Jump to content

James Watkins (director)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James Watkins
Watkins in 2017
Born
James Thomas Watkins

(1973-05-20) 20 May 1973 (age 52)
Nottingham, England
Occupation(s)Film director, screenwriter
Notable workEden Lake
The Woman in Black
Speak No Evil

James Thomas Watkins (born 20 May 1973) is an English film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his work in horror films, most notably Eden Lake (2008), The Woman in Black (2012), and Speak No Evil (2024).

Early life

[edit]

James Thomas Watkins[citation needed] was born in Nottingham, England.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]

Watkins wrote and directed the critically acclaimed thriller Eden Lake (2008), starring Michael Fassbender and Kelly Reilly.[1] It won Best Horror Film at the 2009 Empire Awards, the Jury Prize at Sitges Film Festival and Best Director at Fantasporto.[citation needed] Watkins was nominated for the Douglas Hickox Award at the 2008 British Independent Film Awards.[citation needed]

He also directed The Woman in Black (2012)[2][3] and Speak No Evil, released in 2024.[4]

Watkins has written scripts for Warner Bros., Working Title, Film4, and BBC Films.[citation needed]

Watkins was announced to be directing the DC Universe film Clayface in February 2025.[5]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

Year Title Director Writer
2002 My Little Eye No Yes
2007 Gone No Yes
2008 Eden Lake Yes Yes
2009 The Descent Part 2 2nd unit Yes
2012 The Woman in Black Yes No
2016 Bastille Day Yes Yes
2024 Speak No Evil Yes Yes
2026 Clayface Yes No

Television

Year Title Director Writer Creator Notes
2016 Black Mirror Yes No No Episode "Shut Up and Dance"
2018 McMafia Yes Yes Yes 8 episodes
2022 The Ipcress File Yes No No 6 episodes

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "James Watkins interview: Eden Lake, modern horror & The Descent 2". Den of Geek. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  2. ^ Gingold, Michael (4 February 2019). "Q&A: Director James Watkins' Dark Directions For THE WOMAN IN BLACK". Fangoria.
  3. ^ Mellor, Louisa (9 February 2012). "James Watkins, Jane Goldman & Susan Hill interview: The Woman In Black, Hammer and more". Den of Geek.
  4. ^ "James Watkins - United Agents". United Agents. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  5. ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (21 February 2025). "DC's 'Clayface' Lands 'Speak No Evil' Director James Watkins (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
[edit]