Maika Monroe’s Unhinged Victorian Slasher Masterpiece Will Have You Rooting for the Killer | Review

There is a specific kind of electricity that hits Manhattan when a truly subversive horror film lands in the indie circuit. It is the same tension you feel walking past a darkened storefront in SoHo or navigating the subterranean echoes of the MTA at midnight—a sense that something slightly “off” is lurking just beneath the surface of the mundane. With the release of Victorian Psycho, Maika Monroe hasn’t just returned to the horror genre; she has effectively staged a coup. For those of us in New York City, where the legacy of psychological thrillers and the “urban gothic” is practically baked into the architecture, this film arrives as a visceral reminder that the most terrifying monsters aren’t the ones hiding in the cellar, but the ones wearing the most restrictive corsets.

Monroe has spent the last decade meticulously crafting her status as the definitive scream queen of the modern era. From the slow-burn dread of It Follows to the occult claustrophobia of Longlegs, she has mastered the art of the “haunted gaze.” However, Victorian Psycho represents a fundamental shift in her cinematic DNA. In this outing, directed by Zachary Wigon and adapted from Virginia Feito’s novel, Monroe isn’t the prey—she is the predator. Dropping the action into the bleak, windswept moors of Yorkshire in 1858, the film utilizes the rigid social hierarchies of the Victorian era as a pressure cooker. The result is a black comedy slasher that feels less like a traditional horror movie and more like a violent liberation fantasy.

The Evolution of the “Scream Queen” and the Subversion of the Slasher

To understand why Victorian Psycho resonates so strongly, one has to look at the trajectory of the slasher genre. For decades, the “Final Girl” trope dictated that the survivor must be the most morally pure or cautious character. Wigon and Feito flip this script entirely. By making the protagonist the one wielding the blade, the film transforms the act of killing into a commentary on agency and class. When you watch this film in a city like New York, where the hustle for power and visibility is a daily grind, the sight of Monroe’s character systematically dismantling the oppressive structures of 19th-century England feels oddly cathartic.

The film’s brilliance lies in its tonal instability. It oscillates between genuine gore and a biting, satirical wit that mocks the sensibilities of the era. This “elevated horror” approach is something we see reflected in the curated programming at the IFC Center or the Angelika Film Center, where the audience demands more than just jump scares; they want a sociological autopsy. Victorian Psycho provides exactly that, treating the bloodletting as a form of social critique. It asks a dangerous question: what happens when the person society has spent a lifetime silencing finally finds a voice—and that voice happens to be a scream of murderous rage?

Bridging the Gothic Moors to the Concrete Jungle

While the film is set in the Yorkshire moors, its thematic core is universal, particularly for the urban dweller. There is a profound connection between the isolated landscapes of 1858 England and the paradoxical loneliness of a city with eight million people. The feeling of being trapped by expectation, whether it is a Victorian marriage contract or the crushing weight of a corporate career in Midtown, is the same. The film’s aesthetic—heavy on velvet, fog, and sharp steel—echoes the dark academia trend that has permeated the cafes and bookstores of the West Village.

If you walk through the galleries of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically the Victorian-era exhibits, you can see the rigid silhouettes and stifling fabrics that the film uses as a visual metaphor for entrapment. The costume design in Victorian Psycho isn’t just period-accurate; it’s a weapon. The transition from the constrained attire of a “proper lady” to the blood-spattered remnants of a killer is a visual arc that mirrors the psychological collapse—or perhaps the psychological awakening—of Monroe’s character. This is where the film moves beyond simple entertainment and enters the realm of high art, blending the visceral with the intellectual in a way that feels uniquely tailored for a sophisticated, cinema-literate audience.

the influence of the New York Public Library’s vast archives of Gothic literature is evident here. The film draws from the same well as the Brontës, but instead of focusing on the longing and heartache of the moors, it focuses on the resentment. It is a “revenge gothic” that replaces the ghost in the attic with a living, breathing woman who has simply had enough. By integrating these literary foundations with the kinetic energy of a modern slasher, Wigon creates a hybrid that feels both timeless and urgent.

Navigating the Aftermath: Local Resources for the Creatively Inspired

Given my background as a geo-journalist and cultural pundit, I’ve seen how a film like Victorian Psycho can act as a catalyst for local creative explosions. Whether you are a filmmaker looking to capture that same “unhinged” energy or a historian fascinated by the intersection of fashion and violence, the impact of this movie often leads people to seek professional guidance to bring their own visions to life. If this trend of subversive, period-piece horror impacts your creative trajectory here in New York City, here are the three types of local professionals you should look for to refine your craft.

Independent Film Curators & Distribution Consultants

For those looking to bring niche, “elevated” horror to the screen, you need a consultant who understands the specific appetite of NYC’s indie circuit. Look for professionals with a proven track record of securing screenings at venues like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) or specialized horror festivals. They should be able to provide guidance on “festival routing”—knowing exactly which European festivals to hit before bringing a project back to a Manhattan premiere to maximize critical buzz.

Historical Costume Consultants & Wardrobe Stylists

If you’re attempting to replicate the “stifling” aesthetic of the Victorian era for a project, avoid generic rental houses. Seek out specialists who focus on “narrative costuming”—designers who understand how a garment can tell a story of psychological decay. The ideal consultant should have a deep knowledge of textile history and the ability to source authentic 19th-century silhouettes that can withstand the physical demands of a slasher-style production.

Narrative Psychologists & Character Consultants

Creating a believable “unhinged” protagonist requires more than just a excellent actor; it requires a psychological blueprint. Many high-end productions now hire narrative consultants—often licensed psychologists—to help writers map out the “shadow self” and the trajectory of a mental break. Look for professionals who specialize in the psychology of trauma and aggression to ensure your antagonist’s motivations are grounded in reality, even within a stylized slasher framework.

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