PG: PSYCHO GOREMAN (2020)

Psycho Goreman (2020)
Directed by: Steven Kostanski
Written by: Steven Kostanski
Starring: Adam Brooks, Alex Chung, Alexis Kara Hancey, Anna Tierney, Kristen MacCulloch, Matthew Ninaber, Nita-Josee Hanna, Owen Myre, Robert Homer, Scout Flint, Steven Vlahos

PG: PSYCHO GOREMAN (2020)
Written and Directed by Steven Kostanski
Streaming on Shudder from 20th May 2021

Mimi and her brother Luke accidentally unleash a demonic monster buried in their backyard that is hellbent on universal destruction. However, with the creature’s magical amulet in her possession, Mimi forces the demonic overlord to follow her every command, but how long can they avoid the fury of this sadistic force?

Meanwhile, across the universe, the Templar and the council of alien leaders, who’s planets fell prey to the evil overlord,  discover that the fearsome monster they imprisoned has been released from his bonds and plan to sort him out once and for all.

No matter how old you get, if you’re a big kid like me, you’ll still have a soft spot for kiddy horrors – the ones where juniors have to fight a big bad or some sort of threat to survive and/or save the world. Fine examples of these are The Gate, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie and Jumanji, and now we can add sci-fi horror PSYCHO GOREMAN to the mix. However, unlike most of these films, PSYCHO GOREMAN is definitely not made for children! With a fearsome, demonic creature taking the titular lead, who thrives on bloodshed and fear, you wouldn’t want to sit your little ones in front of this flick unless you want them living in perpetual fear of the boogeyman for the rest of their childhood.

Steven Vlahos voices and Matthew Ninaber stars as the unnamed creature from the planet Gigax, who’s been released from his prison by Mimi (Nita-Josee Hanna) and Luke (Owen Myre), and is planning to continue his quest for death and destruction. The only thing holding him back from decimating any living thing he comes across on planet Earth is a powerful gemstone which helped to keep him imprisoned underground. Whoever holds the gemstone has control of him and he must do as they wish. Unfortunately for the neighbourhood, it’s Mimi who’s claimed the gem, leaving the deadly alien overlord, and everyone around her, at Mimi’s mercy. That doesn’t sound such a bad deal, but you haven’t met the brattish, ballsy Mimi! Having to do everything that Mimi requests provides plenty of amusement but the best has to be the interactions between the creature and everyone else around Mimi, such as Luke’s friend Alasdair, Mimi and Luke’s parents and even the local police force.

You’d think that witnessing people being ripped apart and turned inside out would scare the living bejesus out of these youngsters, but it seems Generation Z have likely seen worse on the internet. The unphased youngsters are ignorant to the creature’s sinister threats and Sith-like death grip, and decide to treat him like any other human being in need of a friend. But first, he needs a name. After a back and forth, unable to decide on a suitable moniker, they mash two of their top choices together and call him Psycho Goreman, or PG for short.

If you grew up in 80’s or 90’s, you’ll likely fall in love with this nostalgic masterpiece. Backed with a rocking soundtrack with squealing electric guitars and a splash of synth, PSYCHO GOREMAN is a dream come true for this film fan. I had the biggest grin plastered across my face throughout the entire running time of the film. Its dark humour combined with a rebellious, bloodthirsty attitude had me enthralled from start to finish. But what I loved most of all about this film is the reliance on practical FX. PSYCHO GOREMAN‘s creatures and FX is where it really comes alive and backs up my theory that nothing can truly beat that feeling seeing practical FX on screen. First off, we have the creatures. Reminiscent of the djinn from Wishmaster or the creature in Jeepers Creepers, PG is a sight to behold. He looks every inch as frightening as the threats he makes, and that’s before he showcases his Predator-like gnashers. He’s not the only creature to feature though. Having history with aliens from other planets in which he wreaked havoc, there’s a whole host of wonderfully quirky designed species to behold with a backstory to boot. Away from the costume and creature design, the fight scenes and killings within the movie are absolute eye-candy for any horror fan, in particular those where the fallen receive a hero’s death.

Hilariously outlandish and enthusiastically entertaining in every sense of the word, PSYCHO GOREMAN is a gory, violent delight.

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