Draft:Samuel Gonzalez Jr.
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Directorgonzalezjr (talk) 00:22, 8 September 2026 (UTC)
Samuel Gonzalez Jr. is an American film director, screenwriter and author whose work is primarily in the horror genre. His films include The Retaliators (2022), Night of the Missing (2023), The Plastic Men (2025) and Stiletto (2026). An Iraq War veteran, Gonzalez served in the United States Army before beginning his filmmaking career.
Early life and military service
[edit]Gonzalez was born in the Bronx, New York, and raised in Central Florida. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a military police soldier during the Iraq War. He was deployed to Baqubah, Iraq, with the 571st Military Police Company.[1]
During his deployment, Gonzalez received the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor.[2] He also performed as the lead singer and guitarist of Madison Avenue, a rock band formed by deployed soldiers. A 2007 U.S. Army report documented Gonzalez and the band performing for soldiers at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Baqubah.[3]
After returning from military service, Gonzalez attended ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, graduating in 2013.[4]
Career
[edit]In 2013, Gonzalez directed the horror short Woodland Heights, which premiered at Screamfest. In a feature surrounding the premiere, Dread Central featured Gonzalez and actress Arielle Brachfeld, discussing his filmmaking influences, directorial approach, and development of a project based on his experiences in Iraq with producer Edward R. Pressman and editor Billy Weber.[5]
Gonzalez directed and co-wrote the war drama Battle Scars (2020), which was initially titled Railway Spine.[6] Wylie Writes later interviewed Gonzalez about the film, describing his filmmaking process as detailed and discussing his approach to character development.[7]
In 2019, Gonzalez wrote and directed the horror short The Springfield Three, inspired by the unsolved 1992 disappearance of three women in Springfield, Missouri. The film had its world premiere at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival.[8]
Gonzalez later co-directed the horror film The Retaliators, which received a theatrical release in 2022. [9] [10] [11] He subsequently directed the 2023 Christmas horror anthology Night of the Missing, starring Bill Moseley and Jenna Kanell. The film was released as a SCREAMBOX exclusive.[12]
In 2025, Gonzalez wrote and directed the psychological horror film The Plastic Men.[13] [14] The following year, The Horror Section acquired Gonzalez's slasher film Stiletto, which he directed and co-wrote.[15] Produced by Eli Roth, the film stars Gigi Gustin, Charlotte McKinney and Colleen Camp and is scheduled for theatrical release in 2026.[16] [17]
Gonzalez has also directed music videos for artists including Kimbra, Papa Roach, Eva Under Fire and Escape the Fate.[18] [19] [20]
Writing
[edit]Gonzalez co-authored the novel The Chords of War with Christopher Meeks. Inspired in part by Gonzalez's experiences serving in Iraq and playing music while deployed, the novel received a bronze award in the War & Military category of the 2017 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards.[21] [22]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Springfield Three | Writer, director |
| 2020 | Battle Scars | Co-writer, director |
| 2022 | The Retaliators | Co-director |
| 2023 | Night of the Missing | Writer, director |
| 2025 | The Plastic Men | Writer, director |
| 2026 | Stiletto | Co-writer, director |
Selected awards
[edit]- Los Angeles Area Emmy Award nomination — Public, Municipal and Operator Produced Cable, Pasadena: Crown City (2015)[23]
- Jury Award for Best Military Film — San Diego International Film Festival, Railway Spine (2016)[24]
- Bronze, War & Military — Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, The Chords of War (2017)[25]
- Best Narrative Directed by Military or Veterans — GI Film Festival San Diego, That Night (2022)[26]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Samuel Gonzalez Jr". Screamfest Horror Film Festival. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Samuel Gonzalez Jr". Screamfest Horror Film Festival. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ Ryan Stroud (November 1, 2007). "'Grey Wolf' Soldiers enjoy fear-filled Halloween". U.S. Army. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Samuel Gonzalez Jr". UCLA Extension. University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ Barton, Steve (October 9, 2013). "Screamfest LA 2013 Exclusive: Samuel Gonzalez Jr. and Arielle Brachfeld Talk the Premiere of Woodland Heights". Dread Central. Retrieved September 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Battle Scars". Film Threat. July 28, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ Wylie, Addison (August 10, 2020). "Wylie Writes' Two-On-One with Samuel Gonzalez Jr. and Arturo Castro". Wylie Writes. Retrieved September 8, 2026.
- ↑ "The Springfield Three". Screamfest Horror Film Festival. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ Pinheiro, Antonio (October 19, 2021). "Exclusive: Co-Director Samuel Gonzalez Jr. Talks New Film at Screamfest Horror Film Festival Opening Night". The Knockturnal. Retrieved September 8, 2026.
- ↑ David Gelmini (September 7, 2021). "FrightFest Review: In 'The Retaliators,' A Pastor Seeks Brutal Revenge". Dread Central. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Hard Rock Horror: Interview with Vengeance Thriller THE RETALIATORS Producers Michael Lombardi and Allen Kovac". Boxoffice Pro. September 16, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ Brad Miska (November 20, 2023). "Eerie 'Night of the Missing' Clip Sets the Stage For a Chilling Encounter [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "The Plastic Men Review: A War Veteran's Psyche Is Explored Through Horror". Ready Steady Cut. March 3, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ Dom Hastings (April 1, 2025). "'The Plastic Men' Review". Nerdly. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ DiVincenzo, Alex (February 6, 2026). "Stripper Slasher 'Stiletto' Acquired by Eli Roth's The Horror Section". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 6, 2026). "Eli Roth's The Horror Section Acquires Stripper Slasher Pic 'Stiletto'". Deadline. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 24, 2026). "Eli Roth's Horror Section Sets Halloween Release For Slasher Pic 'Stiletto'". Deadline. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Samuel Gonzalez Jr". UCLA Extension. University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Samuel Gonzalez Jr". Screamfest Horror Film Festival. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Eva Under Fire release music video for "Blow" featuring Ice Nine Kills' Spencer Charnas". The Rockpit. July 1, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "The Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Samuel Gonzalez, Jr". Military Writers Society of America. January 17, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "The Chords of War". Foreword Reviews. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Variety's 'Actors on Actors' on PBS SoCal Nominated for Emmy". Variety. June 4, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2016 San Diego International Film Festival Announces Award Winners". BroadwayWorld. October 13, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "The Chords of War". Foreword Reviews. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Filmmakers and Actors from Around the U.S. Take Home Coveted Awards at GI Film Festival San Diego". GI Film Festival San Diego. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
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