A new entry in the classic serial-killer thriller mold
If you’ve been craving a tightly wound serial-killer thriller, Psycho Killer aims to deliver. Directed by longtime producer Gavin Polone in his feature-length directorial debut, the film leans into the procedural dread and psychological intensity that defined classics like The Silence of the Lambs while tapping into more recent, visceral entries in the genre. It arrives in theaters from 20th Century Studios on February 20 and runs roughly 92 minutes.
The sneak peek: a routine stop becomes personal
Collider has released an exclusive sneak peek that sets the film’s central alarm bells ringing. In the scene, Georgina Campbell’s character—an on-duty police officer named Jane—turns her cruiser around after a fellow officer stops a black sports car. As she radios dispatch to check details on an interstate homicide investigation, the toll of violence becomes immediate: the stopped officer is yanked into the suspect’s window and shot. The shooter flees, leaving Jane to process the horror and the shock of an act that will propel the rest of the film.
From procedural tragedy to a hunt for truth
That traffic-stop killing is not simply a beat of incidental brutality. The fallen officer is revealed to be intimately connected to Jane—what follows is equal parts personal quest and professional pursuit. Throughout Psycho Killer, Jane wrestles with grief and obsession as she chases the person responsible, driven both by a need for justice and a fear of preventing another tragedy. The film blends slasher-style immediacy with a detective’s search for answers.
Georgina Campbell and the supporting cast
Georgina Campbell, who gained attention for her work in Barbarian, anchors the cast as Jane. She’s joined by:
- James Preston Rogers
- Malcolm McDowell
- Grace Dove
- Logan Miller
The ensemble mixes rising talent and established character actors, suggesting a film that balances intimate, character-driven moments with high-stakes suspense.
Creative pedigree behind the camera
Psycho Killer is written by Andrew Kevin Walker, the screenwriter behind genre touchstones such as Se7en and other notable thrillers. Walker’s involvement signals a script that prioritizes mood, meticulous plotting, and psychological edge. Producer-turned-director Gavin Polone brings decades of industry experience—he has produced films including Drop Dead Gorgeous, Panic Room, and Zombieland—which informs his move behind the camera for this project.
Producers on Psycho Killer include Andrew Kevin Walker, Matt Berenson, Roy Lee, and Arnon Milchan. The film is distributed by 20th Century Studios and carries an R rating.
What to expect tonally and for viewers
Psycho Killer positions itself at the intersection of gritty police procedural and visceral horror. Viewers can expect:
- A tension-driven narrative that centers a grieving investigator
- Moments of sudden, brutal violence balanced with methodical detective work
- A compact runtime that keeps the story focused and fast-paced
Fans of suspenseful, character-led thrillers and contemporary slasher-inflected fare will likely find the film satisfying.
Release details
Psycho Killer opens in U.S. theaters on February 20. Runtime is listed at approximately 92 minutes, and the film is rated R.
See the exclusive sneak peek and plan a theater visit if you’re in the mood for a tightly wound, high-stakes thriller this late Valentine’s Day season.