Matthew Berkowitz

Matthew Berkowitz is one of those filmmakers who doesn’t just dip his toes in the dark end of the pool—he dives in headfirst, no floaties. If you’ve caught Wild in Blue (2015), you already know he has a knack for unsettling stories that stick with you long after the credits roll. This one’s a raw, unfiltered look at obsession and self-destruction, painted with that indie grime that makes you feel like you need a shower after. Then there’s Madness Inside Me (2020). That film? It’s a psychological gut-punch. It crawls under your skin and sets up camp, poking at what people do when they’re pushed way past their breaking point. There’s revenge, trauma, and the kind of spiraling descent that leaves you wondering if anyone comes out the other side whole. And let’s not forget A Violent Man (2017). This isn’t your run-of-the-mill crime drama. Nope, it’s way more claustrophobic and tense, trapping you in a small, sweaty apartment with a desperate, dangerous guy who’s just trying to keep it together as his world falls apart. Berkowitz doesn’t sugarcoat anything. His movies go for the jugular—messy, flawed, and totally human. You can tell he’s interested in what makes people tick, especially when that ticking gets loud and ugly. Not everyone will love his style, but if you want your movies gritty and honest, you’ll find something to chew on here.