Roy Stuart (born 1940) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his pioneering work in the horror and exploitation genres.
Stuart was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began his career as a film editor in the late 1960s, editing films for horror maestro Roger Corman. In the 1970s, he moved into directing, helming a series of low-budget exploitation films, including “Ginger” (1972), “The Last House on Dead End Street” (1977), and “The Pyx” (1973).
In the 1980s, Stuart branched out into mainstream filmmaking, directing the horror film “The House on Sorority Row” (1983) and the action-comedy “The Main Event” (1984). He also produced the science fiction film “Night of the Creeps” (1986).
Stuart’s most acclaimed work is the horror-drama “Visiting Hours” (1982). The film tells the story of a television journalist (Michael Ironside) who investigates a series of gruesome murders at a hospital. It was widely praised for its subversive take on the slasher genre and its complex, nuanced portrayal of female characters.
In the 1990s, Stuart moved into directing television, helming episodes of “The X-Files”, “Millennium”, and “Tales from the Crypt”, among others. He also directed the action-thriller “Lethal Tender” (1997).
Stuart’s later films have been largely independent productions, including the horror-thriller “Mimic” (1998), the indie drama “The Last Request” (2006), and the psychological thriller “The Taking” (2009).
Throughout his career, Stuart has been noted for his visual style and his ability to create suspense and atmosphere. His work has been praised for its complex characterizations and its willingness to push the boundaries of genre filmmaking.
