John Hyams

Directing

John Hyams

Born 1964-12-19 · United States of America

John Hyams (born December 19, 1964) is an American screenwriter, director and cinematographer, best known for his involvement in the "Universal Soldier" series, for which he has directed two installments. Hyams is the son of director Peter Hyams. Hyams graduated from Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts, becoming a noted painter and sculptor exhibiting and selling work in New York and Los Angeles. He became known in Hollywood in 1997 after writing, producing, and directing the critically acclaimed "One Dog Day." The film debuted at the Taos Talking Picture Film Festival. After that, Hyams directed several documentaries, most notably "The Smashing Machine" (2002), which follows the life of fighter Mark Kerr. Hyams also directed several episodes of ABC Television's "NYPD Blue." In 2009, Hyams directed the franchise reboot "Universal Soldier: Regeneration," with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, which was shot mostly in Bulgaria on a budget of $9 million. In 2012, he wrote and directed the sequel "Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning," which also featured Van Damme and Lundgren. It was shot in 3D with a budget of $8 million. Hyams has since gone on to work in the horror genre, directing the films "Alone" (2020) and "Sick" (2022), the latter of which features a script by Kevin Williamson.

Acting credits

Behind the camera

Dragon Eyes poster
5.3

In St. Jude, drug dealers and corrupt cops have destroyed an urban neighborhood. But newcomer, Hong, has the fighting skills and moral vision to save this town from itself.

Dragon Eyes

2012

Alone poster
6.4

A recently widowed traveler is kidnapped by a cold blooded killer, only to escape into the wilderness where she is forced to battle against the elements as her pursuer closes in on her.

Alone

2020

Universal Soldier: Regeneration poster
5.7

When terrorists threaten nuclear catastrophe at Chernobyl, the world's only hope is to reactivate decommissioned Universal Soldier Luc Deveraux. Rearmed and reprogrammed, Deveraux must take on his nemesis from the original Universal Soldier and a next-generation "UniSol" that seems almost unstoppable.

Universal Soldier: Regeneration

2010

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning poster
5.6

After his wife and daughter are murdered in a home invasion, a widower named John now finds himself up against an army of Universal Soldiers in relentless pursuit, led by a mysterious leader who promises to set UniSols free from their conditioning.

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning

2012

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning poster
5.6

After his wife and daughter are murdered in a home invasion, a widower named John now finds himself up against an army of Universal Soldiers in relentless pursuit, led by a mysterious leader who promises to set UniSols free from their conditioning.

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning

2012

Skin Trade poster
6.1

After his family is killed by a Serbian gangster with international interests. NYC detective Nick goes to S.E. Asia and teams up with a Thai detective to get revenge and destroy the syndicates human trafficking network.

Skin Trade

2014

Sick poster
6.1

While quarantining at her family's lake house during the pandemic, Parker and her best friend are threatened by an unexpected visitor.

Sick

2022

No artwork available
NR

Set in the desolate Nevada night, a young woman in labor flees an abusive past who has her escape hijacked by a mysterious stranger hiding an ominous threat in the back of her car.

The Shepherd

All Square poster
6.1

A down-on-his-luck bookie befriends an ex-girlfriend’s son and gets the bright idea to take bets on his youth league baseball games; only to realize he’s killed what’s pure about the sport as the games turn ugly when money is on the line.

All Square

2018

No artwork available
10.0

A fly-on-the-wall account of a Mixed Martial Arts fighter preparing for and engaging in battle, as seen through the eyes of Brazilian Jui-Jitsu legend Renzo Gracie.

Fight Day

2003

The Smashing Machine poster
7.1

An unflinching look at the life and story of Mark Kerr between 1999 and 2001, an intelligent, articulate, and emotionally vulnerable athlete, considered by many at the time to be the most dominant ultimate fighter in the world. A former Olympic wrestler, Kerr easily dominated all his opponents, earning him the nickname "The Smashing Machine." With the promise of big money and the euphoria of his early victories, Kerr must battle his injuries and inner fears. The shock of these fights takes a heavy toll on his body and mind, and Kerr attempts to overcome these physical and psychological traumas by turning to painkillers. Kerr's addiction is shown in its raw form, with the camera capturing him desperately soliciting drugs from friends and staff, and injecting painkillers into his veins. His shocking defeat to Fujita in Japan shows us a story that is sometimes difficult and heartbreaking to watch.

The Smashing Machine

2002

Days of Reckoning: The Making of Universal Soldier 4 poster
NR

Feature length candid look into the making of the film "Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning."

Days of Reckoning: The Making of Universal Soldier 4

2013

No artwork available
NR

A scientist developing a cure for dementia starts 'losing time', watching as his everyday life spirals out of control. What starts as a few lost minutes quickly becomes lost hours and lost days. When he comes out of his latest blackout, he has a child he didn’t have before, and a palatial home he doesn’t recognize, it becomes a race against time to puzzle the pieces together, before he loses everything.

Double Blind

The Ignorant Bliss of Sun and Moon poster
10.0

A lyrical tale about a down and out everyman struggling to hang onto the fleeting moments of bliss that make life worth living.

The Ignorant Bliss of Sun and Moon

2010

One Dog Day poster
10.0

This film spans one hot day in New York and follows the lives of many of its inhabitants as they go about their business.

One Dog Day

1997

One Dog Day poster
10.0

This film spans one hot day in New York and follows the lives of many of its inhabitants as they go about their business.

One Dog Day

1997

One Dog Day poster
10.0

This film spans one hot day in New York and follows the lives of many of its inhabitants as they go about their business.

One Dog Day

1997

Rank poster
7.0

Seven days, 45 finalists, one World Champion. Shot on location in Las Vegas, Nevada, Rank takes us from the ranch to the arena for the struggle of the three highest-ranking bull riders competing for the title of PBR World Champion. The three contenders: Justin McBride, a third generation bull rider; Mike Lee, 21 year-old born-again Christian and 34 year-old Brazilian Adriano Moraes, already a two-time PBR World Champion, who has been riding since the age of 18 and is now in the twilight of his bull riding career. This documentary brings the reality of this hazardous sport into focus for the first time. From preparations to ride through severe injuries and finally, victory for one: a gold belt buckle and a check for one million dollars.

Rank

2006

The Razzle Dazzle poster
NR

Short film by John Hyams.

The Razzle Dazzle

2009

No artwork available
NR

A look behind the scenes at the making-of the bull riding documentary ‘Rank’.

Bull Sessions: The Making of ‘Rank’

2006