MONSTROUS MOVIE REVIEW: Psycho Goreman (2020)
2020 was a tough year for a lot of us. For movie buffs it was particularly difficult as productions halted, release dates were put off indefinitely and there just wasn’t a lot of new movies coming out. When they did trickle out though, many were worth the wait. PSYCHO GOREMAN, which was released on January 22, 2021, is one of these movies.
I was a teenager during the 1980s and as such, it is my favorite decade of horror movies. There was no shortage; whether it was films being released to the theatre or went direct to video, you could always find something new to watch. When I watched PSYCHO GOREMAN I was transported back to the 1980s, as every aspect of this film feels like it was made from that time.
The first film that came to mind was the 1987 film, THE GATE. This also had two kids, this time best friends, have a hole in the back yard that releases demons. In PSYCHO GOREMAN, we have a brother and sister who dig a hole in their back yoard only to find a round tablet with a gem in the center. Not realizing that this gem is the only thing imprisoning a ancient alien overlord, Mimi takes the gem and along with her brother Luke, fill the hole in. During the night the creature is released, wanting to destroy everything in its path. Since Mimi is in possession of the gem, she is able to control the demon and calls him Psycho Goreman.
This Canadian film, written and directed by Steven Kostanski, is a great throwback to what made the horror movies of the 1980s so much fun. It is a great combination of terror and comedy, and even though Psycho Goreman is evil, you actually start to feel bad for him because of the way selfish Mimi treats him. Mimi, played by Nita-Josee Hanna, is the actual monster here, as all she cares about is getting her own way, even if it means disrespecting her family.
Most of the effects are done practically though there is some stop motion animation. The costumes of all of the aliens are very original and look quite good. All of the aliens have their own personalities, adding to the fun. Though this movie seems to be geared towards teens, it is quite bloody. Heads are torn off graphically and weapons are made out of body parts. It is all done over the top though, making it more tolerable.
The star of the film, of course, is Psycho Goreman, played by Matt Ninaber and voiced by Steven Vlahos. The costume is beautifully rendered with a lot of detail. The movements are very realistic, suspending disbelief that this is actually a man in a suit. It is this realism, and the combination of two people playing him, that makes you feel bad for him in the end, even though he is bent on world domination.
It you want a seriously written and acted film, PSYCHO GOREMAN may not be for you. If you are in the need of escape with a film you don’t have to think to deeply about, you will thoroughly enjoy this film. This film, though available OnDemand, will officially be released on March 16, 2021. If you would like to order this film, please click on the image below.
Make sure to check out all of my MONSTROUS MOVIE REVIEWS.
~David Albaugh
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