'Victorian Psycho' Clip Gives a Peek at Maika Monroe's Unsettling Governess

Maika Monroe has spent the better part of a decade as one of modern horror’s most recognizable faces. She broke out in ‘It Follows’ and later played an FBI agent in ‘Longlegs’. Now she is trading the hunted role for something far more dangerous in ‘Victorian Psycho‘.

The film is a period piece with a nasty streak. It is set in 1858, when an eccentric young governess named Winifred Notty arrives at a remote gothic manor called Ensor House. As she settles in, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners start to wonder whether something is off about their new hire.

Anticipation just got a fresh boost. On October 1, new exclusive clip from the film dropped on X, describing Monroe’s character as an eccentric governess who cares for children in a remote gothic manor while hiding her psychopathic tendencies. The 34-second video opens on a close-up of a child in a ruffled collar, lit in cold, dark blue tones, and the post reminds fans the film hits theaters on November 13.

This is the first official clip from the movie. The outlet describes it as an early moment when the family starts raising an eyebrow at Winifred’s behavior, with Monroe getting to be wonderfully strange. It also reports that her character isn’t quite seeing the world the way everyone else does.

Exclusive clip from ‘VICTORIAN PSYCHO’, starring Maika Monroe.

The film follows an eccentric governess who takes care of children in a remote gothic manor whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies.

In theaters on November 13. pic.twitter.com/ilddzdWg2c
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 1, 2026

That tone matches what Winifred’s job entails on paper. Her duties include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history. Meanwhile, the film’s own marketing notes that she is hiding her psychopathic tendencies the whole time.

The movie’s path to theaters was not smooth. The project originally had Margaret Qualley attached to star, but she exited because of a scheduling conflict, and Monroe replaced her. A24 was no longer distributing the film, and Bleecker Street later picked up US rights.

Monroe has said the role terrified her, and she prepared with weekly video rehearsals with director Zachary Wigon to nail down the blocking. Wigon previously made ‘The Heart Machine’ and ‘Sanctuary’, and this is his third feature. The script is by author Virginia Feito, who adapted her own 2025 horror novel.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and early reactions have been strong. Dread Central’s Josh Korngut called Monroe’s performance a career best in his Cannes review, while also singling out Ruth Wilson as a formidable counterbalance. Ruth Wilson plays Mrs. Pounds.

The marketing has leaned into the film’s dark comedy. When Bleecker Street released the official trailer on July 30, one outlet said Monroe went full Patrick Bateman, noting that the story grows increasingly bloodied as Winifred loses her marbles. The same piece also pointed to shades of Norman Bates and Annie Wilkes.

The film was originally set for September 25, but it moved to Friday, November 13. A holiday-season slot suits a story in which meals, dining and holidays play a prominent role. It is rated R for strong bloody violence and brief sexual material.

The cast around Monroe is worth noting too. Jason Isaacs plays Mr. Pounds and Thomasin McKenzie plays Ms. Lamb, while Jacobi Jupe plays Andrew, one of the children in Winifred’s care. Dan Kagan, who produced ‘Longlegs’, and Sebastien Raybaud produce.

For Monroe, the timing is busy. She is currently filming ‘They Follow’, the anticipated sequel to ‘It Follows’. If this clip is any indication, ‘Victorian Psycho’ could add another memorable turn to her horror résumé well before that film arrives.