From the producers behind some of the most unforgettable nightmares in modern cinema comes Psycho Killer, a chilling new thriller aiming to introduce a fresh slasher icon. In an exclusive conversation, star Georgina Campbell and producer Roy Lee opened up about what drew them to the project, how the film flips the “final girl” trope, and where horror is heading in 2026.
For Campbell, reuniting with Roy Lee after their work on Barbarian was a major factor in joining the film. “Definitely getting to work with Roy again,” she said. “He was a producer on Barbarian, and I was really excited to collaborate again because I think he’s incredible.” But it was the script that truly sealed the deal. Written by Andrew Kevin Walker, the screenplay immediately stood out. “I’m such a fan of Se7en,” Campbell explained. “Reading this script, I thought it was so disturbing and strange in the best way.” She recalled being pitched the film through a detailed presentation that showcased its tone and visual style. “They got me immediately,” she said.
In Psycho Killer, Campbell plays Jane, a police officer determined to stop a brutal murderer. Unlike many horror heroines who spend most of the story trying to survive, Jane runs toward the danger. “She’s in control to an extent,” Campbell explained. “She has the skills and the ability to take this killer down. In lots of horror movies, the final girl is trying to escape. Here, she’s going out there to stop him.” The film adds another layer of tension when Jane discovers she is pregnant. Rather than retreating, she pushes forward. “That’s an interesting question Andrew poses in a nuanced way,” Campbell said. “She’s dealing with being pregnant should she step back and protect her body and her child, or go after him? I think she makes the right choice. By stopping him, she’s also protecting her child.”
RELATED: Like Mother, Like Daughter- Scream 7
While horror often requires actors to react to things that aren’t physically present, Campbell said this production was grounded in realism. “Everything was there. It was real people. James was there. I didn’t have to pretend much.” What she didn’t anticipate, however, was the physical challenge of filming in Winnipeg. “It was freezing,” she said with a laugh. “The crew were in ski suits and ski masks, and I was not wearing enough. There were sequences where my hands were shaking so badly I could barely talk. That was tougher than I expected physically more than emotionally.”
RELATED: ReelShort’s The Vampire Prince’s Bride Redefines Storytelling with Vertical Film Format
Lee, whose producing credits include The Ring, The Strangers, and It, said he approaches each project by asking a simple question: would he want to see it himself? “I judge each project based on the screenplay,” Lee explained. “When I read Andy’s script, it felt like if I saw this realized as a film, I would really appreciate it.” He believes Psycho Killer has the potential to introduce a new slasher icon something the genre hasn’t seen in quite some time. “We’ve had the classic characters from Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. More recently, you’ve had Pennywise from It. But we haven’t had a truly new slasher character in a while. This is trying to be new and unique. If I were in high school, I’d get all my friends together to see this.”
Campbell also reflected on the direction horror seems to be taking. “I feel like the movies doing well right now are the ones that are fun,” she said. “There was a wave of trauma horror starting around Hereditary but now audiences want to be scared and also have an enjoyable time.” She pointed to films like Barbarian that balance dread with entertainment, giving audiences both adrenaline and excitement. As for stepping into another franchise herself, Campbell admitted she’d gladly return to Barbarian “mostly to flirt with Bill Skarsgård,” she joked but she also expressed admiration for It Follows, adding that she would jump at the chance to be part of that world.
Beyond horror, Lee is also helping expand beloved properties like How to Train Your Dragon into live-action storytelling. He believes evolving nostalgic characters requires balance. “The animated sequel hit that balance really well,” he said. “With the same core creative team and leads involved, it’s about honoring what people loved while bringing something new visually and emotionally.” With Psycho Killer, Campbell and Lee are betting that audiences are ready for a new face of fear one rooted in character, elevated by craft, and bold enough to carve out its own legacy in horror history.
