Victorian Psycho (TRAILER)

Victorian Psycho arrives this fall as a blood-soaked, wickedly witty gothic thriller that turns the prim world of 19th-century England inside out. Directed by Zachary Wigon and written by Virginia Feito from her own novel, the film stars Maika Monroe as an unhinged governess whose carefully constructed facade hides something far darker. It premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section and is scheduled for a U.S. theatrical release on September 25 via Bleecker Street.

A governess with a secret

Set in 1858, the story follows Winifred Notty (Monroe), an eccentric young woman who arrives at the remote, imposing Ensor House to serve as governess. Her duties appear ordinary—teaching the children manners, lessons, and family history—yet she conceals psychopathic tendencies. As she settles into life at the estate, staff members begin disappearing under mysterious circumstances, and the household starts to suspect that their new employee is not what she seems.

The premise cleverly echoes classic gothic tropes—the isolated manor, the mysterious outsider, the unraveling of polite society—while injecting modern psychological edge and black comedy. Think the repressed elegance of Victorian literature colliding with the clinical detachment of a Patrick Bateman-style antihero, all filtered through Feito’s sharp literary voice.

From page to screen

Feito, author of the acclaimed novel Mrs. March, adapted her own book for the screen. The novel was published in early 2025, and the film brings its dark satire and psychological depth to life with a strong creative team. Wigon, known for the intense two-hander Sanctuary, directs; producers include Dan Kagan (of Longlegs fame) under his Traffic banner, Sébastien Raybaud for Anton, and Wigon himself, in association with Anonymous Content. Principal photography took place in Ireland beginning in August 2025.

The production path had its twists. Margaret Qualley was originally attached to star, with A24 set to distribute, before Monroe stepped into the lead role and Bleecker Street took over U.S. rights. Jason Isaacs joined as Mr. Pounds, the patriarch of the household. The supporting cast is equally compelling: Thomasin McKenzie as Ms. Lamb, Ruth Wilson, Evie Templeton, Jacobi Jupe, and others who populate the crumbling world of Ensor House.

Why it inspires

What makes Victorian Psycho more than just another period horror is its fearless embrace of duality. Victorian society prized restraint, propriety, and surface perfection. Beneath that polished exterior, Feito and Wigon explore the wild, uncontrollable forces of human nature—ambition, rage, desire, and the thrill of transgression. Monroe, long celebrated as a modern scream queen in films like It Follows, Watcher, and Longlegs, takes a bold step into full antagonist territory. Watching an actress known for vulnerability wield such ferocious control is electrifying.

Early critical response has been largely positive on Rotten Tomatoes (around 77% from the first wave of reviews), with praise centered on Monroe’s “ferocious lead performance,” the film’s “wicked fun,” and its literary wit. Some critics found the tone uneven—caught between horror and comedy—but many celebrated its blood-soaked energy and atmospheric design.

The film also reminds us of the power of literary adaptation done with nerve. Feito’s decision to write both the novel and the screenplay ensures a singular vision. In an era of endless remakes and safe IP, Victorian Psycho feels like a genuine original: a story that digs into the past to say something sharp about the masks we still wear today.

Ready for its close-up

Rated R for strong bloody violence and brief sexual material, the film runs roughly 90–100 minutes and blends elegant production design with unflinching gore. Trailers have already teased its unsettling atmosphere—severed body parts, whispered philosophy about good and evil, and Monroe’s unsettling calm amid mounting chaos.

As September approaches, Victorian Psycho stands as an invitation to lean into the darker corners of storytelling. It celebrates performers who refuse to stay in one lane, writers who trust their own voice, and audiences hungry for something both literate and lurid. In the candlelit halls of Ensor House, something wicked is waking—and it’s ready to educate us all.

Mark your calendars for September 25. The governess is coming.