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In 2025, Jason Isaacs has just about done it all. He delivered a powerhouse performance in one of television's buzziest shows, The White Lotus, joined Maxine Peake for a frighteningly timely historical war drama in Words of War, helped reinvent a Shakespearian classic with Juliet & Romeo, and let loose as a loud-mouth promoter in the boxing drama Heavyweight.One thing he hasn't done yet this year, however, is take on the horror genre. That's about to change in August when Victorian Psycho begins production. Isaacs will share the screen with Longlegs favorite Maika Monroe in the gothic horror film based on the best-selling novel by Virginia Feito. Before he heads to shoot in the U.K. and Ireland, he was able to attend Fan Expo Denver over the weekend, where he provided a light update on the project during a panel moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt.

Released to plenty of fanfare back in February,...

UK distributor and producer-financier True Brit has co-financed $125m of UK film production budgets in the company’s first 18 months of operation, confirmed founder and CEO Zygi Kamasa at the company’s inaugural slate presentation in London yesterday (July 2).

Kamasa described it as “one of the largest single investments in independent British movies by any one company in the last 12 months”.

He is very much on track to fulfil the strategy outlined when the company was launched towards the end of 2023 of co-financing more than $150m of UK independent productions over True Brit’s first three years, with backing from...

Exclusive: True Brit Entertainment has acquired UK-Ireland rights from Anton to US filmmaker Zachary Wigon’s horror thriller Victorian Psycho.

The film will begin shooting on August 18 in the UK and Ireland, and stars Longlegs actor Maika Monroe alongside Jason Isaacs and Thomasin McKenzie.

It is set in Victorian England as an eccentric governess arrives at a remote gothic manor where strange happenings stir suspicion she is not what she seems.

Virginia Feito has adapted the script from her novel of the same name, released earlier this year.

Producers areDan Kagan for his Traffic banner, who also produced Longlegs, alongisde...

What if American Psychowas set in the Victorian era? Instead of a Wall Street man shooting guns and cocaine, picture a nineteenth-century governess assimilating into high society with a bloodthirsty agenda. The idea was powerful enough to launch a bestselling novel, Victorian Psycho, by author Virginia Feito in January of this year and now the film version is in the works as well. With a new iteration coming to the screen, there's no doubt that the '90s slasher film starring Christian Bale is still a popular masterpiece, but now it's inspired an unlikely mash-up.

Victorian Psycho's premise is almost as exciting as its newest cast additions, which include Maika Monroe and Jason Isaacs. Monroe will be replacing Margaret Qualley in the role of the psycho Winifred Notty, while Isaacs will be assuming the role of Mr. Pounds, the owner of the estate who employs the eccentric governess. With a script by Feito,...

Exclusive: The White Lotus and Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs is joining Maika Monroe and Thomasin McKenzie in psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho, which Anton is selling at the Cannes market.

Isaacs will be stepping into the role of Mr. Pounds, the owner of the estate who employs the young, eccentric governess Winifred Notty. Zachary Wigon directs from a script by author Virginia Feito, based on her novel in which Notty arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Her responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.

Pic is produced by Dan Kagan (Longlegs) under his Traffic. banner as well as Sébastien Raybaud...

Gold Derby's top news stories for May 16, 2025.

Ralph Fiennes to play President Snow in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Ralph Fiennes, coming off his Oscar-nominated turn in Conclave, has taken a major role in Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping. He will play President Coriolanus Snow, the authoritarian leader of Panem. The role was played as an older man by Donald Sutherland in the 2010s Hunger Games films and as a young man by Tom Blyth in prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This will of course be Fiennes' second time playing the iconic villain from a massively popular young adult book franchise; he previously played Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies. "We wanted to honor Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation’s greatest actors play President Snow 24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena," producer Nina Jacobson said in a statement announcing Fiennes' casting.

A reunion between “Sanctuary” director Zachary Wigon and Margaret Qualley (“The Substance”) has been cut short as Qualley has exited his upcoming horror flick “Victorian Psycho,” but has landed quite the replacement with “It Follows” and “Longlegs” actress Maika Monroe stepping in.

Deadline has revealed the casting switch-up as Monroe will co-star alongside Thomasin McKenzie from Edgar Wright‘s time-traveling psychological thriller “Last Night in Soho” and Taika Waititi‘s WWII-set dark comedy “Jojo Rabbit.”

Read More: ‘Anxious People’: Aimee Lou Wood Joins Angelina Jolie In Buzzy Holiday Hostage Flick Directed By Marc Forster

Monroe has taken the role of Winifred Notty, “a young, eccentric governess, who in 1858 arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House.

Continue reading ‘Victorian Psycho’: Maika Monroe Replaces Margaret Qualley In Gothic Horror Pic at The Playlist.

We weren't expecting this type of news, but it's definitely shaken things up. Maika Monroe, best known for her standout roles in modern horror hits like It Follows and Longlegs, is officially stepping in to lead the upcoming period horror thriller Victorian Psycho, following Margaret Qualley's unexpected exit from the project. In another surprising twist, A24, which previously agreed to handle the film’s domestic distribution, has reportedly dropped out of the project as well. We learned of this shocking news from Deadline.

Originally announced in October 2024, Victorian Psycho is an upcoming horror film adapted from Virginia Feito’s bestselling novel of the same name. The book was released in January 2025. Set in 1858, the movie follows Winifred Notty, a young governess who takes up residence at the remote and foreboding Ensor House. Entrusted with instilling proper etiquette in the children and teaching them about their ancestral legacy, Winifred carefully conceals her deeply disturbed nature.

Margaret Qualley was originally set to star in the psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho, but she dropped out of the project earlier this year, just before production was slated to begin. Deadline reports that a replacement has now been found. Maika Monroe (Longlegs) has stepped up to star in Victorian Psycho.

Victorian Psycho takes place in 1858, with Monroe playing Winifred Notty, a young, eccentric governess who “arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Her responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.” Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) will direct from a script by Virginia Feito, which is based on her novel of the same name.

Margaret Qualley (The Substance) had been set to star in the psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho for A24, but Deadline reports that Qualley has now exited the project.

In her place, Maika Monroe has stepped in to star. That’s pretty damn good news for horror fans. The bad news? With Qualley out, A24 also departed the project.

Deadline details, “Monroe takes on the lead role of the young, eccentric governess Winifred Notty, who in 1858 arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Her responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.”

Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho) will also star in Victorian Psycho,...

Maika Monroe is replacing Margaret Qualley in an adaptation of the novel thriller “Victorian Psycho.”

Qualley parted ways with “Victorian Psycho” mere weeks before filming was set to start in February. A24, which also boarded the project in its early days of development, has also quietly exited the feature and hasn’t been attached for a while, a source confirmed to IndieWire. With Monroe attached, “Victorian Psycho” will again be shopped at the Cannes market.

Qualley would’ve reunited with “Sanctuary” director Zachary Wigon, who is still attached to direct, as is co-star Thomasin McKenzie. Production was going to start in February 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. A representative confirmed to IndieWire that Qualley had a sudden scheduling conflict and had to exit the project. It’s now set to begin filming in August.

“Victorian Psycho” is set in 1858 and story centers on Winifred Notty, a governess hiding her psychopathic tendencies as...

The upcoming thriller Victorian Psycho has traded one scream queen for another. Deadline reports that Longlegs' Maika Monroe will now take the lead in the film, taking over from The Substance's Margaret Qualley. The film is also set to star Thomasin McKenzie.

No reason was given for Qualley's departure, but her recent success has made her an in-demand actor. This year alone, she is set to star in Blue Moon, Honey Don't!, and Happy Gilmore 2, with Huntington and The Dog Stars also in the works. Monroe is certainly a strong replacement. However, Longlegs is only the most recent entry in a horror resume that also includes It Follows and The Guest. Says director Zachary Wigon: "Maika’s intense screen presence has resonated with me over and over again throughout her history of complex performances. I’m absolutely thrilled for her to bring her unique style of psychological portraiture...

Longlegs and It Follows star Maika Monroe has replaced Margaret Qualley in psychological horror-thriller, Victorian Psycho, we can reveal, with Anton continuing to sell at the Cannes market.

Monroe takes on the lead role of the young, eccentric governess Winifred Notty, who in 1858 arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Her responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.

As previously announced, Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho) is also cast. Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) directs from a script by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), based on her novel of the same name. Production is being lined up to begin in August of this year.

Don’t call her Mary Poppins.

Maika Monroe has been cast as a killer governess in Victorian Psycho, a psychological horror thriller that Zachary Wigon will direct for production and financing outfit Anton.

Monroe joins Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho, JoJo Rabbit) in the production that previously had Margaret Qualley in the role of the governess.

The project adapts the best-selling book by Virginia Feito, who also wrote the script. Set in 1858, the story centers on a governess named Winifred Notty, hiding her psychopathic tendencies while arriving to work at a remote gothic manor. But as the woman takes care of her charges, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder, too late mind you, if their new governess is serving up a spoonful of sugar with a little arsenic on the side.

Dan Kagan is producing the feature, marking it the third time,...

We’ve been hearing that Margaret Qualley would be working with Sanctuary director Zachary Wigon again on the psychological horror thriller Victorian Psycho, which was scheduled to start filming this month. In late January, Qualley even confirmed that she was working on her British accent in preparation for the film. But now, industry scooper Jeff Sneider reports that Victorian Psycho has lost Qualley just days before it was supposed to go into production. Sneider first dropped this news on the podcast The Hot Mic, then shared it in his The InSneider newsletter as well. Sneider wrote, “I’m not sure why, though it’s possible that a scheduling issue (perhaps with Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars?) prevented her involvement.”

Now we’ll have to wait and see who ends up replacing Qualley as the Victorian Psycho, as Wigon is said to be “scrambling” to find a new star for his film.

Margaret Qualley has worked with the likes of Shane Black (The Nice Guys), Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness), and Ethan Cohen (Drive-Away Dolls), and she had a prominent role in Coralie Fargeat’s Oscar-nominated body horror film The Substance. She has more interesting collaborations ahead, as she has worked with Richard Linklater on the Lorenz Hart biopic Blue Moon (where she stars alongside Ethan Hawke), re-teamed with Ethan Cohen for Honey Don’t!, where she co-stars with Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, Billy Eichner, and Talia Ryder (Qualley plays a private investigator looking into a cult led by Evans), and will be working with Sanctuary director Zachary Wigon again on the psychological horror thriller Victorian Psycho. The Wigon film will be heading into production soon, and during an interview with IndieWire, Qualley confirmed that she’s working on her British accent.

Margaret Qualley is teasing just how “incredibly surreal” it was to star in a Richard Linklater film.

Qualley, who appears in Linklater’s upcoming Lorenz Hart biopic “Blue Moon,” told IndieWire that she has been trying to work with the auteur for more than a decade.

“I have been a longtime fan of Richard Linklater,” Qualley said. “I think I auditioned for him the first time 10 years ago.”

While Qualley only revealed that the film she auditioned for was in fact made, she did not say its title… although Linklater’s ’70s college-centric “Everybody Loves Some!!” was released in 2016.

Qualley’s admiration for Linklater was cemented with his 2014 feature “Boyhood,” which felt especially personal to Qualley as she was the same age as its lead character. Oscar-nominated “Boyhood” was filmed across 12 years, with Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette starring. The feature was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Don't expect a sequel to The Substance. Filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, who wrote and directed the hit 2024 horror movie, recently shared why there will not be a sequel.

Speaking with Variety, Fargeat explained that the whole point of The Substance was for more originality and not just a newer version of something old. "Oh no, oh no," she said with a laugh when asked about the chances of The Substance 2. "Like the point of this movie is to present fresh things to the world. No sequels, no prequels, no number two, number three. So I'm going to be so happy to bring something else fresh to the world in a bit."

Related These 2 New Movies Accidentally Tell the Same Story in Wildly Different Ways

Despite appearances, 2024's best horror film, The Substance, and best comedy, My Old Ass, actually have quite a bit in common on a thematic level.

#TheSubstance director...

Warning: The following contains minor spoilers for Babygirl, now playing in theatersFans of Babygirl have plenty of options to choose from in the erotic thriller sub-genre. The last film from Bodies Bodies Bodies director Halina Reijn has hit theaters, delivering a vulnerable performance from Nicole Kidman in this erotic thriller. Kidman's Romy, a rich, successful CEO, is unsatisfied with her sex life despite seemingly having it all. That all changes when she meets an intern willing to indulge in her repressed fantasies, thus leading to an affair that could cost her everything.

Nicole Kidman's erotic thriller has some viewers captivated. However, it's definitely proving to be an acquired taste. Babygirl's Rotten Tomatoes audience score is more divisive, highlighting how controversial the film's subject matter is. Either way, viewers may be wondering what other erotic thrillers they should check out afterward, and there are plenty to choose from, like the...

It's been a great year for actress Margaret Qualley. She starred in three big movies in 2024: Drive Away Dolls, directed by Ethan Cohen; the anthology film Kinds of Kindness from Yorgos Lanthimos; and The Substance, Coralie Fargeat's sophomore effort, which saw Qualley play a "younger, better" version of Demi Moore's Elisabeth. Next, Qualley will take the lead role in Victorian Psycho, starring alongside Thomasin McKenzie, which will be released by acclaimed indie banner A24.

Deadline reports that the project, first announced in October, will be distributed by A24 and is set to begin production in March 2025.

The plot synopsis reads:

In 1858, a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Winifred's responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family's history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House,...

Indie powerhouse A24 has just added a movie to its upcoming slate. It has purchased the U.S. rights to the horror-thriller Victorian Psycho. The Substance's Margaret Qualley leads the movie's cast. Thomasin Mckenzie (Last Night in Soho) will star alongside her.

Victorian Psycho is described as a psychological horror thriller. It is adapted from the upcoming novel of the same title by bestselling author Virginia Feito. Feito also wrote the movie's script, which Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) will be directing from. Producers are in the project include Dan Kagan (Longlegs), Sebastien Raybaud, and Wigon. Nick Shumaker and Bard Dorros are executive producing.

Set in 1858, the story follows Winifred Notty, a young governess who arrives at the isolated, gothic Ensor House. Tasked with teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, she hides her psychopathic tendencies from everyone. But as Winifred settles into her role, mysterious...

A24 sees a lot of promise in Victorian Psycho. The independent studio has pre-bought domestic rights to the upcoming horror movie ahead of its March 2025 production start.

Deadline was the first to report A24 acquiring domestic rights for Victorian Psycho, which will star Margaret Qualley, who wowed audiences around the globe earlier this year with her supporting role in The Substance. Victorian Psycho will be directed by Zachary Wigon, reuniting him with Qualley for the first time since his 2022 psychological thriller Sanctuary. The script was written by author Virginia Feito, based on her upcoming novel of the same name that is expected to be published in February 2025. Last Night in Soho actor Thomasin Mckenzie will also star in Victorian Psycho.

Related These 2 New Movies Accidentally Tell the Same Story in Wildly Different Ways

Despite appearances, 2024's best horror film, The Substance, and best comedy, My Old Ass, actually have quite...

Production is set to kick off early next year on the psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho, and Deadline reports that A24 has pre-bought domestic rights to the project.

Fresh off Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, which earned her a Golden Globes nomination, Margaret Qualley will star alongside Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho).

Set in 1958, the movie follows “a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) who arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House.”

“Winifred’s responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.”

Thomasin McKenzie will play a nursemaid who befriends the eccentric new Governess.

Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) is directing from a...

Horror fans should be drooling over this one. A24 has picked up the U.S. rights to “Victorian Psycho,” a horror-thriller film that will star “The Substance” actress Margaret Qualley and “Leave No Trace” actress Thomasin McKenzie, an individual with knowledge told IndieWire.

“Victorian Psycho” is a reunion between Qualley and “Sanctuary” director Zachary Wigon, who is directing the film based on an upcoming novel by author Virginia Feito (“Mrs. March”). Feito also wrote the script based on her book.

The horror pedigree doesn’t stop there, as “Longlegs” producer Dan Kagan is producing the film, as is “The Night House” producer Sebastien Raybaud. Wigon will also produce in association with Anonymous Content. Nick Shumaker and Bard Dorros will executive produce.

“Victorian Psycho” is, naturally, set in Victorian England and follows an eccentric governess who arrives at a remote gothic manor where strange happenings stir suspicion that she’s not what she seems.

Austin Butler may or may not be the new American Psycho, but while we wait to find out what’s going on with that situation, it is a sure thing that Butler’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood co-star Margaret Qualley is set to star in the psychological horror thriller Victorian Psycho, where she will be playing the title character. Today, Deadline has broken the news that A24 has acquired the domestic distribution rights to Victorian Psycho, which is scheduled to begin filming in March.

Zachary Wigon (The Heart Machine) will be directing the film from a screenplay written by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), based on her upcoming novel of the same name. This will be the second collaboration between Wigon and Qualley, as she also starred in his film Sanctuary.

Victorian Psycho has the following synopsis: In 1858, a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Margaret Qualley) arrives...

Exclusive: A24 has pre-bought domestic rights to buzzy horror package Victorian Psycho, which will star Margaret Qualley (The Substance) in the lead role alongside Thomasin Mckenzie (Leave No Trace).

As we revealed ahead of AFM, Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) directs from a script by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), based on her upcoming novel of the same name. Multiple U.S. buyers were keen on the project.

Set in Victorian England, the film sees an eccentric governess arrive at a remote gothic manor, where strange happenings stir suspicion that she’s not what she seems. Production is due to begin in March 2025.

Pic is produced by Dan Kagan (Longlegs) under his Traffic. banner as well as Sebastien Raybaud (Greenland) and Wigon, in association with Anonymous Content. Nick Shumaker and Bard Dorros will executive-produce.

This marks the second collaboration between Wigon and Qualley, following Wigon’s dominatrix thriller Sanctuary, which premiered at...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Margaret Qualley is one of the most talented and brilliant young actresses working in Hollywood right now. Born to actress Andie MacDowell, the actress, model, and dancer trained as a ballet dancer in her youth. She made her acting debut in 2013 with Gia Coppola‘s film Palo Alto. She recently starred in the hit satirical body horror film The Substance alongside Demi Moore. So, if you also love Qualley’s performances, here are the 10 best movies and TV shows starring Margaret Qualley.

10. My Salinger Year (AMC+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – IFC Films

My Salinger Year is a drama film written and directed by Philippe Falardeau. Based on the memoir of the same name by Joanna Rakoff, the 2020 film follows Joanna Rakoff, an aspiring writer working for literary agent Phyllis Westberg, as she receives some impactful personal advice from reclusive author J.D. Salinger.

Who’s joining Margaret Qualley on her next project with Zachary Wigon, “Victorian Psycho“? Deadline reports that Thomas McKenzie is the first name added on the upcoming psychological horror thriller’s cast sheet next to Qualley’s. It’s a good pickup for Wigon, too, as McKenzie’s work in “Eileen,” “The Power Of The Dog,” and elsewhere suggests she’ll fit well with the film’s general tone.

Continue reading Thomasin McKenzie Joins Margaret Qualley In Zachary Wigon’s Psychological Horror ‘Victorian Psycho’ at The Playlist.

Last month, it was announced that Margaret Qualley, star of the body horror film The Substance, had signed on to star in another genre project; the psychological horror thriller Victorian Psycho, where she will be playing the title character. Now, Deadline has revealed the name of Qualley’s first Victorian Psycho co-star: Thomasin McKenzie, whose previous credits include Old and Last Night in Soho.

Zachary Wigon (The Heart Machine) will be directing the film from a screenplay written by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), based on her upcoming novel of the same name. This will be the second collaboration between Wigon and Qualley, as she also starred in his film Sanctuary.

Victorian Psycho has the following synopsis: In 1858, a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Margaret Qualley) arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Winifred’s responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history,...

Last Night in Soho actor Thomasin McKenzie is set to star opposite The Substance‘s Margaret Qualley in upcoming psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho, Deadline reports today.

Production is set to begin in March 2025.

The 1958 set film “will follow a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) who arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Winifred’s responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.”

Thomasin McKenzie will play a nursemaid at Ensor House who befriends the eccentric new Governess.

The gothic horror film reunites Qualley with Sanctuary filmmaker Zachary Wigon, who is directing from a script by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March...

After captivating audiences with her mesmerizing performance in Last Night in Soho, Thomasin McKenzie is back with another intense, gripping role. She's set to join The Substance's Margaret Qualley in the upcoming psychological horror thriller Victorian Psycho. We first learned of this movie back in October, and it looks like things are coming right along.

Victorian Psycho is based on the upcoming novel of the same name by bestselling author Virginia Feito. Feito is also penning the script for the movie with Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) directing. Longlegs producer Dan Kagan will produce under his Traffic banner, along with Sebastien Raybaud and Wigon, in collaboration with Anonymous Content. Executive producers on the project include Nick Shumaker and Bard Dorros.

Additionally, Anton is fully financing the film as well as representing international rights and co-representing U.S. rights alongside UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance. The production, sales, and financing...

Exclusive: Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho) is set to star alongside Margaret Qualley in Victorian Psycho, the new psychological horror thriller reteaming Qualley with Zachary Wigon, who helmed her acclaimed Neon dominatrix thriller Sanctuary.

Recently introduced to buyers at AFM by Anton, which is representing international rights and co-repping domestic, in addition to fully financing the film, Victorian Psycho is based on the upcoming novel from bestselling author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), who adapted the screenplay.

The story is set in 1858, watching as an eccentric young governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Winifred’s responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Sanctuary is a psychological thriller directed by Zachary Wigon from a screenplay by Micah Bloomberg. Starring Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott in the lead role of a dominatrix and Hal, who is soon becoming the CEO of a large corporation and that’s why he wants to end his relationship with the dominatrix as he fears that it will come out later. This starts off a dark and twisted night that will leave you gasping for air. Sanctuary stars Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott. So, if you loved the intensely thrilling story, inappropriate relationships, and compelling characters in Sanctuary here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Secretary (Tubi & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Lions Gate Films

Secretary is an erotic romantic drama film directed by Steven Shainberg from a screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson. Based...

Like a veteran high roller playing the odds, indie film execs crowding the new Vegas venue at the Palms Casino for this year’s American Film Market are hedging their bets. The independent film business, a risky proposal at the best of times, has becoming increasingly precarious with theatrical releases an all-or-nothing proposal — the jackpot of Longlegs versus the bust of Borderlands and Megalopolis — and buyers hesitant to place their chips on anything that doesn’t look like a sure thing.

For indie movies at the AFM, that means a doubling down on genre films, particularly horror and action, and a move away from drama and comedy titles, which are considered riskier bets internationally.

“People are really focused on genre, even some of the smaller international sales companies are boosting their genre slates,” notes one U.S. seller. “Success has become impossible to predict and everyone is looking for anything that has a built-in audience.

After the success of The Substance, Margaret Qualley has now been cast in a new horror movie titled Victorian Psycho, and its an unexpected twist on one of Christian Bales most acclaimed but controversial movies. Margaret Qualley has had a successful couple of years with movies that have caught the eye of critics and audiences for various reasons. 2024, in particular, has been an important year in Qualleys career, with the release of Ethan Coens crime comedy Drive-Away Dolls, Yorgos Lanthimos absurdist anthology movie Kinds of Kindness, and Coralie Fargeats body horror The Substance.

In addition to those projects, Qualley also had a minor but memorable role in Lanthimos Poor Things in 2023, which was key in boosting her career. Qualley is still enjoying the success of The Substance, which proved to be a hit with critics and a moderate box-office success. Still, there has been a lot of praise for her performance as Sue,...

Screen Internationalis rounding up the key projects launched before and during this year’s American Film Market (AFM), which runsNovember 5-10 at thePalms Casino Resort.

Refresh the page for latest updates.

Misty Green

Chris Rock will direct and star in the story of a talented actress with a habit of getting in her own way. She is offered the role of a lifetime from a director. The only snag is they have history. FromMACRO Film Studios and Confluential Films.

Sales: Neon International

Paper Tiger

Adam Driver, Jeremy Strong and Anne Hathaway will star for James Gray in the crime drama,...

Some key players in the two of the year's biggest movies are joining forces for their next project, with The Substance star Margaret Qualley and Longlegs producer Dan Kagan teaming up for the Gothic horror movie Victorian Psycho. Qualley is hot off the success of Coralie Fargeats body-horror masterpiece which has gone on to become Mubis biggest theatrical release to date while the Kagan-produced Longlegs became the highest-grossing original horror movie of the year.

Zachary Wigon is set to direct Victorian Psycho, with the script penned by best-selling author Virginia Feito, whose upcoming novel the project is based on. This will be the second teaming for Wigon and Qualley, as the two previously worked together on the directors 2022 psychological thriller Sanctuary. Set in 1858, the film will follow Qualleys character as she settles into her new role as governess at a Gothic manor, while at the same time trying to keep her "psychopathic tendencies" at bay.

Margaret Qualley had several exciting roles in 2024 but nothing compared to the body horror The Substance. As the film received critical acclaim, Qualley couldn't stay away from the genre too long and has secured another role.

Per Deadline, Margaret Qualley will team up with Longlegs producer Dan Kagan for the upcoming psychological horror Victorian Psycho. Anton will launch the upcoming gothic horror at next week's American Film Market. Qualley has multiple roles lined up but, following the acclaim and Oscar buzz around The Substance, going back to horror is a win.

Related Happy Gilmore 2 Rounds Out Cast With Aew Wrestler & The Substance Star

The cast for Netflix's Happy Gilmore 2 continues to come together, with new additions including an Aew wrestler and one of the stars of The Substance.

The official log reads, "Set in 1858, the film will follow a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) who...

Following up Sasquatch Sunset, it was announced the Zellner Brothers would embark on the alien invasion comedy Alpha Gang led by Cate Blanchett. They’ve now amassed quite an ensemble, with Dave Bautista, Steven Yeun, Zoë Kravitz, Léa Seydoux, Riley Keough, and Channing Tatum all coming aboard the project, Deadline reports. Here’s the synopsis: Alpha Gang centers on a group of alien invaders sent to conquer Earth. Disguised in human form as a 1950s leather-clad biker gang, dubbed the Alpha Gang. They are ruthless in their mission, until they succumb to the most toxic and contagious human condition of all: emotions.”

Al Pacino has some new cast members for his next feature. Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, and Bryan Cranston have joined Barry Levinson’s mystery thriller Assassination, scripted by David Mamet. Deadline reports the film explores a new angle on the JFK conspiracy, “centering around Kilgallen (Chastain), one of...

Actress Margaret Qualley has signed on to play the leading role in the new Gothic horror film “Victorian Psycho.” The psychological thriller is based on an upcoming novel of the same name being published in early 2025. It will reunite Qualley with director Zachary Wigon, who she previously worked with on the acclaimed drama “Sanctuary.”

Set in 1858 England, the story follows Winifred Notty, a young governess hired to teach the children at the isolated Ensor House. As Notty adjusts to her new role, staff at the estate begin mysteriously disappearing. This raises suspicions about Notty’s character among the property’s owners.

The screenplay was written by Virginia Feito, the author of the source novel. In the film, Qualley will portray the eccentric and disturbed Notty. Speaking about the project, Qualley said she is excited to collaborate again with Wigon and explore the “twisted world” of the story. Wigon expressed enthusiasm...

Fresh off the critical acclaim of The Substance, Margaret Qualley finds her next film in a Gothic horror movie called Victorian Psycho, from one of the producers of Longlegs. Qualley began her career in 2013s Palo Alto before starring in The Nice Guys, which also starred Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. After her collaboration with Quentin Tarantino in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, however, her career began to skyrocket. She has since appeared in movies such as Poor Things and Sanctuary.

Qualley has found her next project in Victorian Psycho, a Gothic horror based on the upcoming novel of the same name by best-selling author Virginia Feito, who also penned the adaptations script. The film will be produced by Longlegs producer Dan Kagan and directed by Zachary Wigon. This will be the second collaboration between Qualley and Wigon, as she starred in Sanctuary, which premiered at TIFF in 2022, opening to rave reviews.

Forget the American Psycho remake discourse, it's time to focus on what really matters: Margaret Qualley starring in another movie from Sanctuary director Zachary Wigon and playing a psychopath who gets a job as a governess at a gothic manor in 1858.

Deadline announces that the upcoming horror-thriller movie will see Qualley playing the lead character, an eccentric young woman named Winifred Notty, who has "psychopathic tendencies." Winifred is tasked with tending to the homeowner's children and their education on their family's history. But when staff members start disappearing, the owners realize that something might be very wrong with their newest hire. The plot sounds a little like a reverse Turn of the Screw.

Regarding working with Wigon again after Sanctuary, Qualley says, "Working with Zach [Wigon] again feels like a rare gift, and I can’t wait to step into this twisted world he’s created.”

Wigon describes the character of...

American indie filmmaker Zachary Wigon (2014’s The Heart Machine and 2022’s Sanctuary) is not wasting time getting back into the saddle — Deadline reports that Wigon will re-team with Margaret Qualley for a book-to-film psychological horror-thriller project titled Victorian Psycho. Production is set to begin in March of next year and is backed by Traffic’s Dan Kagan with Wigon also producing alongside Sebastien Raybaud. Nick Shumaker also re-teams with Wigon as an executive-producer with Bard Dorros.

Based on author Virginia Feito’s upcoming novel, this is set in 1858, the film will follow a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) who arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House.…...

Margaret Qualley had a role in one of the most talked-about genre movies of the year, the body horror film The Substance, and now it has been announced that Qualley has signed on to star in another genre project. This one is the psychological horror thriller Victorian Psycho – and she will be playing the title character! Zachary Wigon (The Heart Machine) will be directing the film from a screenplay written by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), based on her upcoming novel of the same name. This will be the second collaboration between Wigon and Qualley, as she also starred in his film Sanctuary.

Victorian Psycho has the following synopsis: In 1858, a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Margaret Qualley) arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Winifred’s responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies.

The Substance star Margaret Qualley is sticking with horror a bit longer, as Deadline has announced that the actor is set to star in upcoming psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho.

Production is set to begin in March 2025, with sales launching ahead of next week’s American Film Market.

The 1958 set film “will follow a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) who arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Winifred’s responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.”

The gothic horror film reunites Qualley with Sanctuary filmmaker Zachary Wigon, who is directing from a script by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), based...

Exclusive: Fresh off acclaimed genre pic The Substance, Margaret Qualley has been set to star in psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho, which Anton is launching ahead of next week’s American Film Market.

It’s a strong premise for the in-demand Qualley. Set in 1858, the film will follow a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) who arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Winifred’s responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.

Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) is directing from a script by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), based on her upcoming novel of the same name. Production is set to begin in...

Buckle up and get ready to hit the road with two young women who’ve stumbled upon a mysterious briefcase full of trouble! A new Drive-Away Dolls trailer is barreling down the information highway today, with plenty of kooky characters hitchhiking aboard the new comedy co-written by husband and wife duo Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke.

The Ethan Coen-directed comedy revolves around Jamie (Margaret Qualley), an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her timid friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.

Beanie Feldstein, Pedro Pascal, Colman Domingo, Bill Camp, and Matt Damon join Qualley and Viswanathan for Coen and Cooke’s unique crime caper, with Focus Features handling domestic distribution.

The erotic thriller is back, and you'd have to be a prudish killjoy to lament its return.

The subgenre has its roots in the pre-code movies of the 1920s, and '30s, and films noir of the '40s and '50s, but the formula as it exists today was codified in 1980 with Paul Schrader's "American Gigolo" and, most vitally, Brian De Palma's "Dressed to Kill". And thanks to Karina Longworth's deep dive into best and worst of the subgenre via her indispensable podcast "You Must Remember This," younger viewers who weren't there for the '80s and '90s heyday are now revisiting the stylish highs and Skinemax lows of films in which people occasionally take a break from screwing to commit a string of murders (or investigate said murders with alarming aloofness).

As movies (especially studio productions) got progressively less sexy throughout the 2000s, the...

Sanctuary is a psychological thriller directed by Zachary Wigon from a screenplay by Micah Bloomberg. Starring Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott in the lead role of a dominatrix and Hal, who is soon becoming a CEO of a large corporation and that’s why he wants to end his relationship with the dominatrix as he fears that it will come out later. This starts off a dark and twisted night that will leave you gasping for air. So, if you loved Sanctuary here are some similar movies you could watch next.

Secretary (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Lions Gate Films

Synopsis: Before Fifty Shades Of Grey, there was Secretary. James Spader leads this sexy and daring comedy as the original Mr. Grey, a seemingly normal lawyer whose relationship with his new secretary (Maggie Gyllenhaal) descends into a kinky affair that would give nightmares to any human resource director!

Eyes Wide Shut...

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

Bottoms (Emma Seligman)

It’s beginning to feel like South By Southwest is the Rachel Sennott Festival. After breaking out there three years ago with Shiva Baby (the movie premiered as a short in 2018 and would have again as a feature in 2020 if not for the pandemic), she made waves last year in Austin with sleeper horror hit Bodies Bodies Bodies. Now Sennott’s back with Bottoms, one of two new movies she’s headlining this week, and which adopts many characteristics of an SXSW offering: it’s gay, it’s bloody, and it’s horny. – Jake K. (full review)

Where to Stream: VOD

Cassandro (Roger Ross Williams)

Rather than reverting to a traditional biopic structure––i.e. a greatest hits (and...