Michael Muchnij is a writer, director, and composer who draws from classic genre films to tell stories that speak to contemporary themes. Originally from Phoenix, AZ and now based in Brooklyn, he began his creative career composing music for short films. That early work led him to directing, where he combines his background in composition, writing, and photography.
His first two short films, Shutter—a taut, time-bending take on voyeurism—and Sweet Tooth—a sugar-coated fable about stunted growth—were both hosted on ALTER, a prominent online platform for horror. Together, they received over 4 million views and 55,000 upvotes in under a year, landing in ALTER’s top ten most-viewed films of all time (Shutter at #8, Sweet Tooth at #4).
Muchnij’s influences include filmmakers like David Cronenberg, Gaspar Noé, and Terrence Malick. His work is driven by a desire to explore layered narratives and psychological complexity, often steering away from traditional horror formulas in favor of more original, thought-provoking storytelling.