A Governess, a Gothic Manor and a Bloody Secret: Victorian Psycho Heads to Australian Cinemas

A quiet Victorian manor is about to become the setting for something considerably more sinister. Victorian Psycho, the darkly comic horror thriller starring Maika Monroe, is coming to Australian cinemas, bringing a twisted period tale of madness, suspicion and bloody secrets to the big screen.

Directed by Zachary Wigon, the filmmaker behind Sanctuary, Victorian Psycho is set in 1850s England and follows Winifred Notty, an eccentric young governess who arrives at the remote Ensor House to care for the children of the wealthy Pounds family. At first, she appears to be an enthusiastic and capable educator. It does not take long, however, for the atmosphere inside the grand house to become increasingly unsettling.

As strange events begin to unfold, suspicion grows around Winifred and the people living within the manor. The film gradually turns the familiar gothic-house setup into something much more unpredictable, mixing period drama with gruesome horror and a distinctly dark sense of humour.

Monroe takes the central role of Winifred, following her acclaimed performances in horror films including It Follows, Watcher and Longlegs. This time, however, the actress approaches the genre from a very different angle. Rather than simply playing a character trying to escape a nightmare, Winifred appears increasingly comfortable at the centre of one.

The cast also features Thomasin McKenzie, Jason Isaacs, Amy De Bhrún, Katherine Moran, Jacobi Jupe, Kate Brady and Dagmar Döring. Screenwriter Virginia Feito adapted the film from her novel of the same name, while Wigon directs.

Victorian Psycho premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where Monroe's performance attracted attention for combining the film's gruesome material with an unusual comic energy. The film has subsequently earned a theatrical release from Bleecker Street in international markets.

For Australian audiences, current listings from Event Cinemas and Flicks put the theatrical release on February 11, 2027. The film is currently listed as CTC in Australia, with Event Cinemas confirming Zachary Wigon as director and the principal cast.

The Australian date differs from the film's U.S. theatrical schedule, which is currently listed for November 13, 2026. This makes the Australian release a later arrival for local horror fans, but one that could provide an intriguing alternative to more conventional modern slashers.

What makes Victorian Psycho particularly intriguing is its combination of elegant period surroundings and increasingly grotesque horror. The contrast between the restrained world of Victorian England and Winifred's unsettling behaviour gives the film plenty of room to play with expectations.

For Australian moviegoers looking for something darker and more unconventional, Victorian Psycho offers a gothic mystery with a bloody streak and a lead performance at its centre. The manor may look respectable from the outside, but behind its walls, things are clearly beginning to unravel.

Victorian Psycho is currently scheduled to open in Australian cinemas on February 11, 2027.

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