REVIEW: “Psycho Killer” (2026)

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I’ve been seriously impressed watching Georgina Campbell’s rise – she’s quickly become a true scream queen! She was fantastic in movies like “Barbarian” (2022) and “Bird Box Barcelona” (2023), and I really enjoyed “The Watchers” this year. She’s already got a couple of projects lined up for the next couple of years, but she just came out with “Cold Storage” which was a great mix of genres. Now she’s back with “Psycho Killer”, and honestly, the trailer is terrifying – I have a feeling this one is going to be one of the scariest and most disturbing movies of the year.

As a big fan of thrillers, I was really hoping “Psycho Killer” would deliver, especially knowing it was written by Andrew Kevin Walker, the guy behind “Seven” and “The Killer.” But honestly, it just didn’t quite come together for me. The story felt all over the place, with some really strange decisions made along the way, and the ending felt completely disconnected from everything else – like it belonged in a different movie altogether. It started with so much potential, clearly drawing inspiration from great films, but it just couldn’t build anything truly cohesive.

Director Gavin Polone quickly establishes the story’s central conflict. Jane Archer, a Kansas State Trooper played by Campbell, witnesses her husband and colleague, Mike (Stephen Adekolu), tragically killed during a routine traffic stop. The perpetrator escapes and is soon revealed to be a serial killer wanted for murders across six states. Known as the “Satanic Slasher,” he leaves behind disturbing satanic symbols written in blood at each crime scene.

Driven to stop a serial killer who murdered her husband, Jane uses a temporary leave from work to hunt him down. She follows his path of victims, hoping to anticipate his next move. As she investigates, she uncovers disturbing clues that help her understand the killer’s potential motivations. However, he always seems to be one step ahead, continuing his unpredictable attacks with a hidden purpose that no one suspects.

Things started promisingly, with a solid foundation for a complex story. However, it quickly devolved into a simple chase across the Midwest, with Jane essentially acting as the only effective investigator. While the local police and federal agents do little, Jane relentlessly pursues the killer, with only minimal help from a single FBI agent. She’s constantly moving between areas, accomplishing far more than the established law enforcement agencies.

The large and intimidating Slasher (played by James Preston Rogers, a former wrestler) continues his violent spree, surprisingly managing to avoid detection despite being incredibly noticeable. He’s physically imposing – built like a huge truck – and speaks with a booming voice reminiscent of a Marvel movie villain. While undeniably frightening, especially when he puts on his unsettling radiation mask, it’s baffling how he continues to evade capture.

The movie gets increasingly ridiculous in its second half, and it reaches peak absurdity when the killer encounters Pendleton (Malcolm McDowell), the leader of a Satanic cult, at his mansion. Pendleton and his followers briefly send the film into a completely bizarre direction. Soon after, the movie takes yet another strange turn, with a final act that feels disconnected from everything that came before.

Despite some promising ideas and strong performances, particularly from Campbell, “Psycho Killer” ultimately falls short. While the film doesn’t shy away from violence, it suffers from a confusing and disjointed plot that becomes increasingly tangled. The movie isn’t lacking in ambition, but it struggles to effectively bring its vision to life.

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2026-02-23 18:57