Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark, off-kilter crime thriller has language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In PSYCHO THERAPY: THE SHALLOW TALE OF A WRITER WHO DECIDED TO WRITE ABOUT A SERIAL KILLER, writer Keane (John Magaro) has been working on his second novel for years, much to the disillusionment of his wife, Suzie (Britt Lower). Struggling to convince people—including his agent—of his idea about a Neanderthal love story, Keane drowns his sorrows in a local bar, where he randomly meets a man called Kollmick (Steve Buscemi). When Kollmick claims to be a retired serial killer and offers to help him write a more commercially viable book, Keane gets pulled into a chaotic world that includes everything from criminal marriage counselors to kidnapping Albanians.
Is It Any Good?
A mix of ridiculous, chaotic, playful, and stoic, this quietly ambitious crime thriller will appeal to those with a penchant for the dark and absurd, but it may leave others a little dazed and confused. In Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer, Buscemi excels as a matter-of-fact retired murderer, who shows little concern for his past "career" or for the actions he's forced to take as the plot veers wildly out of control. There are some nice touches, like Suzie's almost clown-like makeup to portray her misery, very random llama placement, tongue-in-cheek marriage counseling sessions, and the use of "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" in jarring contrast to the unsettling events unfolding on-screen. It's reminiscent of the memorable soundtrack dissonance in the likes of Reservoir Dogs or Kill Bill: Vol. 1, but the structure here isn't quite as tight. The pace feels slow at times and the movie's self-awareness is a little too loud at others. But there's no doubting it's a unique and enjoyable ride with a droll, farcical tone full of unlikely charm and a sense of 1990s-era mischief.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer fits into the sub-genre of "struggling writer" movies. How did Keane's obsession with his work drive the plot? What personality traits did he share with similar characters, and which traits are different?
How was violence portrayed in the movie? Did the playful and absurdist tone affect its impact at all? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the use of strong language in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
How did the movie use music to create the tone? What effect did it have to play a song that's not in harmony with what's going on on-screen? Can you think of other films that have used this technique? How do they compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 4, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : April 11, 2025
- Cast : Steve Buscemi , John Magaro , Britt Lower
- Director : Tolga Karaçelik
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Brainstorm Media
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : January 20, 2026
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