Maika Monroe Descends Into Madness in First Trailer for Victorian Psycho
The first trailer has arrived for Victorian Psycho, offering a chilling glimpse at what could become one of this year’s most unsettling psychological horror films. Led by modern scream queen Maika Monroe, the gothic thriller blends Victorian elegance with mounting paranoia, bloody violence and an increasingly disturbing central performance.
Released by Bleecker Street, the trailer introduces audiences to the isolated world of Ensor House, where appearances quickly begin to unravel. Rich in oppressive atmosphere and gothic imagery, the footage teases a slow-burning descent into madness rather than relying on conventional jump scares, suggesting Victorian Psycho is aiming for psychological unease as much as outright horror.
The film arrives in US cinemas on 25 September 2026 and has received an R rating for strong bloody violence and brief sexual material.
Monroe stars as Winifred Notty, an eccentric young governess who arrives at the remote manor in 1858 to begin work caring for the household’s children. Before long, unsettling incidents begin to plague the estate, members of the staff mysteriously disappear and the family starts to question whether their newest employee is hiding something far more sinister than an unusual personality. While the trailer wisely keeps many of its biggest mysteries hidden, it makes one thing abundantly clear: Winifred’s arrival marks the beginning of a nightmare for everyone inside Ensor House.
Joining Monroe is an impressive supporting cast that includes Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho), Jason Isaacs (Honey Bunch), Ruth Wilson, Amy De Bhrún, Jacobi Jupe and Evie Templeton, bringing together an ensemble packed with talent from both film and television.
Behind the camera is Zachary Wigon, whose acclaimed thriller Sanctuary showcased his ability to create intense psychological tension through character-driven storytelling. The screenplay has been written by Virginia Feito, adapting her own novel of the same name. Feito first attracted widespread attention with her debut novel Mrs. March, and Victorian Psycho marks another exploration of unreliable personalities, dark humour and psychological instability. Producing duties are handled by Dan Kagan, whose recent credits include Longlegs, alongside Sebastien Raybaud.
The project has already enjoyed an impressive festival debut, premiering in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The sidebar has long been known for highlighting distinctive and ambitious international cinema, making it an appropriate launchpad for a film that appears more interested in atmosphere and character than traditional horror conventions.
Although Victorian Psycho is based on a contemporary novel, its gothic setting places it firmly within a tradition stretching back more than a century. The isolated manor house, mysterious newcomer, suspicious household and creeping sense of dread all evoke classic gothic literature while the trailer hints at a far more violent modern edge. Rather than presenting Victorian England as refined and orderly, the film appears determined to expose the darkness lurking beneath its polished exterior.
For Maika Monroe, the film represents another fascinating addition to an already impressive horror résumé. After becoming a genre favourite with It Follows, Monroe has continued to build a reputation for choosing distinctive horror projects, including Watcher and Longlegs. With Victorian Psycho, she once again appears to be stepping into a complex and unpredictable role that refuses to fit neatly into traditional horror archetypes.
The production also underwent notable changes before cameras rolled. Margaret Qualley was originally attached to star before leaving the project, with Monroe ultimately taking over the lead role. During development, distribution plans also shifted, with Bleecker Street later acquiring the film for US release.
Whether Victorian Psycho ultimately delivers on the promise of its striking first trailer remains to be seen, but it already has several ingredients working in its favour: an acclaimed source novel, an experienced psychological thriller director, an outstanding cast and one of horror’s most dependable leading performers. If the finished film can maintain the haunting atmosphere showcased in these first images, horror fans may have another gothic gem to look forward to this autumn.
