We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Matt Eskandari a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Matt, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

One of the biggest risks I took was making my first feature film, “Victim” (2010). Fresh out of USC, I had no big studio backing—just a compelling but dark psychological thriller script and a drive to prove myself. Financing was tight, and I put everything I had into making it, pulling favors and stretching every dollar. Beyond the financial risk, the film’s unsettling themes were a creative gamble, but I refused to play it safe.

It paid off. Victim was picked up by IFC Films, putting me on Hollywood’s radar and proving I could deliver a gripping feature on a tight budget. That experience taught me that in filmmaking, you have to bet on yourself—take the risk, trust your vision, and push through the doubt. It set the foundation for everything that came next, my work on 12 Feet Deep, my collaborations with Bruce Willis, and my ability to keep telling the kinds of intense, high-stakes stories I love.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Matt Eskandari, an Iranian-American filmmaker known for crafting intense, high-stakes thrillers and action films. My journey into filmmaking started with a deep love for storytelling, shaped by my experiences as an immigrant and my passion for exploring human resilience. I studied at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, where my thesis film won Best Student Film at Screamfest. That led to being selected by Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett for the reality show On the Lot, which opened my eyes to the industry’s challenges and opportunities.

I broke into feature filmmaking with “Victim” (2010), a psychological thriller that IFC Films picked up. But my real breakthrough came with “12 Feet Deep” (2017)—a contained survival thriller based on true events. The film resonated with audiences, proving that suspense and psychological tension don’t need massive budgets.

From there, I transitioned into action films, directing Bruce Willis in “Survive the Night”, “Hard Kill”, and “Wire Room”. These experiences sharpened my ability to craft high-energy, commercially viable films while still infusing them with strong character-driven tension.
What I Do & What Sets Me Apart
I specialize in thrillers and action films that focus on survival, psychological tension, and human endurance. Whether it’s a contained thriller like 12 Feet Deep or a high-octane action film, I bring a grounded, intense energy to my projects.

What sets me apart is my ability to maximize tension and emotion on a tight budget. I know how to create high-stakes storytelling without relying on over-the-top effects. My background as an indie filmmaker has trained me to be resourceful, efficient, and focused on character-driven suspense.

I’m proud of carving out a space in Hollywood as an immigrant filmmaker, proving that you don’t need massive connections to make an impact—you just need a strong vision, persistence, and the willingness to take risks. Seeing 12 Feet Deep gain a cult following and directing legends like Bruce Willis have been incredible milestones, but my biggest pride comes from knowing that my films stick with people and make them think.

At the core of my work is human survival and psychological resilience. I want my films to not just entertain but also challenge audiences—what would you do in this situation? How far would you go to survive?

For fans, clients, or collaborators, I want them to know that I’m always looking for bold, gripping stories that push boundaries. Whether it’s a contained thriller or a big action piece, my goal is to craft edge-of-your-seat experiences that feel raw, real, and unforgettable.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my career came when I transitioned from independent thrillers to studio-backed action films.

Early on, I was making contained, psychological thrillers like Victim and 12 Feet Deep—films that focused on intense human survival scenarios with limited locations and budgets. 12 Feet Deep was a turning point because it proved I could create high-stakes tension on a small scale, and it found a cult audience. But despite its success, I realized that to break into larger-scale filmmaking, I needed to pivot.

That opportunity came when I started directing action films starring Bruce Willis (Survive the Night, Hard Kill, Wire Room). It was a completely different ballgame—bigger productions, larger crews, and the challenge of working with Hollywood legends under tight schedules. Instead of small, intimate thrillers, I was now directing gunfights, explosions, and high-speed chases.

The pivot wasn’t just about scale—it was also about learning how to balance creative vision with studio expectations. Action films require a different kind of storytelling—more momentum, bigger set pieces—but I brought my thriller sensibilities to them, focusing on tension, pacing, and character stakes.

That shift opened new doors for me, allowing me to work at a larger level while still keeping my signature style of grounded, high-stakes storytelling. Looking back, that pivot was crucial in expanding my career and proving that I could adapt, evolve, and take on bigger challenges in Hollywood

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

. The driving force behind my creative journey is to explore human resilience and psychological endurance through high-stakes, immersive storytelling.

Whether it’s a survival thriller like 12 Feet Deep or a high-intensity action film, my goal is to put characters in extreme situations that force them to confront their deepest fears, limitations, and instincts to survive. I’ve always been fascinated by the question: What happens when people are pushed to their absolute breaking point? That’s the tension I aim to capture in every film I make.

Beyond that, as an Iranian-American filmmaker, I want to prove that you don’t need to come from Hollywood royalty to make an impact. I took an indie, DIY path into the industry, and I want my journey to inspire other filmmakers who don’t have traditional connections but have a strong vision and relentless determination.

At the end of the day, my mission is simple: tell gripping, character-driven stories that keep audiences on the edge of their seats while making them think about how they would react in those same life-or-death moments.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matteskandari/

Image Credits

all owned by me