“I use myself as the barometer to gauge what is scary. I like to think if something scares me, then there's a very good chance an audience will feel the same way.”

James Wan is an Australian filmmaker working in Hollywood since the 1990s. He is best known for directing horror films that blend practical effects with psychological tension, including *The Conjuring* and *Aquaman*. His work often explores themes of fear and survival with a grounded, visceral approach.