Texarkana moviegoers who enjoy period pieces may be curious about “Victorian Psycho,” the latest adaptation of Virginia Feito’s 2025 novel. The film reimagines the premise of the classic “American Psycho” by swapping the 1980s Wall Street setting for a Victorian England governess who turns murderous.

Style over substance

Director Zachary Wigon leans heavily into visual flair. Cinematographer Nico Aguilar employs frequent whip‑pans, rapid tilts, and even a point‑of‑view shot from an infant’s carriage. While the aesthetic is bold, the constant camera tricks often distract from the narrative, leaving viewers with a sense of intrusion rather than immersion.

The opening sequence introduces Winifred Notty (Maika Monroe) as she declares herself “the sanest person” she has ever met while being delivered to the aristocratic Pounds household. This quirky introduction sets a tone that the film never fully sustains.

Performances hold the film together

Monroe, known for roles in “Longlegs” and “It Follows,” delivers a committed performance, even if the script offers little insight into Winifred’s murderous impulses. Thomasin McKenzie plays the innocent nursemaid Miss Lamb, and both actors manage to keep the audience engaged despite the thin character motivations.

Supporting work from Ruth Wilson and Jason Isaacs as the troubled Pounds parents adds a touch of gravitas. Their portrayals of a jealous matriarch and a lecherous patriarch provide occasional comic relief, though the film ultimately treats the English landed gentry as a caricature rather than a nuanced critique.

Plot and pacing issues

“Victorian Psycho” spends much of its runtime emphasizing Winifred’s madness without offering a clear reason for her violence. An eleventh‑hour revelation attempts to explain her actions, but it arrives too late to affect the story’s momentum.

The climax, intended as a grand bloodbath, is undercut by an inexplicable fantasy sequence that dilutes the impact of the final showdown. The result is a film that feels more like a collection of stylistic tricks than a cohesive horror narrative.

Bottom line

While the cast performs admirably and the production design captures the opulence of Victorian England, “Victorian Psycho” ultimately offers surface‑level thrills without the deeper thematic weight that could have made it memorable. Audiences seeking genuine horror or thoughtful commentary may find the film lacking, though fans of stylized period cinema might appreciate its visual ambition.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.