This morning it was James Gray, and now the Cannes Film Festival has announced fifteen additional titles for its 79th edition, including Zachary Wigon’s “Victorian Psycho” — first look image above.
Screening in the Un Certain Regard sidebar, “Victorian Psycho” is a psychological thriller from Wigon (“Sanctuary”). The film was originally set up at A24 but was later dropped by the studio, eventually landing at Bleecker Street.
Set in Victorian England, the story follows an eccentric governess who arrives at a remote Gothic manor, only to stir suspicion that she is not quite what she seems. Maika Monroe stars in the lead role, replacing Margaret Qualley, who suddenly bowed out due to a scheduling conflict. The cast also includes Jason Isaacs and Thomasin McKenzie. The screenplay is adapted from the novel by Virginia Feito, who also penned the adaptation.
Monroe has turned into a sort of scream queen, building a considerable filmography of frighteners, including “Longlegs,” “It Follows,” “Watcher,” and “The Guest.” She is set to shoot an “It Follows” sequel in the summer.
Other titles added ti the Cannes lineup this afternoon include Judith Godrèche’s “A Girl’s Story,” Konstantina Kotzamani’s “Titanic Ocean,” Diego Luna’s “Ashes,” and Christophe Honoré’s “Mariage au goût d’orange.”
Notably absent is Werner Herzog, whose “Bucking Fastard” came very close to entering the official competition but was ultimately offered a slot in the Cannes Premiere section — it now looks like the film will be headed to Venice in September.
Meanwhile, look for Bruno Dumont’s “Red Rocks” to be added to the Directors Fortnight lineup very soon.
Competition
“Paper Tiger,” James Gray
Un Certain Regard
“Victorian Psycho,” Zachary Wigon
“A Girl’s Story,” Judith Godrèche
“Titanic Ocean,” Konstantina Kotzamani
“Ulysse,” Laetitia Masson (Closing film of Un Certain Regard)Cannes Premiere
“The End of It,” Maria Martinez Bayona
“Mary Magdalene,” Gessica Généus
“Aqui,” Tiago Guedes
“Mariage au Goût d’Orange,” Christophe Honoré
“Si Tu Penses Bien,” Géraldine NakacheSpecial Screenings
“Spring,” Rostislav Kirpičenko
“Ashes,” Diego Luna
“Tangles,” Leah Nelson
“Le Triangle d’Or,” Hélène Rosselet-Ruiz
“Groundswell,” Joshua and Rebecca TickellFamily Screening
“Lucy Lost,” Olivier Clert
His reasoning is simple: Cregger sees himself first and foremost as a writer, and he has little interest in shaping stories around the predetermined “data points” that come with established IP.