Zach Villa is everywhere right now. Honestly, if you’ve watched anything remotely edgy or dark in the last few years, you’ve probably seen his face. But here’s the thing: people usually only recognize him as that one guy from that one show. You know the one. The guy who played the Night Stalker.
It’s weird because Zach Villa isn't just a "horror guy." He's a Juilliard-trained musician, a dancer, and a songwriter who happens to be terrifyingly good at playing complicated people. If you only know him from American Horror Story, you’re basically missing out on 80% of what he’s actually doing.
The Breakthrough: American Horror Story and the Night Stalker
Let’s get the big one out of the way first. When we talk about Zach Villa movies and TV shows, everyone starts with American Horror Story: 1984.
He played Richard Ramirez.
It wasn't just a regular role; it was a career-defining moment. Villa didn’t just play a serial killer; he brought this weird, charismatic, Satan-worshiping energy to the screen that made people deeply uncomfortable. He’s mentioned in interviews how he had to stay in that headspace for months, often showing up to set and keeping his distance from the rest of the cast just to maintain that "Night Stalker" vibe.
What’s wild is how different he looks in real life. On screen, he’s all leather jackets and menacing stares. In reality, he’s a soft-spoken guy who grew up in Iowa and loves the LA Phil. That contrast is probably why he’s so good at what he does. He doesn't just act; he transforms.
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From Juilliard to Hollywood: The Early Years
Before he was haunting your nightmares, Zach was a theater kid. But not just any theater kid—a Juilliard kid. That’s top-tier training.
You can see that stage presence in his early work. Take the 2015 indie film Honeyglue. He plays Jordan, a character that is lightyears away from a serial killer. It’s a raw, emotional story about life and death, and it showed that he had the range to do more than just "creepy."
He also popped up in shows like Shameless and The Expanse. Remember Maneo Jung-Espinoza? The guy who basically kickstarted the whole Ring Gate plot in The Expanse? Yeah, that was him. It was a short-lived role (literally, his character didn't survive the first few minutes of his big scene), but it’s a cult favorite for sci-fi fans.
Zach Villa’s Notable Film and TV Roles
- American Horror Story: 1984 (2019) – Richard Ramirez
- Destroyer (2018) – Arturo (Acting alongside Nicole Kidman)
- Archive 81 (2022) – Chris Lee
- Station 19 (2021) – Charlie
- Vengeance (2022) – Sancholo
- Hypochondriac (2022) – Will
- Bull Run (2025/2026) – Danny
The Leading Man Shift: Hypochondriac and Beyond
If you want to see what Zach Villa can really do when he’s the lead, watch Hypochondriac.
Released in 2022, this movie is a trip. It’s a queer horror-drama that deals with mental health and generational trauma. Zach plays Will, a potter who starts losing his grip on reality. It’s a very physical performance. You can see the anxiety in his body.
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Critics loved it because it wasn't a "slasher" role. It was grounded. It proved that he could carry a movie on his back. Most people haven't seen it because it’s a smaller indie flick, but if you’re looking for the best of Zach Villa movies and TV shows, this should be at the top of your list. Honestly, it’s better than some of his bigger projects.
Music and the "Rebel and a Basketcase" Era
You can't talk about Zach Villa without talking about the music. For a while, he was more famous for his band than his acting.
He was in a duo called Rebel and a Basketcase with Evan Rachel Wood. They were doing this 80s-inspired synth-pop thing that was actually pretty good. They were even engaged for a bit before calling it off in 2017.
Since then, he’s been doing his own thing with bands like Cylvia and Sorry Kyle. He plays basically everything: piano, drums, bass, guitar, and violin. When you see him moving on screen, that's why it looks so fluid. He’s a performer in the most literal sense of the word.
Recent Hits and What’s Next in 2026
Lately, Zach has been leaning into more diverse genres. He was in B.J. Novak’s Vengeance, playing Sancholo. It’s a small role but incredibly memorable because he brings such a specific, localized energy to the character.
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Now, as we hit 2026, he’s moved into projects like Bull Run (also known as Discussion Materials). In this film, he plays Danny, part of a high-finance comedy world that is a total 180 from the dark horror stuff he’s known for. It stars Tom Blyth and Jay Mohr, and it’s been getting some decent buzz for being "Office Space meets the Wolf of Wall Street."
He’s also been cast as Detective Nestor in Guns & Moses, which is a 2025/2026 release. Seeing him play a detective after playing one of the most famous criminals in TV history is some pretty poetic casting.
Why Zach Villa Matters in the Current Industry
Hollywood loves to typecast. Once you play a villain well, they want you to play a villain forever.
Zach seems to be fighting that. He jumps between horror, comedy, and music-driven projects with a lot of intention. He’s not just taking every "creepy guy" role that comes across his desk. He’s looking for the "puzzle pieces," as he’s called them in interviews—the parts of a character that don't make sense until you really dig in.
If you’re trying to catch up on his work, don’t just stick to the Netflix trending page. Look for the weird stuff. Look for the projects where he’s credited as a musician or a producer (like in Hypochondriac). That’s where you find the real artist.
How to Watch Zach Villa’s Best Work Right Now
- For the Thrills: Stream American Horror Story: 1984 on Hulu or Disney+. It’s his most iconic performance for a reason.
- For the Art: Find Hypochondriac. It’s usually on Shudder or available for rent. It’s his best acting work to date.
- For the Comedy: Look for Vengeance or the newer Bull Run. It shows he can actually be funny when he’s not covered in stage blood.
- For the Music: Check out his band Sorry Kyle on Spotify. It gives a lot of context to how he approaches rhythm and movement in his acting.
The best way to appreciate Zach Villa is to stop seeing him as a one-note actor. He’s a multi-hyphenate who is finally getting the leading roles he deserves. Whether he's playing a detective, a potter, or a legendary killer, he's always the most interesting person on the screen.
Keep an eye on his 2026 releases. Guns & Moses is looking to be a major stepping stone into more mainstream dramatic roles. If you haven't started following his career yet, now is the time to catch up before he becomes a household name.