Psycho Goreman will stream on Shudder, AMC Networks’ streaming service for horror, thrillers, and the supernatural, on May 20, 2021, in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Previously, the film was released on Blu-ray and DVD in North America by RLJE Films on March 16th 2021. The release includes over two hours of special features:
Audio commentary by writer-director Steven Kostanski
Interview with writer-director Steven Kostanski
Interviews with the cast
Interview with actor Adam Brooks
Kortex: A Konversation
The Music of PG: Psycho Goreman
Fight Choreography
Fight Pre-Viz
Filming the Paladin Fight
PG vs Pandora
Miniature Magic
Inside the Creature Shop
Concept art gallery
Trading card gallery
Behind-the-scenes photo gallery
Meanwhile, here is our previous coverage of the film:
‘Little girl. Big psycho.’
Psycho Goreman is a 2020 Canadian comedy horror film about a pair of kids that unwittingly resurrect an ancient alien overlord. Also known as PG: Psycho Goreman
Written and directed by Steven Kostanski (Leprechaun Returns; The Void; Manborg; et al). The movie stars Matthew Ninaber, Kristen MacCulloch, Adam Brooks and Reece Presley.
As the trailer below attests, the ‘R’-rated movie is crammed with practical special effects that recall ’80s efforts such as The Gate (also Canadian) and Beastmaster 2. Kostanski has also cited Masters of the Universe as an influence. Meanwhile, the distributors can’t seem to make their mind up what to call it. The new poster above features Psycho Goreman as the main title but it’s referred to as PG: Psycho Goreman below.
Plot:
Mimi (Nita-Josée Hanna) and Luke (Owen Myre), is a perpetually bickering sister/brother duo who unwittingly resurrect an ancient alien overlord (Matt Ninaber) who’s been entombed in their backyard. The pair nickname the malevolent creature Psycho Goreman (or PG for short) who thanks to their possession of a magical amulet is forced to obey their childish whims.
It appears the same goes for the rest of the galaxy as PG’s reappearance on Earth draws the attention of interstellar friends and fiends from across the cosmos. It isn’t long before a rogues’ gallery of galactic combatants converges on the strange realm of small-town suburbia…
First review:
Now, I’ve enjoyed Steven Kostanski’s work in the past – whether it was the Lovecraftian horror of The Void or his work with Astron-6 – and so I had some hope for this retro-styled splattery sci-fi film, but my God, Psycho Goreman is utterly f*cking unbearable.
The story of an omnipotent alien who has been buried on Earth and is unearthed by the most annoying child ever to grace the screen, who for reasons too boring to explain have control over him. Mimi, played by Nita Josee-Hanna with a permanent sneer, is the epitome of an entitled brat and – in a film full of alien monsters – quite the most unbelievable thing about the whole story. It feels like a sign of everything wrong with modern cinema that I suspect we are supposed to find her endearing and edgy as she pushes everyone around and behaves like a psychopathic narcissist. But seriously, she is intolerable.
This is another 1980s pastiche that totally misunderstands the films it purports to love. While Eighties horror was increasingly formulaic and bland, it nevertheless had a simple, no-nonsense style – dull all too often, but rarely pretentious.
Psycho Goreman tries desperately hard to be smart and knowing but is simply vacuous and annoying – it has all the charm and wit of a Troma movie. If your sole requirements from a horror movie are practical effects, one-dimensional characters and awful music, then this might be up your street – and no doubt it went down a storm with undiscerning festival audiences. But my God, it was hard work sitting through this piece of crap.”
David Flint, guest reviewer via The Reprobate
Second review
As per its title, Psycho Goreman has great practical splattery effects and creature costumes. Unfortunately, it’s irredeemably juvenile overall with only and a few minor moments of amusement. Although she’s perhaps meant to be strangely endearing (?), the character of brattish girl Mimi (superbly acted by Nita-Josée Hanna) comes across as way over-the-top annoying. Psycho Goremman is maybe worth a watch if you can stomach Mimi and the overall airheaded tone but too much hype has gone to some reviewers’ heads, it seems, and this movie is generally overrated. Proceed with interest and anticipation but definite caution. Adrian J Smith, MOVIES & MANIA
Other reviews:
“This movie might annoy some people who check it out, but a lot of viewers are going to have a blast with it. I had fun watching its mixture of tributes to ’80s fantasy stories and ’80s practical gore effects, and am happy to know that it’s going to be receiving a good amount of love and appreciation.” Arrow in the Head
“Psycho Goreman mixes elements of family adventure films, gross-out horror and acerbic black comedy to create something entirely unique. First and foremost, Kostanski’s film is great fun. However, it’s also cleverly and made and employs some great visual effects work. It goes without saying that you have to suspend your disbelief…” Backseat Mafia
“There’s an attempt to layer in a more poignant conflict between family members later on, but it feels shoehorned in and half-baked […] Psycho Goreman delivers the schlocky space operas of our youth but injects hyper-violence and splatstick mayhem to liven things up. It’s a no-fuss, straightforward story meant to showcase the special effects and creature designs, and it more than delivers there.” Bloody Disgusting
” …a horror comedy that provides a major jolt of creativity, welcoming viewers into a highly amusing, blood-soaked adventure with a frustrated alien and the kids who love to control him. Psycho Goreman is a hilarious picture and the most charmingly violent effort found in years. It’s a Gwar concert with huge laughs and fascinating production textures, giving Kostanski another winner for his impressive filmography.” Blu-ray.com
“PG: Psycho Goreman‘s only real flaws lie in some of the predictability in spoofing the genres and eras it does, but thanks to its nostalgic throwback tone, stellar practical effects and solid performances from its central cast, it’s an absolute bloody blast from start to finish.” Coming Soon
“To quantify how the film portions its plate, I’d say Psycho Goreman is only 15% comedy, 15% action, 20% horror, and 50% drama. I could win a pull quote contest if I added, “and 100% fun!” That would be a generous stretching of the truth. Psycho Goreman is fun, but that factor is somewhere in the 70% range. Give or take 30% in either direction depending on how this quirky blend of flavors tantalizes your taste buds.” Culture Crypt
“By combining the wildly creative practical effects of the space opera/fantasy, the optimistic inhibition of childhood adventure, and body horror affects that would make Lloyd Kaufman proud, Kostanski does more than create the story of his childhood fantasies, he presents a ride of galactic proportions that’ll have you giggle-screaming from beginning to end.” Elements of Madness
“While the movie is jammed packed with weirdness and is a bit goofy. But it has enough blood and guts to satisfy any gorehound. Featuring a ton of practical, stop motion, and CGI, the special effects team has earned serious street cred. I have to admit, I found the movie’s dialogue a bit annoying. As for the acting, it all felt forced and fake and way over the top, which very well may have been the goal.” Horror Fuel
“With an amusing blend of childhood fantasy escapism along with bonkers gore and fights, Psycho Goreman is sure to be a movie that is sure to amuse audiences of all ages. That is if parents are cool and allow their kids to watch it. Which they should.” iHorror
” …the messy, splattering practical effects are a joy to behold. PG never breaks character, but voice performer Steven Vlahos brings out all the pitch-black humor of his ominous pronouncements. Yet, it is young Nita-Josee Hanna who is really terrifying as bossy Mimi. She is way scarier than the nasty brat in the Twilight Zone’s “It’s a Good Life” (either the original TV or movies version).” J.B. Spins
“Kostanski never wants you to take this film seriously. The only goal here is to laugh while blood drenches the screen […] This film feels like the culmination of everything Kostanski has been building to as a filmmaker. A film with heart and soul that is as funny as it is bloody, without an ounce of cynicism to be found.” Killer Horror Critic
“Stephen Kostanski’s tone is sometimes uneven. I kept asking myself for what audience he was making the film. On one level, the film could easily be sold as a kid’s comedy to the same audience as The Monster Squad, albeit a children’s film that seems to have been made for adults. The comedy sits alongside scenes of quite dark humour.” Moria
” …the film is only going to appeal to about 3% of the population, thankfully I’m in that group but those who aren’t, well they will most likely put this flick in the terrible, if not fully unwatchable column. The performances by the human characters are far from compelling at best and downright annoying at worst […] While there are a number of negatives going against PG: Psycho Goreman it’s got one thing that trumps everything else, it’s a lot of damn fun.” Punch Drunk Critics
“If you like anything that Kostanski has done before Psycho Goreman you will not be disappointed […] Ripe with huge laughs, it bolsters massive creativity that would make the studio system blush and comes with enough gore to flood an abattoir. This is the kind of genre cinema that we dream of. ” Screen Anarchy
” …a gonzo absurdist intergalactic sci-fi horror comedy that flaunts the gory ingenuity of its no-budget analog effects, along with a lot of so-broad-it’s-camp acting. Psycho Goreman wants to bring back those heady Troma fumes. But this one, quite knowingly, is like The Toxic Avenger remade by the Robert Rodriguez of Spy Kids.” Variety, January 21, 2021
” …there’s a cheap and cheerful aspect, but enough of it to build a fun whole. I found the gore FX far more palatable than Mimi, to be honest: the actor does a great job playing what we could politely call a gregarious child, and it fits in with the generally cartoonish aspect of the film, but my word: Mimi is Very Much, and your ability to gel with this character will probably have a large impact on how you take the film overall.” Warped Perspective
Release:
PG (Psycho Goreman) was due to premiere at the South By South-West (SXSW) festival -as a part of the Midnight section on Friday the 13th of March 2020, however, due to the pandemic that didn’t happen.
RLJE Films has released Psycho Goreman on VOD, Blu-ray and DVD, thereafter Shudder will premiere the film on its streaming service in early 2021. “PG: Psycho Goreman is a perfect movie for all of us who grew up in a video store,” said RLJE Films chief acquisitions officer Mark Ward. “It has so much heart, thrills and fun that we believe this could be a franchise. We love this movie.”
Choice dialogue:
Luke: “How long is this going to go on for?”
PG: “The horrors you’ve just witnessed cannot be unseen.”
PG: “I feel my life slipping away.”
Cast and characters:
Matthew Ninaber … Psycho Goreman aka PG
Kristen MacCulloch … Pandora
Adam Brooks … Greg
Reece Presley … Chad
Matthew Kennedy … Kortex
Conor Sweeney … Maddox / Cassius 3000
Owen Myre … Luke
Rick Amsbury … Dennis
Nita-Josee Hanna … Mimi
Timothy Paul McCarthy … Father
Anna Tierney … Pandora (voice)
Roxine Latoya Plummer … Human Pandora
Steven Vlahos … PG (voice)
Robert Homer … Vince / Zombie Cop
Alternate title:
Psycho Goreman
Technical details:
95 minutes
YouTube reviews:
