The Shudder exclusive Psycho Goreman just hit the horror streaming platform last week. The film is memorable for a number of reasons, but mostly for how cool PG turns out to be. When I was growing up one of my favorite experiences was getting to go to a toy store. Shelves and shelves of Ninja Turtles, He-Man, M.A.S.K., GI Joe, you name it, I wanted them all. Almost always I would pick out a “bad” guy because they always had to best look, or the coolest weapon. But what if those goopy, monstrous, spiked or grotesque action figures were real and wanted to take over the universe?
What you would have is the movie Psycho Goreman. Inspired while watching the cult classic Rawhead Rex, writer, creature designer and director Steven Kostanski (The Void, Leprechaun Returns) wanted to create something that was a bit of a throwback. Even the film’s opening crawl immediately hits you over the head with the nostalgia hammer and lets you know you’re about to feel like a kid again, staying up too late to watch something you’re probably not allowed to.
Transitioning from a distant planet to a muddy backyard, we’re dropped right into the action with the brother and sister team of the gleefully obnoxious Mimi (Nita-Josee Hanna) and the sheepish Luke (Owen Myre) in a heated game of “Crazy Ball” (a made up game that I don’t think you’re ever supposed to understand how to play).
Mimi wins of course, and as with any childhood game, the loser must be buried alive. It’s here while digging the hole that the duo come across a glowing gem, which they take, unknowingly unleashing a long-buried evil from the planet Gygax back upon the universe. Luckily for our siblings, the gem can control the always monologuing, partial to beheadings, self-proclaimed “Archduke of Nightmares” and thus begins the misadventures of Psycho Goreman, or ‘PG’ for short.
There is a lot to unpack in Psycho Goreman. It feels like every ten minutes the movie itself throws a wrench into the narrative. From an Intergalactic counsel comprised of aliens, Angelic cyborgs and other beings, elaborate flashback sequences full of planetary uprising and space battles, a forest battle with witches, tin men and a giant cauldron that shoots blood and viscera to a quirky montage with a kid’s rock band, the cliché “trying on clothes” sequence and family hijinks that would feel right at home on a weekly sitcom, if it wasn’t for the eight foot tall purple demon that can melt your face with telekinesis.
Part of the charm of PG is the use of practical effects, elaborate miniatures and rubber monster suits that make each character we meet, that isn’t human, all feel like they’re from the same universe. For what I know was a small budget, the team behind all the effects made it feel like a much bigger movie while keeping a very stylized look.
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The cast of Psycho Goreman is stellar, Nita-Josee Hanna as Mimi is just pure energy and charisma. What could be the world’s most evil and obnoxious kid grows on you as we spend more time with her. A true testament to her standout performance. Greg, played by Adam Brooks, should be incredibly unlikeable as he is a terrible husband and father.
But through Adam’s portrayal he comes across as so pathetic he’s almost charming and you can’t help but root for him. Alexis Kara Hancey as Susan does a great job having to be the long suffering grounded one in this circus, but she gets to let loose in the finale. Matthew Ninaber, PG himself, does a thankless job acting and performing through all the makeup and rubber. Even though it’s not his voice, the body language and movement breathe so much life and really round out the character.
This film is an absolute blast. It’s incredibly silly, over the top gory and so absurd you’ll want to watch it over and over just to pick up something you might have missed. This is the ultimate Midnight movie and one that you’ll keep on rotation. I still have all those action figures I collected when I was a kid, and they continue to bring me joy, and like Psycho Goreman I must keep them away from respectable company or else suffer a “Warriors Death”. 4/5
Psycho Goreman directed by Steven Kostanski and starring Nita-Josee Hanna, Owen Myre, Matthew Ninaber is now streaming only on Shudder. Check out the trailer below and as always be sure to follow ScaryNerd for more of all things horror, sci-fi and more.
K.B. O’Neil is an artist, writer and musician living in Cincinnati, Ohio. He loves movies, books, video games, snuggling his two pups and all things Horror. When not working he can be found getting into adventures with his wife and their new daughter.