Victorian Psycho is a murderous tale adapted by author Virginia Feito from her own novel, complete with cannibalism, axe-murdering, and infanticide. It is also the film at the Cannes Film Festival that appeared to be having the most fun. Directed by Zachary Wigon, it is gleeful in both its blood-letting and pitch-black humor. Although it may not terrify viewers, it is gruesomely gothic, amusing, and builds tension around the unpredictability of its titular psycho, eccentric young governess Winifred, played by Maika Monroe.
A Twisted Narrative
Winifred serves as the unreliable narrator, announcing at the start of the film: 'My name is Winnifred Knotty and I'm the sanest person I've ever met,' all the while demonstrating an unnervingly vacant facial expression when not practicing her fixed grin. Monroe, a renowned scream queen known for roles in It Follows and Longlegs, switches from the typical 'final girl' to play the baddie here with a largely decent period RP accent. While she may be the psycho, once viewers are introduced to the Pound family of the grand Ensor House, led by Jason Isaacs and Ruth Wilson, both deliciously creepy and severe, it becomes clear that Winifred is not the true villain. This realization is striking when she is questioned about her past, revealing that she comes from a village notorious for a string of dead babies, her most recent charges are still missing, and a previous one drowned.
Dark Humor and Empathy
There is something oddly endearing about her upbeat matter-of-factness regarding her horrifying crimes, and further empathy is built through passing references to her bleak childhood. The instructions for what Winifred must do with her young students, Andrew, played by Hamnet's Jacobi Jupe, and Drusilla, played by Evie Templeton, are clear: 'Make them smart but not too smart.' Mr. Pounds reminds the governess that his daughter risks fertility with over-education, while Mrs. Pounds generously requests she not beat the children. 'I shan't even look at them!' eager-to-please Winifred declares bizarrely, encapsulating the push and pull between the movie's comedy and horror elements.
Gore and Gore
In Victorian Psycho, for every silly joke or dry remark, there is a good amount of gore for horror enthusiasts—from misplaced body parts, including an ear later eaten, to sprays of blood from bludgeoning. Yes, she does shockingly kill a baby. The film is absolutely marketed for the sickos, and while it is disturbing enough, it ends up being more of a silly and twisted gothic romp than a truly haunting bloodbath. Among this is the dark humor of Winifred getting Andrew to quote: 'Please, not my daughter's fingers,' clearly a past plea that has stuck with her, and Mr. Pounds' casual allusion to his father's paedophilia, as he was 'married to the children' following his wife's death but 'preferred the boys.' He is also a phrenology fan keen to get his hands on Winifred's head, among other things, for a thorough examination, while his sour wife eyes up her looks and wants to know her secrets—beauty secrets, that is.
Subplots and Complications
Winifred also causes pesky whispers among the servants, which she must deal with in her own way, while befriending the naïve nurse Ms. Lamb, played by Thomasin McKenzie. Complicating matters and preventing Winifred from being the true sociopathic serial killer from the novel is the introduction of 'Fred,' the demon she believes is living inside her and controlling her killing impulses. While Monroe manages to act the full gamut of Winifred's confusing emotions and motives well, introducing an immediate excuse for her behavior does slightly dull the impact of the film's final frenzy, as well as its commitment to being a truly shocking horror.
Key Details
- Director: Zachary Wigon
- Writer: Virginia Feito, based on her novel
- Cast: Maika Monroe, Jason Isaacs, Ruth Wilson, Thomasin McKenzie, Jacobi Jupe, Evie Templeton
- Age rating: TBC
- Run time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Release date: US release on September 25; UK release planned for 2026
Victorian Psycho premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21. It will be released in the US on September 25. The UK release date is yet to be confirmed.
