Gothic Horror Governor Eats Ear in Victorian Psychodrama

Adapted from Virginia Feito's novel, the film "Victorian Psycho" struggles to land its horror elements, with director Wigon's direction favoring exaggerated performances over genuine scares. Maika Monroe stars as Winifried Notty, a governess with a history of tragedy at previous employments, including missing children and infanticide. She takes a position at the imposing Ensor House, overseeing the children of the eccentric Pounds family.

Winifried, whose name is also Fred, is not the one being frightened but is instead the terrorizer. Her unhinged nature is immediately apparent, as she consumes a severed ear found in her room. Despite the film's Gothic atmosphere and strong production design, it fails to develop suspense, with Winifried's maliciousness evident from the outset.

The Pounds family, far from respectable, possesses a dark lineage, including an ancestor executed for bestiality and a father who was a pedophile. Winifried, embracing her inner darkness, intends to integrate into the family and exact a terrible revenge. The film aims for thematic depth regarding sanity and evil but dilutes its potential by prioritizing rapid pacing over narrative coherence, culminating in a somewhat unsettling coda.