Anna Elizabeth James

Anna Elizabeth James
Born	(1978-09-29) September 29, 1978 (age 47) Greenbrae, California, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Filmmaker, screenwriter, producer
Years active	2012–present
Known for	Deadly Illusions (2021)

Anna Elizabeth James (born September 29, 1978) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer, known for directing the psychological thriller film Deadly Illusions (2021). ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} She founded the production company Kiss and Tale Productions and has written, directed and produced a number of feature films and projects. ^{[5] [6]}

Early life and education

James was born in Greenbrae, California, and raised in Petaluma and Sacramento, where she attended Del Campo High School. She later earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, being selected to direct a competitive student production (teen thriller Haven's Point). While still in graduate school, she sold her feature script I Do Over to Skydance Media. ^{[7] [8]}

Career

Breakthrough and feature films

James made her feature-film directorial debut with Emma's Chance (2016), followed by Destined to Ride (2018), and the television movie Sisters for Life (2021). ^{[9] [10] [11]}

Her best-known work is the erotic psychological thriller Deadly Illusions (2021), which she wrote, directed and produced under her production company Kiss and Tale Productions. The film stars Kristin Davis, Dermot Mulroney and Greer Grammer, and was acquired for international sales by Voltage Pictures. ^{[12] [13]} The first-look was announced in 2020 and the film was released on the streaming service Netflix in March 2021. It reached #1 worldwide on Netflix in its opening week. ^{[14] [15] [16] [17]}

Recent projects

James has continued to produce, write and direct projects under her banner. Her psychological thriller Held Hostage In My House (2024), starring Amy Smart, Billy Zane, Greer Grammer and music artist Ne-Yo, was released on Netflix on October 15, 2025. ^{[18] [19]} She has also been credited as a producer or co-writer on films such as Succubus (2024) and Supercell (2023). ^{[20] [21] [22] [23]}

Style and themes

James's films often centre on complex women characters navigating identity, sexuality and power. She is known for reworking traditional thriller tropes through a contemporary, female-driven lens, and for embracing low-budget innovation including iPhone filmmaking techniques. ^{[24] [25]}

Filmography

Film

Year	Title
		Director	Writer	Producer	Notes
2012	Haven’s Point	Yes	No	No	Short film
2015	Zone 2	Yes	No	No	Short film
2016	Emma’s Chance	Yes	Yes	No	Feature film; starred Greer Grammer
2018	Destined to Ride	Yes	Yes	No	Family feature film
2021	Deadly Illusions	Yes	Yes	Yes	Psychological thriller released on Netflix
2022	Supercell	No	Yes	No	Action / disaster feature film
2024	Held Hostage in My House	Yes	Yes	Yes	Psychological thriller released on Netflix
2024	Succubus	No	No	Yes	Feature film

Executive producer

• Satisfaction (2025) ^[26]

Television

• Sisters for Life (2021), Director

References

1. Benardello, Karen (31 May 2021). "Deadly Illusions: An Exclusive Interview with Writer-Director-Producer Anna Elizabeth James". Cinema Daily. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
2. Napoli, Jessica (9 April 2021). "'Deadly Illusions' star Greer Grammer, director Anna Elizabeth James discuss female sexuality in new film". Fox News. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
3. Booth, Georgina Lara. "When Real Talent Creates 'Deadly Illusions': Interview with DEADLY ILLUSIONS Star Greer Grammer and Writer-Director Anna Elizabeth James". Mashable Benelux. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
4. Weinberg, Lindsay (3 April 2021). "Deadly Illusions' Greer Grammer and Anna Elizabeth James Answer Burning Questions on That Ending". E! News. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
5. Di Lorenzo Baldassari, Dario (8 November 2023). "Erotic thrillers and the female gaze: Interview with Anna Elizabeth James, director of "Deadly Illusions"". Lo Specchio Scuro. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
6. D'Alessandro, Anthony (25 October 2022). "Amy Smart, Matt Davis, Billy Zane & More Board Mystery Thriller 'Blunt'; Voltage Launching Sales Ahead Of AFM". Deadline. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
7. "Anna Elizabeth James". Screamfest. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
8. Patta, Gig (3 June 2021). "Anna Elizabeth James on Filming Deadly Illusions Like Straight Out of A Thriller Novel [Exclusive Interview]". LRM Online. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
9. Lincoln, Ross A. (10 August 2015). "Greer Grammer Takes 'Emma's Chance', Angela Sarafyan Makes 'The Promise'". Deadline. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
10. N'Duka, Amanda (21 October 2019). "'Sex and the City's Kristin Davis, Greer Grammer, Dermot Mulroney To Star In 'Grace' Thriller From Anna Elizabeth James". Y! Entertainment. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
11. Aaqib Beg, Mirza (22 August 2021). "Lifetime's Sisters for Life: Everything We Know". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
12. Squires, John (24 June 2020). "Voltage Shares First Look at Anna Elizabeth James-Directed Thriller 'Deadly Illusions'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
13. Kay, Jeremy (16 June 2020). "Voltage launches Cannes sales on 'Deadly Illusions' with Kristin Davis (exclusive)". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
14. Morales, Nikoleta. "Deadly Illusions Film Drama With Director Anna Elizabeth James". Cultured Focus Magazine. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
15. Wurzburger, Andrea (23 March 2021). "Here Are All the Questions We Have After Watching 'Deadly Illusions', the No. 1 Movie on Netflix". People. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
16. Bean, Travis (22 March 2021). "'Deadly Illusions' Quickly Became The Most-Watched Movie On Netflix". Forbes. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
17. Brueggemann, Tom (22 March 2021). "On the Netflix Chart, It's Like the Oscar Nominations Never Happened". IndieWire. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
18. Shrestha, Naman (7 September 2024). "Lifetime's Held Hostage in My House: All Filming Locations and Cast Details". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
19. Thompson, Avery (6 August 2024). "'Held Hostage in My House' First Look: Billy Zane Is Unrecognizable in Lifetime Thriller (PHOTOS)". TV Insider. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
20. Sanderson, Kirk (8 August 2024). "Shout! Studios Sets Horror Thriller 'Succubus' for Sept. 24 Home Release". Media Play News. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
21. Grobar, Matt (22 May 2023). "Ron Perlman, Rosanna Arquette & Others Set For Horror Thriller 'Succubus'; Shout! Studios To Distribute In North America". Deadline. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
22. Squires, John (22 May 2023). "'Succubus' – Ron Perlman and Rosanna Arquette Starring in Horror Movie for Shout! Studios". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
23. Chuba, Kirsten (29 June 2021). "Alec Baldwin on Becoming a Storm Chaser and Returning to Indies with 'Supercell'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
24. Shankland, Stephen (30 June 2010). "iPhone 4 video embodies new-tech aesthetic". CNET. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
25. "Deadly Illusions – Director Anna Elizabeth James". Film School Radio. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
26. Garner, Glenn (18 September 2025). "'Satisfaction' Teaser: Alex Burunova's Greek Relationship Drama Sets International Premiere, Alief Boards For Foreign Sales". Deadline. Retrieved 1 November 2025.