Victorian Psycho is a 2026 horror thriller film directed by Zachary Wigon, written by Virginia Feito and based on her 2025 novel of the same name. It stars Maika Monroe, Thomasin McKenzie, Ruth Wilson and Jason Isaacs.
The film had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 21.
Contents
Premise
In 1858, an eccentric young governess, Winifred Notty (Monroe), arrives at the remote gothic manor Ensor House. As Winifred assimilates, staff begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners wonder if something is amiss about this new governess.
Cast
Maika Monroe as Winifred Notty
Thomasin McKenzie as Ms. Lamb
Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Pounds
Jason Isaacs as Mr. Pounds
Jacobi Jupe as Andrew Pounds
Evie Templeton as Drusilla Pounds
Amy De Bhrún as Mrs. Fancey
Production
Victorian Psycho was directed by Zachary Wigon and written by Virginia Feito. It was produced by Traffic's Dan Kagan and Anton's Sebastien Raybaud alongside Wigon, in association with Anonymous Content. Anton fully financed the project. In October 2024, it was announced that Margaret Qualley was cast in the film. In November 2024, it was announced that McKenzie was also cast in the film. In December 2024, A24 acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.
By May 2025, Qualley had exited the film, with Maika Monroe replacing her, and A24 was no longer distributing the film. Jason Isaacs also joined the cast. In July 2025, True Brit Entertainment acquired the U.K. and Ireland distribution rights. Principal photography on the film began on 18 August 2025, in Ireland, with Bleecker Street acquiring U.S. distribution rights to the film and aiming for a 2026 nationwide theatrical release.
Release
The film had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 21 May. It is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States by Bleecker Street on 13 November 2026. It was previously scheduled to release in the United States on 25 September 2026.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 77% of 26 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "An enjoyably blood-soaked lark that thrives on Maika Monroe's ferocious lead performance, Victorian Psycho delivers plenty of wicked fun and literary wit." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 52 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.