Midcredits 81st

Film career

19812017

Peak 1984 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting30 of 46: 26 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdDirecting17 of 46: 10 only directing, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score32ndWriting7 of 46: 1 only writing, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score47thProducing2 of 46: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

46 titles, 9 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1980s17 · 16 acting · 2 crew1990s11 · 11 acting · 1 crew2000s8 · 2 acting · 8 crew2010s10 · 1 acting · 9 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 33% of 12 roles
8186

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 MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do John Stockwell's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 36th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 30 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 35th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 33 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

Legal Deceit (1997)

76th percentile spread · 77% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

North & South: Book 1, North & South (1985)

Midcredits 90th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 57/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 71, detractors 35. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; 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 MovieCove 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.

Is John Stockwell's work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles26–86 · median 66 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles22–72 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles39–72 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 40 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 64 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does John Stockwell work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Stockwell's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Paul Haslinger shares the most, 6.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers