Christopher Robert Cargill (born September 8, 1975) is an American screenwriter, novelist, podcast host, and former film critic, widely recognized for his work on the films Sinister (2012), Doctor Strange (2016), and The Black Phone (2021). A frequent collaborator of director Scott Derrickson, Cargill transitioned from critic to screenwriter after years of industry immersion. He began his career as a film critic under the pseudonym “Massawyrm” for Ain’t It Cool News, where his work gained substantial online attention. He also contributed to Spill.com under the alias “Carlyle,” along with freelance pieces for Film.com and Hollywood.com. His deep engagement with the film community eventually led to friendships with filmmakers and a growing discomfort with writing reviews due to potential bias.
Raised in a military family and having lived on army bases across the U.S., Cargill held various jobs, including video store clerk and travel agent, before finding success in writing. He wrote his first movie review in 2000 for Guerilla Films, gaining unexpected viral popularity. His connection with other critics and filmmakers at Ain’t It Cool News helped launch his screenwriting career. He now lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, where he continues to write and host film-related podcasts, building a reputation for genre-savvy, emotionally resonant storytelling.
