Film Review: “PG: Psycho Goreman” Owns Its Ridiculousness and the Result Is Extraordinary

PG: Psycho Goreman (Steven Kostanski, 2020) 3 out of 4 stars.

PG: Psycho Goreman, by Steven Kostanski (The Void), may be very much grounded in the vein of hypotheticals and debauchery, making very little sesame at all times, but the true charm of the film is its ability to own this sense of silliness and mesh it hilariously with blood and gore to create a wildly entertaining adventure story. It fully embraces the somehow cohesive combination of horror and comedy in the form of an all-powerful killer alien controlled by an angsty little girl. While it may be a load of bull by the end, it’s a fun, funny and often frightening film, and delivers exactly what is to be expected.

PG: Psycho Goreman tells the tale of a legendary alien known for destruction and chaos who crash-lands on Earth thousands of years before mankind, locked in an ancient prison. Hailed as the destroyer of worlds, this creature is sure to bring certain doom to any inhabited planets it touches. But when a little girl and her brother unleash the monster (and gain full control of him through a pendant attached to his lifeforce), the galaxy’s deadliest being is at the mercy of the young duo, and their whimsical, playful acts.

Very little of PG: Psycho Goreman actually makes sense, erring on the side of senseless sequences, an over-the-top premise, and often uninspired dialogue. This creates a sense of imperfection from time to time, as the viewer is pulled out of the movie and forced to recognize how cheesy PG: Psycho Goreman truly is. However, from the very first sequence, Kostanski utilizes improvised dialogue, spoken with excellent comedic timing, and even finds a way to blend gory imagery and laughs together in ways that, while insensible, are extremely enjoyable and quick-witted. It also helps that the film has an 1980s throwback feel while avoiding too much of that style’s overuse.

PG: Psycho Goreman also vastly impressed and amused me with its surprisingly well-designed practical effects, most of which are based around extensive costume design and old-school stop motion. While the film may be light on socio-cultural meaning (or any meaning whatsoever), it clearly sets out to be pure entertainment, be it through violent action and horror or the humor of an 8-year-old. The unique combination of gore, science fiction and light-hearted playfulness makes you laugh, cringe, and drop your jaw, quite possibly all at the same time. Even though the average viewer will shake their head at the concept and premise, giving this film a chance (for those who aren’t squeamish) is without a doubt worth it!

Adam Vaughn

Adam Vaughn is a graduate of the Film & Moving Image program at Stevenson University, with a focus in Cinematography and Production. He also has a minor in Theater and Media Performance. Adam works as a freelance photographer and videographer, focusing his craft on creating compelling photographic and cinematic imagery. Adam is excited to join the Film Festival Today team and explore the world of cinema and visual arts.