Cuyler Ballenger

Cuyler Ballenger’s filmography is honestly kind of wild if you look at the range. You’ve got Food Forward: Camel Milking in Missouri (2016), which—let’s be real—sounds like something you’d stumble onto at 2am on public TV and then suddenly realize you’re weirdly invested in the lives of Midwestern camel farmers. It’s this deep-dive documentary vibe, all about sustainability and food systems, but through the strangest lens possible. People milking camels in Missouri? Who knew. Ballenger manages to make it oddly compelling though, digging into the quirks of rural innovation without ever feeling condescending. Jump to The Damned (2024), and it’s a whole different game. This isn’t your grandma’s indie doc—it’s moody, tense, and honestly, feels like someone let Ballenger off the leash to get dark and experimental. The movie leans hard into psychological horror, pushing characters to that edge where you’re not sure if what’s happening is even real. If you’re into films that mess with your head and leave you rethinking everything by the end credits, this one’s got your name on it. Ballenger’s style is all over it—moody lighting, jumpy edits, even that slightly off-kilter dialogue that makes you squirm a little. Then, there’s I Wish You Would (2020), which is just pure indie drama energy. Imagine a bunch of friends stuck together, secrets bubbling up, everyone getting raw and real. Ballenger’s good at that—letting actors stretch out in these small, charged scenes that feel almost improvised. So yeah, talk about a director who refuses to be boxed in. Every project is a curveball, and honestly, that’s half the fun.