You’ve never seen the Victorian world quite like this.
Set in 1858, Victorian Psycho tells the story of Winifred Notty (Maika Monroe), a mysterious governess who arrives at the gothic manor known as Ensor House. Upon her arrival, Winifred takes on the role of teaching the children about their family history. Yet Miss Notty is not who she seems and, underneath her educated exterior, lies a veritable psychopath. As the body count continues to rise, the owners of the estate begin to suspect that their new governess may be involved in these fatal events, pushing the boundaries between insurrection and chaos.
Often depicted with classical lenses, Victorian culture is one of the most revered periods of literary history. Yet Psycho unleashes its dark side with gleeful fury. Even though it takes its queues from other gothic depictions, the film upends them with an emphasis on murderous mayhem. Nods to ghosts? Class disputes? Forbidden romance? All of these tropes of the genre are present, laid as building blocks for its world of seemingly dignified composure.
However, Psycho cares more about slashing through the tropes than delighting within them. (And that’s meant to be literal.) Directed by Zachary Wigon and written by Virginia Feito (who also wrote the 2025 book of the same name), this is the sort of horror where the violence goes for the jugular with Machiavellian joy. Monroe’s Miss Notty (and yes, the play on words is deliberate) dispatches her foes with reckless abandon in her soul and a smile on her face. From the film’s earliest moments, we understand what a menace she intends to be within Ensor House. Her killing spree is vicious and vindictive but strangely playful at the same time. With a winking eye, Monroe unleashes her vengeance to brutal effect.
What we don’t understand is why. At least, not at first.
However, while Notty may slice and dice her way through the home, we (almost) always empathize with her. Without giving any spoilers, the hurts of Notty’s past drive the actions of her present in ways that provide a window of empathy through which the audience can view them. In this manner, Notty’s wicked behaviour is meant to lacerate the gender and social norms of the era. This is very much a story of feminine fury against the domineering politics of the era.
And Monroe does good work here as Ensor’s executioner. She leans into the wild nature of this character with venomous vitriol, offering a sinister smile whenever the opportunity for mayhem presents itself. Tilting her head to the side with menace, we recognize instantly that the character is off kilter and unstable. (Though, with that in mind, one might not be prepared for just how methodical she can be.)
She’s endearing, funny and yet down right… well… naughty.
Nevertheless, it’s also worth noting that Victorian Psycho will not be for everyone. Given the level of Notty’s violence, the film has its moments that are deliberately left to be unsettling. For some, that style of horror will be appealing. But, for others looking for more of a Victorian vibe, it could become problematic. What’s more, while the film is meant to have a certain bounce to it, Wigon’s storytelling can be erratic at times, veering wildly between narrative points. (This is especially true at the film’s brutal finale, which can be particularly jarring.)
Even so, for fans looking to embrace the chaos, Victorian Psycho has a lot to offer. Leaving wanton destruction in its wake, Wigon’s world escalates its havoc to anarchic levels… and loves every moment of it. Just know that, once you step into the theatre, the film truly lives up to its name. And that can make for a crazy ride.
Victorian Psycho is available in theatres on Friday, November 13th, 2026.
