Victorian Psycho review: A dark and bloody tale hiding behind a governess’s polite smile

Victorian Psycho is a 2026 horror thriller with elements of comedy and mystery. Set in Victorian England in 1858, the film follows Winifred Notty, an unusual young governess who arrives at the isolated Ensor House to look after the children of a wealthy family.

At first, Winifred appears to be there for a simple job. She is expected to teach the children good manners and help them learn about their family history. However, there is much more to her than the polite governess she appears to be.

The trouble begins when people working at Ensor House start disappearing. The strange events make the household increasingly uneasy, while the family begins to question whether bringing Winifred into their home was a mistake.

A governess with a dark secret

The central character, Winifred Notty, is not the usual quiet and caring governess often seen in period films. She is strange, unpredictable and capable of disturbing acts.

Her behaviour is what gives the film much of its dark humour. Instead of simply trying to survive the dangerous house, Winifred herself becomes the source of much of the danger.

At Ensor House, she comes into contact with Mr Pounds and Mrs Pounds, the owners of the manor. Their children, Drusilla Pounds and Andrew, are also placed under Winifred’s care.

Miss Lamb, another member of the household, provides a different presence around Winifred. She is less aware of the danger surrounding her, making the growing tension at the manor more noticeable.

As more people disappear, the question is no longer simply what is happening inside Ensor House. It becomes clear that Winifred may be at the centre of it all.

Horror mixed with dark humour

One of the interesting things about Victorian Psycho is that it does not try to be a straight horror film. Alongside the violence and disturbing scenes, there is an unusual sense of humour.

The film takes the familiar setting of a large Victorian manor, formal clothing and strict household rules, then places a dangerous woman in the middle of it.

This gives the story a strange balance. Some moments are meant to make the viewer uncomfortable, while others are deliberately playful. Reviews of the film have described it as more of a twisted gothic romp than a deeply frightening horror film.

What works and what does not

The strongest part of the film is Winifred. Her character keeps the story moving because the viewer is never quite sure what she might do next.

The setting also works well. Ensor House feels isolated and uncomfortable, creating the right background for a story about missing staff and a governess with a hidden side. Critics have noted that some of the bloody scenes arrive without enough tension leading up to them. The result is a film that can be entertaining and strange without always being genuinely scary.

Victorian Psycho works best as a dark period horror film with a comic side rather than a serious psychological thriller. Its story is simple enough to follow, while Winifred Notty gives it an unusual centre.

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