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John Carl Buechler

John Carl Buechler

Director, actor, writer and producer · Died March 18, 2019, aged 66 · Belleville, Illinois, USA

John Carl Buechler (pronounced Beekler) was an American director, actor, and special effects and makeup artist. He was born in Belleville, Illinois, and is probably best known for directing Troll (1986), Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988), Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College (1990) and 2006The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (200&). John Carl Buechler was born on June 1, 1952, in Belleville (Illinois), and he died on March 18, 2019, in Los Angeles (California).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 18, 1952
Died
March 18, 2019 (aged 66)
From
Belleville, Illinois, USA
Works as
Director, actor, writer and producer
Titles
56 on Motif · 85 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 28Down 15% in 30 days

What are John Carl Buechler's films like?

Across their 15 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Bonds.

Genres

Horror6 titlesTypical Motif score: 12th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Motif score: 8th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Fantasy2 titlesTypical Motif score: 12th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Fantasy movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif 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
40%
Bonds
16%
Self
15%
Ideas
12%
Morality
8%
Society
7%
Power
2%
Survival9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 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 2 · Wry 5 · Earnest 7

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 8 · Serious 5 · Dark 1

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

Grounded 5 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 5 · Charged 6 · Intense 3

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 2

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 12 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Absurd
6
Thrilling
5
Dread
3
Hopeful
3
Other
5

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet6
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

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 Carl Buechler's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 43 of their 56 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (39).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Carl Buechler's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif 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

85 credits, 56 with a Motif page; 14 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Wizardream (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2025)

    Director

  • Cutter's Club (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2025)

    Special Effects

  • Beneath the Black Veil (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    as Mr. Jensen

  • Catch of the Day(2014)

    as Detective Martin Spangler

    Motif score: 11th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Halloween 6: Producer's Cut (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    Makeup Effects

  • Hallow Pointe (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Creative Producer · as Lazlo

  • Hatchet II(2010)

    as Jack Cracker

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Blood Scarab (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2008)

    Special Effects

  • Gingerdead Man 2: Passion of the Crust(2008)

    as Orson Biggs

    Motif score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Evil Bong(2006)

    as Gingerdead Man Puppeteer / Voice

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Eden Formula (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Writer

  • Hatchet(2006)

    Special Effects · as Jack Cracker

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Writer

  • Saurian(2006)

    Director · Writer

    Motif score: 28th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Making of: The Gingerdead Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • The Gingerdead Man(2005)

    Special Effects

    Motif score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Mortuary(2005)

    Special Effects

    Motif score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Out for Blood(2004)

    Makeup Supervisor

    Motif score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Countess Dracula's Orgy of Blood (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    Special Effects

  • Grandpa's Place (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    Director

  • Dr. Moreau's House of Pain (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • A Light in the Forest(2003)

    Director · Writer

    Motif score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Mummy's Kiss (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • Dark Wolf (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Special Effects

  • Curse of the Forty-Niner(2002)

    Director · Special Effects

    Motif score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Deep Freeze(2001)

    Director · Producer · Special Effects

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • After the Storm(2001)

    Special Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Watchers Reborn(1998)

    Director · Special Effects

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Alien Escape (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Makeup Designer

  • Carnosaur 3: Primal Species(1996)

    Special Effects

    Motif score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Freeway(1996)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all films

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

    Special Effects

  • Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers(1995)

    Makeup Effects Designer

    Motif score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Not of This Earth(1995)

    as The Other

    Motif score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Bikini Drive-In (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Special Effects

  • Scanner Cop II(1995)

    Makeup Designer

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

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

    Special Effects

  • Project: Metalbeast (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Makeup Designer · Special Effects

  • Tammy and the T-Rex(1994)

    Makeup Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Biohazard: The Alien Force (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Special Effects

  • Scanner Cop(1994)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist · Special Effects Supervisor

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Dinosaur Island (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Special Effects

  • Necronomicon: Book of Dead(1993)

    Special Effects Supervisor

    Motif score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Carnosaur(1993)

    Special Effects

    Motif score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Red Rock West(1993)

    Makeup Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Seedpeople(1992)

    Second Unit Director of Photography · Special Effects

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Demonic Toys(1992)

    Second Unit Director

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Videozone: Making of Demonic Toys (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Land of the Lost(1991)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Robot Jox(1989)

    Makeup Effects

    Motif score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Ghoulies Go to College(1991)

    Director · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Sleeping Car(1990)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist · as The Mister

    Motif score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Arena(1989)

    Creature Design

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Laughing Dead (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • To Die For (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers(1988)

    Makeup Effects Designer

    Motif score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Cellar Dweller(1987)

    Director · Creature Design · Makeup Effects · Modeling

    Motif score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Ghost Town(1988)

    Special Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Special Effects Supervisor

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Friday the 13th: The New Blood(1988)

    Director · Line Producer

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Demonwarp(1988)

    Creature Design · Story

    Motif score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Pulse Pounders(1988)

    Makeup Designer

    Motif score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Trancers: City of Lost Angels (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Special Effects

  • Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity(1987)

    Creature Design · Special Effects

    Motif score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Garbage Pail Kids Movie(1987)

    Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Caller(1987)

    Special Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Special Effects Supervisor

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Dolls(1986)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Vicious Lips(1986)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • From Beyond(1986)

    Special Effects Coordinator

    Motif score: 68th percentile of all films

  • TerrorVision(1986)

    Special Effects

    Motif score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Eliminators(1986)

    Makeup Designer · Makeup Effects · Special Effects

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Troll(1986)

    Director · Creature Design · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Story · as Sorcerer (uncredited)

    Motif score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Re-Animator(1985)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Fright Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Makeup Artist · as (segment "The Thing in the Basement")

  • Zone Troopers(1985)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Hard Rock Zombies (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Second Unit Director · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Special Effects Supervisor

  • Ghoulies(1984)

    Creature Design · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Trancers(1984)

    Special Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Dungeonmaster(1984)

    Director · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Writer

    Motif score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Journeys through the Darkzone (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • The Prey(1983)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Deathstalker(1983)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Love Letters(1983)

    Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Forbidden World(1982)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Motif score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Sorceress(1982)

    Creature Design

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Stingray (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Makeup Artist · as The Flamer

Career shape

A full career of 85 titles from 1978 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Friday the 13th: The New Blood (1988)

$19M worldwide

Highest rated

To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story (2017)

Motif 94th

Most popular right now

Friday the 13th: The New Blood (1988)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting14 of 85: 8 only acting, 6 with another role · typical Motif score12thDirecting15 of 85: 3 only directing, 12 with another role · typical Motif score12thWriting8 of 85: 0 only writing, 8 with another role · typical Motif score13thProducing2 of 85: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleCinematography1 of 85: 0 only cinematography, 1 with another roleOther crew68 of 85: 55 only other crew, 13 with another role · typical Motif score17th

85 titles, 19 with more than one role — other crew and directing overlap on 7 of them.

By decade

1970s1 · 1 acting · 1 crew1980s32 · 2 acting · 32 crew1990s25 · 3 acting · 23 crew2000s20 · 4 acting · 17 crew2010s5 · 4 acting · 2 crew2020s2 · crew

Billing

usually 14th · top billed in 0% of 5 roles

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 Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do John Carl Buechler's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 16th percentile, the median of all 55; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 15th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

15thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

11thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Motif score across 56 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th37

Shape of the crowd

39 of their 56 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned4
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed39

Most divisive · actor

Catch of the Day (2014)

95th percentile spread · 64% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Land of the Lost (1991)

Motif 41st · 68% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 41/100 and the pacing 44/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

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 Motif 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.

Is John Carl Buechler's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 Motif titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles43–62 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 31
Profanity3 titlesmedian 70 · intenseMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 55 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 58 · moderateMedian 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 Carl Buechler work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Carl Buechler's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Charles Band shares the most, 4.

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles