Movies by James Ashcroft

Hailing from New Zealand, director James Ashcroft has carved out a distinctive niche for himself within the global cinematic landscape. With a background in theatre, television, and radio, Ashcroft brings a richly multidisciplinary sensibility to his filmmaking, imbuing his work with a rare depth and versatility. Ashcroft's films are marked by a penchant for adapting literary works, specifically the haunting short stories of acclaimed New Zealand author Owen Marshall. In projects like the critically acclaimed Coming Home in the Dark and the upcoming The Whisper Man, Ashcroft masterfully translates Marshall's brooding, atmospheric tales to the screen, crafting taut psychological thrillers that linger long in the viewer's mind. His 2025 film The Rule of Jenny Pen, another Marshall adaptation, solidified Ashcroft's reputation as a director with a keen eye for the unsettling and the unnerving, blending elements of horror, suspense, and social commentary into a cohesive, compelling whole. But Ashcroft's talents extend beyond his work as an adapter. With a flair for eliciting compelling performances from his actors - including the legendary Robert De Niro, who stars in The Whisper Man - and a visual style that is both immersive and unsettling, Ashcroft has emerged as one of New Zealand's most distinctive directorial voices, poised to leave an indelible mark on the global cinema landscape.