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Roxanne Benjamin
Roxanne Benjamin
Roxanne Benjamin
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Roxanne Benjamin is an American film director, writer, and producer. She is best known for directing the horror films Body at Brighton Rock and There's Something Wrong with the Children and as one of the creators and producers of the V/H/S horror anthology films, having developed and produced V/H/S and V/H/S/2.[1] She also produced the genre anthology Southbound, along with directing and writing on the film, and wrote and produced multiple segments of the anthology film XX.[1][2][3]

Key Information

Life and career

[edit]

Roxanne Benjamin was born and raised in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Benjamin began their filmmaking career as a producer, developing and producing genre films and anthologies, most notably V/H/S, XX, and Southbound. Benjamin is a credited producer on V/H/S and its sequel V/H/S/2 and worked on development of the third entry in the franchise before parting ways with the series to move on to directing.[4]

Benjamin then wrote and directed segments for Southbound, a film which she also developed and produced with a number of the original V/H/S creative team. The film premiered at TIFF in the Midnight section in 2015, along with another film that Benjamin is a credited Co-producer on, The Devil's Candy. Benjamin was then brought on to the anthology feature XX, directing and writing their own segment and co-writing and producing another with artist and musician St. Vincent.

In 2016, Benjamin directed a gore-heavy horror-themed music video for indie band Cherry Glazerr's song "Nurse Ratched", featuring lead singer Clementine Creevy stalking former band member Sasami Ashworth through the woods [5]

In 2019, Benjamin's survival thriller Body at Brighton Rock, their first solo feature film, premiered at SXSW. Their second feature film, There's Something Wrong with the Children was released in 2023 with Amazon and MGM+, with Blumhouse Productions producing.[6][7]

in between the two films, Benjamin directed multiple television series focused in the genre space, including horror anthology Creepshow for Shudder, the CW's Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina for Netflix, Nancy Drew, One of Us Is Lying, and HBO Max's Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.

In March 2019, Benjamin was hired to write the screenplay for the remake of Night of the Comet for Orion Pictures.[8] In July 2021, Benjamin signed on to direct an American remake of the Spanish horror film La cueva titled Fall Into Darkness.[9]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2012 V/H/S No No Yes
2013 V/H/S/2 No No Yes Role as Zombie
2019 Body at Brighton Rock Yes Yes Yes
2023 There's Something Wrong with the Children Yes No No

Co-producer

Anthology segments, music videos, and commercial projects

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2015 Siren Yes Yes Yes Segment of Southbound;
role as Claire
2016 Nurse Ratched Yes Yes Yes Cherry Glazerr music video
2017 Don't Fall Yes Yes Yes Segment of XX
2017 The Birthday Party No Yes – cowriter Yes Segment of XX
2018 Final Stop Yes Yes No Commercial project for Sennheiser

Television

[edit]
Year Title Notes
2019 Creepshow Episodes: "Lydia Lane's Better Half", "Skinwalkers"
2020 Riverdale Episode: "Chapter Sixty-Seven: Varsity Blues"
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Episode: "Chapter Twenty-Five: The Devil Within"
2021 Nancy Drew Episodes: "The Legend of the Spider Sapphire", "The Quest for the Murder Hotel"
2022 Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Episode: "Chapter Nine: Dead and Buried"
One of Us Is Lying Episodes: "Simon Says You Better Pray", "Simon Says Ho, Ho, Ho"
2023 Pretty Little Liars: Summer School 2 Episodes

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Roxanne Benjamin

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Roxanne Benjamin is an American filmmaker specializing in the horror genre, working as a director, , and across film and television. Born and raised in , she holds a in visual and with a concentration in from and a Master of Entertainment Industry Management from Carnegie Mellon University's College, earned in 2009. Benjamin launched her career in production, serving as a producer on the horror anthology films V/H/S (2012) and V/H/S/2 (2013), which premiered at Sundance's Midnight section and helped establish her in independent horror. She also produced the anthologies Southbound (2015) and XX (2017), both of which featured her as a director of individual segments: "Siren" in Southbound and "Don't Fall" in XX, and continued producing the V/H/S series, including V/H/S/Beyond (2024). Her feature-length directorial debut, Body at Brighton Rock (2019), is a thriller following a young park ranger who discovers a body during a routine shift, which she also wrote and produced; it premiered at South by Southwest. Benjamin's second feature, There's Something Wrong with the Children (2023), a Shudder original produced by Blumhouse, explores a family's terrifying encounter at a remote cabin and has been praised for advancing her voice in indie horror. In addition to her film work, Benjamin has directed episodes for notable television series, including (2019–present), Riverdale (2017–2023), Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (2022–2024), and (2019–2023), often focusing on thriller and mystery elements. She has also written scripts, such as a remake of for , announced in 2019. Based in , Benjamin is recognized for her collaborative approach in genre filmmaking and her emphasis on strong female characters in horror narratives.

Early life and education

Childhood and upbringing

Roxanne Benjamin was born and raised in , a small town in , nestled in the region. Growing up in this rural setting, Benjamin spent much of her childhood exploring the outdoors, playing in the woods amid wild animals and returning home only after dark. These experiences instilled an early sense of eeriness and imaginative wonder, which she later reflected on as influencing her affinity for horror storytelling.

Academic background and early influences

Roxanne Benjamin earned a Master of Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM) degree from in 2009. The program, a two-year professional graduate degree, is jointly offered by Carnegie Mellon's Heinz College of Information Systems and and the College of Fine Arts, integrating business acumen with artistic perspectives to prepare students for leadership roles in the entertainment sector. The MEIM curriculum emphasizes practical skills in media management, production, finance, marketing, and through industry projects and collaborations. Students engage in coursework that covers economics, , and creative production strategies, fostering an understanding of how to navigate the business side of , television, and . This dual-degree structure allowed Benjamin to blend analytical tools from with dramatic arts training, shaping her approach to independent filmmaking. She earned a in visual and with a concentration in from . During her undergraduate years at in Nashville, Benjamin worked part-time at an independent art house cinema, where she gained hands-on exposure to diverse films and the operational aspects of exhibition. This experience ignited her passion for cinema, introducing her to diverse films through the art house setting. After completing her undergraduate degree, she enrolled in Carnegie Mellon's MEIM program, which required relocation to for the second year to gain industry experience.

Professional career

Entry into film production

After graduating from college with a degree in visual and performing arts and a concentration in , Roxanne Benjamin earned a Master of Entertainment Industry Management from in 2009, then relocated to to enter the film industry on the executive side. She began in entry-level positions in acquisitions and development, working on a distribution line in partnership with Vivendi Universal and , where the company released 12 to 15 titles annually. Benjamin's first major producing credit came with the 2012 horror anthology V/H/S, which she co-produced alongside Brad Miska under Bloody Disgusting. The project originated as a proposed television series by producer Gary Binkow before evolving into a feature-length found-footage anthology, with production spanning eight to nine months on a low budget that emphasized resourcefulness and authentic VHS aesthetics. In developing the film, Benjamin and Miska collaborated closely with a roster of genre directors, including Adam Wingard, who contributed the segment "Tape 56," selecting talent from festival circuits like Sundance and Toronto to ensure a mix of established and emerging voices in independent horror. Building on this success, Benjamin co-produced V/H/S/2 in 2013, further refining the anthology format by incorporating a stronger wraparound to tie the segments together more cohesively than its predecessor. The film premiered at the in the Park City at Midnight section, gaining critical attention for elevating the series' intensity and production values within the found-footage subgenre. As a new producer in the independent horror scene, Benjamin navigated significant challenges, including severe budget constraints that required innovative problem-solving on sets and in , as well as the demands of coordinating multiple directors and crews across disparate segments. She also faced hurdles in festival circuits, where securing premieres like Sundance demanded strategic networking without a traditional pedigree, while broader industry barriers for women transitioning from indie producing to larger projects added layers of difficulty.

Contributions to horror anthologies

Roxanne Benjamin emerged as a key figure in revitalizing the horror anthology format through her multifaceted roles as , , and director, beginning with her production work on (2013). As a , she collaborated with to oversee the film's found-footage segments, contributing to its emphasis on visceral, low-budget terror that influenced subsequent indie horror projects. Benjamin made her directorial debut in the genre with the "Sirens" segment of the interconnected anthology Southbound (2015), which she also co-wrote with Susan Burke. The story centers on three members of an all-female punk band—Sadie, Ava, and Kim—whose van breaks down on a remote , leading them to accept a ride from a seemingly friendly couple who take them to a house where strange behaviors emerge, culminating in a and Sadie's desperate escape attempt amid horror. The narrative builds tension through the women's growing unease, tying into the film's larger web of moral reckonings and consequences. Thematically, "Sirens" embodies road horror by exploiting the isolation of vast American landscapes to underscore themes of vulnerability, misplaced trust, and the hidden depravities lurking in everyday encounters. Southbound premiered at (SXSW) in 2015, where it was praised for its taut pacing and innovative structure linking five tales along a cursed stretch of , earning acclaim as a fresh take on the omnibus format without filler segments. Critics highlighted Benjamin's entry as effectively creepy and conventional in the best sense, bolstered by strong performances, particularly from as the group's pragmatic leader, contributing to the 's overall reputation as a solid mid-tier horror anthology. In XX (2017), an all-female-directed horror anthology, Benjamin wrote and directed "Don't Fall," further advancing female perspectives in the genre. The segment follows four friends—Paul, Gretchen, Jess, and Jay—on a desert hiking trip where Gretchen's fear of heights is mocked by her boyfriend Paul; their teasing escalates into horror when they disturb a ravenous, raptor-like creature that picks them off one by one, transforming the outing into a brutal survival ordeal. Drawing on practical effects for the monster's design, the story critiques toxic masculinity through Gretchen's arc, using the beast as a metaphor for the emotional and physical toll of belittling relationships, while incorporating elements of body horror in its visceral attacks. XX represented a deliberate initiative to amplify women in horror directing, with Benjamin's segment often cited as a standout for its efficient scares and homage to films like The Descent. Benjamin's anthology work has significantly impacted the format by promoting collaborative storytelling and elevating underrepresented voices, as seen in her extensive partnerships across over 40 producers and 20 directors in the genre. Her producer credits on related projects, such as Holidays (2016), extended this support to emerging talents exploring holiday-themed terrors. These efforts paved the way for her transition to solo feature directing, where she continued to explore intimate psychological horrors.

Feature films as director

Roxanne Benjamin made her feature directorial debut with (2019), a thriller she also wrote and produced. The film follows Wendy, a played by Karina Fontes, who discovers a possible corpse on a remote in a mountainous and must guard it overnight while isolated and facing escalating and environmental threats. It premiered in the Midnighters section at on March 8, 2019, and received a limited theatrical and VOD release on April 26, 2019, through Magnet Releasing, later becoming available on streaming platforms including . The movie earned a nomination for the Award for Best Storytime Feature Narrative at the 2019 Festival. Benjamin's second feature, There's Something Wrong with the Children (2023), marked her collaboration with as director, adapting a screenplay by TJ Cimfel and David White. The story centers on two couples on a weekend getaway in the woods with their young children, who begin exhibiting eerie, supernatural behavior that unravels the adults' perceptions of reality and family bonds, starring , , and . It debuted on VOD and digital platforms on January 17, 2023, followed by a streaming release on MGM+ in March 2023 and availability on , where critics noted its effective buildup of tense, claustrophobic dread through subtle elements. Reviews highlighted the film's strong midsection for its perceptual and atmospheric suspense, though some found the execution uneven overall. Across these features, Benjamin's directorial style has evolved from her anthology roots to emphasize character-driven horror centered on flawed female protagonists navigating isolation and self-doubt, blending slow-burn suspense with relatable, everyday anxieties rather than overt gore. In Body at Brighton Rock, the protagonist's vulnerability underscores themes of underestimation and resilience, while There's Something Wrong with the Children extends this to maternal instincts amid uncanny familial disruption, showcasing Benjamin's affinity for messy, human-centered heroines in genre storytelling. This approach has positioned her as a distinctive voice in independent horror, prioritizing emotional authenticity and perceptual tension over jump scares.

Television directing and expansion

Roxanne Benjamin expanded her directing career into television following her work in independent horror films, leveraging her expertise in genre storytelling to helm episodes of and serialized series. In 2019, she directed segments for the Shudder series , including "Lydia Layne's Better Half" (Season 1, Episode 4), a tale of betrayal and supernatural revenge starring , and "Skincrawlers" (Season 1, Episode 6), emphasizing her affinity for self-contained horror narratives akin to her film segments. This collaboration with Shudder marked her entry into premium cable horror television, where she adapted classic formats to episodic structures, blending tension and within tight production constraints. Benjamin's television portfolio grew to include teen-oriented thrillers, showcasing her ability to navigate serialized and elements. For Netflix's , she directed Season 3, Episode 5, "Chapter Twenty-Five: The Devil Within" (2020), which explored demonic possessions and interpersonal conflicts among young witches, highlighting adaptation challenges from source material under showrunner . Similarly, in Riverdale Season 4, Episode 10, "Chapter Sixty-Seven: Varsity Blues" (2020), she helmed a crossover-infused installment involving college scandals and hidden motives, demonstrating her skill in balancing ensemble casts and escalating mysteries within the CW's fast-paced production rhythm. She also directed episodes of , including "The Legend of the " and "The Quest for the Spider Sapphire" in Season 2 (2021), further showcasing her work in mystery series. These projects underscored her growing niche in teen thrillers, where she infused horror tropes with emotional depth and relational dynamics. In 2022, Benjamin directed "Chapter Nine: Dead and Buried" for Max's : Season 1, Episode 9, a pivotal mystery arc that unraveled long-buried secrets among a group of , emphasizing themes of trauma and in a slasher-inflected . This episode, part of her third collaboration with Aguirre-Sacasa, exemplified her approach to intensifying through character-driven reveals and atmospheric tension. Her television work has broadened the scope of TV horror by integrating indie sensibilities into mainstream series, particularly in teen mysteries, while managing demanding schedules across multiple productions—from shoots for Sabrina to Vancouver-based Riverdale episodes—allowing her to maintain creative consistency amid logistical variances.

Filmography

Feature films

Roxanne Benjamin's feature film credits span directing, writing, and producing roles, primarily within the horror genre. Her work includes contributions to features and solo directorial efforts.
YearTitleRoleKey Cast and Crew Highlights
2012V/H/SProducerDirected by , , , , , and Calvin Reeder; starring Calvin Reeder, Lane Hughes, , , and .
2013ProducerDirected by Simon Barrett, , Gareth Huw Evans, Gregg Hale, , and ; starring Wingard, Barrett, and Hannah Hughes.
2015SouthboundCo-director (segment "Siren"), producer, screenwriterCo-directed by , , , Patrick Horvath, Justin Martinez, and ; starring , , , and Nathalie Love.
2017XXDirector (segment "Don't Fall"), producer, screenwriterCo-directed by Sofía Carrillo, , St. Vincent, and Jovanka Vuckovic; starring Natalie Brown, , , , and .
2019Director, writer, producerStarring Karina Fontes, Casey Adams, Emily Althaus, Miranda Bailey, and ; music by David A. Smith.
2023There's Something Wrong with the ChildrenDirectorWritten by T.J. Cimfel and David White; starring , , , and Carlos Santos.

Anthology segments and shorts

Roxanne Benjamin's early contributions to the horror genre were primarily as a producer on the found-footage anthology series V/H/S, where she helped develop and assemble multiple short segments from various directors. For the 2012 film V/H/S, she served as a producer, overseeing the production of its five interconnected short horror vignettes that blend amateur footage with supernatural and slasher elements. She continued in this role for V/H/S/2 in 2013, producing its four segments, including tales of alien encounters and cult rituals, which expanded the franchise's scope while maintaining its raw, tape-recorded aesthetic. Benjamin's producing work on these anthologies established her reputation for curating innovative, low-budget horror shorts that emphasized visceral tension and collaborative storytelling. Transitioning to directing, Benjamin helmed the "Siren" segment in the anthology Southbound, a desert-set she also co-produced and co-wrote. In "Siren," three young women on a encounter a sinister roadside encounter that spirals into psychological dread and , showcasing Benjamin's ability to build through interpersonal dynamics and atmospheric isolation. The segment, part of Southbound's five interwoven tales of moral reckoning, highlights her focus on female perspectives in peril, a theme that recurs in her later work. In 2017, Benjamin directed and wrote "Don't Fall" for the all-female horror anthology XX, contributing to its mission of elevating women-led narratives in the genre. The segment follows a group of friends on a hiking trip who disturb a malevolent entity in the wilderness, blending creature feature elements with themes of regret and consequence through practical effects and escalating paranoia. "Don't Fall" stands out for its tense outdoor setting and Benjamin's taut pacing, which prioritizes character-driven horror over jump scares. Beyond anthologies, Benjamin directed the music video for Cherry Glazerr's "" in 2016, a gore-infused homage to classic horror tropes featuring the band's lead singer in a nightmarish, blood-soaked scenario inspired by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. This short-form project demonstrated her versatility in blending musical performance with genre visuals, foreshadowing her expansion into feature directing.

Television episodes

Roxanne Benjamin has directed numerous episodes across various television series, primarily in horror, mystery, and young adult genres, showcasing her ability to blend suspenseful narratives with character-driven drama. These credits mark her expansion into serialized television, where she applies her horror expertise to episodic formats. Her directed television episodes include:
  • "The Companion" and "Lydia Layne's Better Half" (Creepshow, Season 1, Episode 4, 2019).
  • "Skincrawlers" and "By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain" (Creepshow, Season 1, Episode 6, 2019).
  • "Chapter Twenty-Five: The Devil Within" (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Season 3, Episode 5, 2020).
  • "Chapter Sixty-Seven: Varsity Blues" (Riverdale, Season 4, Episode 10, 2020).
  • "The Legend of the Murder Hotel" (Nancy Drew, Season 2, Episode 7, 2021).
  • "The Quest for the Spider Sapphire" (Nancy Drew, Season 2, Episode 8, 2021).
  • "Simon Says Ho Ho Ho!" (One of Us Is Lying, Season 2, Episode 5, 2022).
  • "Simon Says You Better Pray" (One of Us Is Lying, Season 2, Episode 6, 2022).
  • "Chapter Nine: Dead and Buried" (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Season 1, Episode 9, 2022).
  • "Chapter Thirteen: Sweet Sixteen" (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Season 2, Episode 3, 2024).
  • "Chapter Fourteen: When a Stranger Calls Back" (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Season 2, Episode 4, 2024).
This body of work highlights Benjamin's recurring focus on supernatural and thriller elements, mirroring the genre themes in her feature films.

References

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  2. https://elcinema.com/en/person/2097303/
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  13. https://www.cmu.edu/cfa/schools-and-academic-programs/arts-and-entertainment-management/index.html
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  20. https://www.fangoria.com/roxanne-benjamin-southbound-interview/
  21. https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/southbound-review-1201697902/
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