‘Victorian Psycho’ Trailer: Maika Monroe Goes Unhinged in Zachary Wigon’s Ultra-Violent Gothic Horror

Here’s the trailer for Victorian Psycho by Zachary Wigon, which I saw at Cannes this year.

This is an over-the-top, ultra-violent, preposterous film. There is absolutely zero reason to take this film seriously while watching it.

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 as the patriarch and Thomasin McKenzie as the daughter. The screenplay is adapted from the novel by Virginia Feito, who also penned the adaptation.

Monroe is completely unhinged here. I don’t think there’s any other way to describe her performance. She plays a woman who is absolutely turned on by blood. Beware of anyone who describes herself as “the sanest person I’ve ever met.” She goes to 11 with her acting. No subtlety whatsoever.

The visual style is also outlandish. The humor ranges from absurd visual gags to gooey violence. There are tilted frames, upside-down shots, and restless camera movements — all of which are meant to represent her psyche. This is basically a Victorian version of “American Psycho,” and right before the screening, Cannes chief Thierry Frémaux mentioned that Brian De Palma had emailed him, proud that the film was being screened at Cannes — I can see his influence here as well.

Did I like the film? Well, it’s certainly not boring, but it’s a little too much. It’s the kind of film that tries its damnedest to shock, yet ends up feeling far less subversive than it imagines itself to be.

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 this summer.

Wigon, who directed the indie chamber piece “Sanctuary,” originally had “Victorian Psycho” set up at A24, but the indie studio later dropped the film, which eventually landed at  Bleecker Street.