Gothic horror comedy featuring an unhinged governess who’s a far cry from Mary Poppins.
The year is 1858. Winifred Notty arrives at Ensor House to take up her new post as governess to the Pounds family. She’s to tutor Andrew, the spoiled young heir, and perhaps his neglected sister Drusilla too. But Winifred has very different intentions.
Director Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) based this delightfully dark satire on the novel of the same name by Virginia Feito, who also wrote the screenplay. The entire story takes place inside an atmospheric manor, full of nods to gothic horror: ominous portraits, stuffed animals, flickering candles and long, shadowy hallways. Scream queen Maika Monroe (It Follows, Longlegs) isn’t the victim this time, but a great female villain, shamelessly taking on the patriarchy. Her Victorian take on Patrick Bateman – complete with nervous tics and sinister smirks – wages a bloody class war against her wealthy employers, played by British stars Jason Isaacs and Ruth Wilson. How delightful!
