Filmmaker Jess Varley was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She has developed original series with networks including ABC and FX. The movie Phobias, a horror anthology she co-created, wrote, directed, and produced alongside the Radio Silence team (Ready or Not, Scream 5 & 6), was released in 2021. The New York Times praised Varley's work on the film as standout, including her ability to transform Macy Gray into "the horror movie queen you didn't know you wanted." Moviefone also included Jess on their list of top 20 female genre directors with filmmakers like Nia DaCosta. Varley's upcoming film, The Astronaut, produced by Brad Fuller (Purge & Quiet Place franchises), stars Laurence Fishburne and Kate Mara.