‘Psycho Goreman’ is the Bloody Sci-Fi Movie I Wish I’d Seen Growing Up
Psycho Goreman is a nostalgic sci-fi horror story about a murderous monster and the maniacal little girl who controls him.
Mimi and her brother Luke are playing their favorite made-up game when they unearth a glowing stone. Turns out, the stone controls a bloodthirsty monster who’s hellbent on destroying the earth. Too bad he’s at the beck and call of the world’s sassiest little girl.
This moderate-budget moment was brought to you by Steven Kostanski (The Void). It features the debut of Nita-Josée Hanna as Mimi, Owen Myre as her brother Luke, and Matthew Ninabar as the suit; and Steven Vlahos as the voice of Psycho Goreman. Adam Brooks (Greg) and Alexis Kara Hancey (Stacy) play the kids’ parents, rounding out this weird and endearing family.
This review of ‘Psycho Goreman’ contains some minor spoilers, and if you don’t like you can “frick off”!
Who the Hell is Psycho Goreman?
This alien overlord is bent on war and destruction. He fancies himself a real artist when it comes to the mutilation of all life forms – and bless that because the special effects here are a bloody delight. Of course, he has a kind of soul-gem that gives him strength. And of course, it’s found by a little girl with more attitude per square inch than you’ll find anywhere else in the galaxy.
Psycho Goreman does get a backstory – and what makes it good is that it’s constantly interrupted by Mimi, who is always making it clear that she’s the main character. The film constantly pulls from frequently-used sci-fi story elements, but through Mimi, lovingly makes fun of them.
Mimi & Her Family
At its bloody, meaty heart, this movie is a family film. Well, it’s structured around a family anyway. The overworked mother and the undermotivated dad are both charming, and they’re actively involved in the story, which is a breakaway from the 90s kid-adventure movie tradition.
Luke, Mimi’s older brother, is a conscientious and sensitive boy who, like his mother, is a creature of reason. And his character is played perfectly by Owen Myre. While Mimi’s character is always announcing herself as the focal point, Luke’s character is well defined and serves as a great foil to his little sister’s giant personality.
As for Mimi herself, Nita-Josée Hanna and the film’s script deliver a loud, attention-seeking little girl with comedy and affection. When it comes to the personality of young girls, a lot of content made by men can belittle that experience. I would lovingly describe Mimi as a brilliant brat – she’s the boss in her family for a reason. She learns and grows as a person without sanitizing her.
Overall, the family dynamic is one of my favorite aspects of this movie. There’s a lot of character balancing catalyzed but this bloodthirsty monster, and it’s wholesome. I mean, the whole climax of the movie is decided over a game of Crazy Ball.
Easter Eggs & Special Effects
But enough about the feelings! Let’s get to the gore. I mean, it’s in the name, so you have to know you’re getting a whole lot of squish noises.
If you grew up watching Power Rangers or the (original) live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, the makeup and costuming in Psycho Goreman is gonna feel like a refreshing blast of Capri-Sun right to your nostalgia parts. But if your Capri-Sun also had lots of fake blood, guts, and body parts in it.
The Templar warrior Pandora, courtesy of Raven Banner Entertainment
The members of the Planetary Alliance (plus Pandora’s blood-jell-o cube trick) illustrate the 1990s sci-fi roots of the film. And Psycho Goreman’s battle with the Paladins of Sidian leans into the horror aspect and turns the volume (of blood) all the way up to 11.
I wanted to get choked up at the fates of the melted-face cop and poor little Alistair (that’s actually the director waddling around in that giant brain costume). But the effects were so over-the-top and silly that it was all just glee.
And Psycho Goreman also turned in his own looks. Apart from the extensive P.G. costume itself, one of his costumes is a costume tribute to Sam Neill in Jurassic Park.
Psycho Goreman: Overall
It’s hard for a modern film to deliver the nostalgic VHS-vibes of the Gen-X and Elder Millennial childhood experience. So often, plot and romanticization can turn out a disingenuous final product. Psycho Goreman absolutely nails the vibe with its over-the-top gore, sound editing, and its dismissive treatment of the finer plot points.
Galactic politics give way to excessive violence but at the center of the tale is a loving family. The fate of the whole world? Who cares? This is the movie I wish I’d had growing up, and it very much feels like the kind of terrifying kids’ movies that shaped us growing up. I’m not saying this movie is for kids, not not saying it’s for kids. Look at us! We turned out fine!
