Psycho Killer is seeing a significant boost in popularity following its streaming debut. Despite earning largely negative reviews during its theatrical run, the R-rated horror thriller has emerged as one of Hulu’s most-watched movies. The unexpected streaming success suggests the film is finding a much larger audience after leaving theaters.
Psycho Killer tops Hulu movie charts
Psycho Killer may have struggled with critics, but the horror movie is proving to be a surprise streaming hit. The R-rated film has quickly risen through Hulu’s rankings, attracting significant viewership after arriving on the platform.
According to FlixPatrol, the movie claimed the No. 1 position on Hulu’s Top 10 Movies chart in the United States on June 1. It overtook several major titles, including Jumanji: The Next Level, Twisters, The Home, Captain America: Civil War, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, and The Devil Wears Prada. The film also ranked second on Hulu’s overall chart.
Released on February 20, the R-rated horror thriller was directed by Gavin Polone from a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker. The film follows Jane Archer, a Kansas highway patrol officer whose life is upended after her husband is killed by a violent criminal during a traffic stop.
Convinced that the murderer is a notorious serial killer known as the Satanic Slasher, Jane launches her own investigation, traveling across the country in search of answers. As her pursuit intensifies, she uncovers a far more disturbing picture of the killer.
Georgina Campbell leads the cast as Jane Archer. Other cast members include James Preston Rogers as Richard Joshua Reeves / the Satanic Slasher, Malcolm McDowell as Mr. Pendleton, Logan Miller as Marvin, Grace Dove as Agent Becky Collins, and Aaron Merke as Leonard Wilkes, among others.
Critical response to the film was overwhelmingly negative. On Rotten Tomatoes, the horror feature holds a 9 percent critics’ score based on 45 reviews. Meanwhile, audience reaction was somewhat stronger, with the film earning a 37 percent audience score on the platform. Its recent success on Hulu suggests the thriller has found a larger audience on streaming than it did in theaters.
