Looking for a blend of pitch-dark humor, stylish horror, atmospheric visuals and a distinctly Victorian England flavor? Look no further than Victorian Psycho, the latest genre-bending film from director Zachary Wigon. Adapted from Virginia Feito’s 2025 novel of the same name, with Feito also penning the screenplay, the film follows Winifred Notty, an eccentric governess who seems to bring darkness wherever she goes — including her latest position at Ensor House.
The cast of Victorian Psycho includes Maika Monroe, Jason Isaacs, Ruth Wilson, Thomasin McKenzie, Jacobi Jupe, Evie Templeton and Amy De Bhrún.
Now in theaters, it’s the perfect time to get to know the cast and characters of what may be one of the strangest films you’ll see all year. We won’t spoil the surprises, though. Trust us, Victorian Psycho is the kind of wild ride that’s best experienced with as little prior knowledge as possible.
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What Is ‘Victorian Psycho’ About?
Set in 1858 Victorian England, Victorian Psycho follows Winifred Notty (note the last name), a young governess who arrives at the remote Gothic manor of Ensor House to care for the children of the wealthy Pounds family. At first glance, Ms. Notty appears to be an ordinary governess, but it doesn’t take long to discover that beneath her exterior lies a much darker and more disturbing side, one she’s not particularly good at keeping hidden.
As strange happenings and mysterious disappearances begin to plague the household, questions arise about Winifred’s true intentions. Why has she really come to Ensor House, what is she after and just how far will she go to get it?
Is ‘Victorian Psycho’ Based on a Book?
Yes! Victorian Psycho is based on Virginia Feito’s 2025 horror novel of the same name. Feito also adapted her own book for the film’s screenplay, bringing her twisted Gothic tale to the big screen.
‘Victorian Psycho’ Cast & Characters
Here are the main characters of Victorian Psycho, along with the actors who play them.
Maika Monroe as Winifred Notty
Known For: It Follows (2014), Watcher (2022), Longlegs (2024)
Victorian Psycho centers on Winifred Notty (Maika Monroe), a strange young woman who comes to Ensor House to take up the position of governess to the Pounds children. Her main role in the home is to teach the children, both in their studies as well as how to behave. That said, her behavior is anything but exemplary, and she has a rather unconventional approach to her new position.
Beyond the facade of a typical young woman is a much darker side to her personality, one she refers to as “Fred.” The two sides of her nature don’t exactly stay separate, though, and “Fred” often pops up unannounced. She attempts to maintain the appearance of a respectable governess, but her increasingly disturbing behavior makes it difficult to keep her more sinister impulses under wraps. Thankfully for her, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Pounds is too concerned with their children anyway.
Monroe, who has become one of modern horror’s recognizable faces thanks to films like It Follows and Longlegs, gets to explore a different side of her acting range here. Winifred is equal parts mischievous, unsettling and completely unpredictable, making her a character you won’t soon forget.
Jason Isaacs as Mr. Pounds
Known For: The Patriot (2000), Harry Potter film series (2002–2011), The White Lotus (2025)
Mr. Pounds is the wealthy patriarch of the family that owns Ensor House and Winifred’s new employer. He’s an overly confident, self-important man who takes considerable pride in his social standing in Victorian society as well as his intellectual pursuits.
Among his particular interests is phrenology, the pseudoscience of determining a person’s intelligence and personality through the shape and measurements of their skull. He even goes so far as taking a special interest in Winifred’s skull after he discovers their measurements are nearly identical. He interprets this as a sign of a special connection between them, although his enthusiasm for the pseudoscience says quite a bit about his own vanity and questionable judgment.
Like much of the upper-class world depicted in Victorian Psycho, Mr. Pounds represents the privileges and absurdities of Victorian aristocratic society. He’s particularly invested in his family legacy, with his son Andrew occupying an especially important place in that future. But the family’s carefully maintained appearance of respectability starts to unravel after Winifred’s arrival.
Isaacs has played plenty of imposing authority figures and memorable villains during his career. Audiences may recognize him as Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter films, Colonel William Tavington in The Patriot or from his more recent role in the third season of The White Lotus.
Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Pounds
Known For: Jane Eyre (2006), Luther (2010–2019), The Affair (2014–2018), His Dark Materials (2019–2022)
As the lady of Ensor House, Mrs. Pounds is responsible for running the household and maintaining the family’s social standing. While she and her husband have two children, she doesn’t care much for them — emotionally or literally. Much of their day-to-day care falls to the household staff, leaving Mrs. Pounds to focus on the expectations and obligations of upper-class Victorian society.
Mrs. Pounds is a product of her time, living within a world where women’s roles are tightly defined by marriage, family and social expectations. Her carefully maintained domestic world becomes increasingly unsettled by Winifred’s arrival, particularly as her husband’s interest in the new governess begins to grow.
Wilson is perhaps best known to television audiences for playing the brilliant and unsettling Alice Morgan in the BBC crime drama Luther and Alison Lockhart in The Affair. She also starred as the formidable Mrs. Coulter in HBO’s adaptation of His Dark Materials.
Thomasin McKenzie as Miss Lamb
Known For: Leave No Trace (2018), Jojo Rabbit (2019), Last Night in Soho (2021)
Miss Lamb is a quiet nurse at Ensor House who helps care for Andrew, Drusilla and the Pounds family’s infant. Gentle and compassionate, she’s one of the more sympathetic figures in Winifred’s new surroundings and even makes an effort to befriend the new governess.
However, Miss Lamb’s trusting nature may also be her downfall. She doesn’t immediately recognize just how unusual Winifred really is. Her kindness and apparent innocence become an interesting contrast to the darker personalities taking shape around the manor.
McKenzie first earned widespread recognition for her performance in Leave No Trace, followed by memorable roles in Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit and Edgar Wright’s psychological horror film Last Night in Soho.
Jacobi Jupe as Andrew Pounds
Known For: Peter Pan & Wendy (2023), Before (2024), Hamnet (2025)
Andrew is the young son and heir of Mr. and Mrs. Pounds. As the only boy in the family, he’s automatically treated as the favorite child, receiving the attention and privileges his parents believe befit a young gentleman of their social standing. As Winifred’s new student, he’s expected to receive an education worthy of his family’s name.
Unsurprisingly, Andrew’s privileged upbringing has done little to instill good manners. He’s a careless, unkind boy who frequently ignores or belittles Winifred during their lessons. His attitude toward both the new governess and his sister, Drusilla, reflects the unequal expectations placed on boys and girls in Victorian society. With Winifred now responsible for his education, however, Andrew may be in for some unexpected lessons.
Jupe has already made a name for himself with roles in Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy and the Apple TV+ psychological thriller Before. He also played the title character in Chloé Zhao’s acclaimed 2025 film Hamnet.
Evie Templeton as Drusilla Pounds
Known For: Life After Life (2022), Lord of Misrule (2023), Wednesday (2025)
Drusilla is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pounds and Andrew’s younger sister. Despite belonging to the same wealthy family, she receives far less attention and affection than her brother. Her parents are much more invested in Andrew’s education and future, leaving Drusilla eager to grow up and take on the responsibilities expected of a young Victorian lady.
Drusilla has a sharp, fiery personality, making her an interesting addition to Winifred’s new responsibilities. With an unconventional governess now overseeing her education, Drusilla may get to gain experience in more than just sewing and playing the pianoforte.
Templeton has appeared in a number of dark and fantastical projects, including the folk horror film Lord of Misrule and the supernatural series Wednesday, in which she plays Agnes DeMille.
Amy De Bhrún as Mrs. Fancey
Known For: Jason Bourne (2016), Line of Duty (2019–2021), Small Things Like These (2024), Borderline (2024)
Mrs. Fancey is one of the society women who enters the world of Ensor House, offering another glimpse into the privileged social circles surrounding the Pounds family. Like many of the wealthy visitors who pass through the manor, she brings her own expectations about status, manners and the proper order of Victorian society.
Her presence adds to the film’s satirical take on upper-class England, where appearances and social standing often seem to matter far more than the people embodying them.
Irish actress De Bhrún has appeared in several film and television productions, including the action thriller Jason Bourne, the BBC crime drama Line of Duty and the Irish period drama Small Things Like These. She also starred in the crime series Borderline.
Watch Horror Movies on DIRECTV
Victorian Psycho opened in theaters on November 13, 2026, but you don’t have to wait for its release to get your next dose of horror. DIRECTV has plenty of horror movies available to watch right now, from classic slashers to fresh genre hybrids. With a wide range of titles and packages to choose from, there’s something for every kind of horror fan.
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Frequently asked questions
Who Is in the Cast of Victorian Psycho?
Who Plays Winifred Notty in Victorian Psycho?
Is Victorian Psycho Based on a Book?
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