Psycho Killer Review: A Devilishly Dull Horror That Fails to Impress
The writer of the acclaimed thriller Seven, Andrew Kevin Walker, commits a cinematic sin with Psycho Killer, a bland horror film that should have remained in development hell. When a script circulates in Hollywood for nearly two decades, it often sparks curiosity, but this delayed satanic serial slasher proves to be disappointingly dull.
A Long and Troubled Production History
Originally penned in the mid-2000s, Psycho Killer has faced numerous setbacks over the years. In 2009, Fred Durst was slated to direct, followed by Eli Roth set to produce in 2010. Production was scheduled to begin in 2011, and German funding was anticipated in 2015, but each plan encountered obstacles. It wasn't until 2023 that the film finally entered production, with long-time producer Gavin Polone making his directorial debut.
Now released by 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of Disney, the film quietly arrived in over 1,000 cinemas, raising questions about its theatrical viability during a challenging period for the industry.
Walker's Career and the Script's Shortcomings
Andrew Kevin Walker's ingenious script for Seven did not lead to the sustained success many predicted. His screenplay for 8mm was heavily altered, leading him to disown it, and he contributed to the regrettable 2010 remake of Wolfman. His Covid-era crime thriller Windfall also underperformed. In the aftermath of his 1995 breakout, another serial killer thriller might have seemed promising, but Psycho Killer feels inessential even by 2007 standards, resembling a low-budget B-movie fit for direct-to-DVD release.
A Film Caught in Genre Limbo
Psycho Killer struggles to find its footing, being too straightforward and simplistic to function as an effective crime thriller, yet too dull and lacking in scares to succeed as a horror film. The plot follows a mask-wearing serial killer, portrayed by wrestler-turned-actor James Preston Rogers, who leaves a trail of carnage across the United States, marked by satanic symbols. The FBI's incompetence adds a faintly modern touch, but the narrative fails to engage.
After her husband is murdered, police officer Jane, played by Georgina Campbell from Barbarian, becomes obsessed with tracking down the killer. The film alternates between protagonist and antagonist with equal focus, akin to switching video-game characters, but both are written with minimal depth. The anticipated reveal of the killer's motives, hinted at through past crimes, culminates in an underwhelming thud, offering nothing revelatory to justify the tedious buildup.
Moments of Brief Entertainment and Overall Failure
Despite a few diverting moments, such as a kinetic hotel-room fight and a malevolently hammy performance by Malcolm McDowell, the film lacks sustained excitement. The rushed finale, complete with a predictable jump-scare coda, feels like a letdown, likely disappointing even those who once championed the script. It plays out like a third-rate episode of The X-Files, but without the charismatic appeal of Mulder and Scully, leaving Campbell's generic character unable to command the screen.
The arduous journey from development hell to cinemas yields no rewards for filmmakers or audiences. Psycho Killer is as hopelessly bland as its title suggests, making it one of the least necessary horror releases of the year. While Polone's direction shows basic competence, preventing it from being the worst horror film, it remains an unremarkable and forgettable entry in the genre.
Psycho Killer is currently showing in US cinemas, with releases scheduled for the UK and Australia at a later date.
