There are all kinds of movies out there for vastly different audiences. Psycho Goreman is definitely not for everyone, but it’s throwback a B-movie masterpiece that’s a hell of a lot of fun.
There is a clear Power Rangers kinda vibe with the ancient gem that awakens a space-monster and people in rubber suits thing. It also reminded me of one of my childhood favorites, 1975’s Infra-Man (aka Chinese Superman). I used to repeatedly rent that VHS from Blockbuster and watch it over and over. It’s campy and low-budget, but leaning into that heritage of film making is a big part of what makes PG so endearing.
The fantastic script by writer/director Steven Kostanski is truly what sets it apart and allows it to transcend its station. Even though the subject matter is ridiculous, the dialogue is smart, funny, and surprisingly big-hearted. Unlike the majority of movies of the Tokusatsu ilk, Kostanski’s story is ultimately about the kinds of bonds that make families…space monster or not.
The story is geared towards adults even though the protagonists are adolescent kids and their sibling rivalry drives the whole thing. Nita-Josee Hanna is incredible and she handles the humor with maturity beyond her years. It’s rare to see child actors handle the nuance of sarcasm, but she nailed it. This might not be the movie that launches her career but, watching this performance, it’s easy to see she’s going to be a star. Steven Vlahos (voice) and Matthew Ninaber came through in a big way as the titular character. Even with all the costumes and prosthetics, Ninaber’s body language is spot-on and Vlahos drives it home with inflection. So much of this movie hinges on those two lead roles and they were both great. Kostanski did a masterful job putting his performers in a position to succeed considering it was going to be an uphill battle.
While it’s undoubtedly on the lower end when it came to the budget, the costumes, creature design, and practical effects were all done well. It’s meant to be campy and it delivers on that front while still being effective when needed, so the makeup and effects team deserve shout outs for their hand in the movie’s warm reception.
I’ve seen enough crappy, low-budget horror movies to know that making a good one isn’t as easy as it looks…or at least it isn’t common. This is an instance where the filmmakers subverted genre norms and far exceeded expectations.
Recommendation: If you can get past the introductory elements, it’s actually really cute, smartly executed, and just plain fun.