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Comedy drama

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer (2025): Cast & Ratings

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer (2025) movie poster

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer is a 2025 comedy drama directed by Tolga Karaçelik, starring Steve Buscemi as Kollmick, John Magaro and Ward Horton. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $54,466 worldwide. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
worldwide gross
$54.5K
Echo Score
60
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Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Tolga Karaçelik
Genres
Comedy , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer About?

The premise of Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer without spoilers.

A struggling writer facing divorce finds an unlikely confidant in a retired serial killer. The killer unexpectedly becomes his marriage counselor during the day, while also serving as a disturbing source of inspiration for the writer's next book at night.

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • writer
  • husband wife relationship
  • author
  • serial killer
  • kidnapping
  • 40000
  • caveman
  • ringing telephone
  • cavewoman
  • room
  • hotel room
  • 123
+38 more
  • long title
  • man wears glasses
  • man tied up
  • dinner
  • glass of wine
  • working in a new book
  • four years
  • redheaded woman
  • slovenian
  • slovenia
  • holding an umbrella for a woman
  • rain
  • raining
  • driving in the rain
  • stoic
  • rolling eyes
  • red light
  • green light
  • standing in the middle of a road
  • turning off the lights
  • waking up alone in bed
  • restaurant
  • brooklyn new york city
  • agent
  • paying the bill
  • writing about a person
  • cutting onions
  • crying while cutting onions
  • piano
  • knife
  • baby grand piano
  • wife wants a divorce
  • listening to music
  • traffic light
  • sixteen word title
  • bar
  • drinking
  • drunken
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Cast & crew

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer Cast & Characters

Steve Buscemi leads the cast as Kollmick, with John Magaro as Keane and Ward Horton as David. Directed by Tolga Karaçelik; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer

· 14 more
From the director

More from Tolga Karaçelik

More films directed by Tolga Karaçelik: Acayip, Butterflies, Ivy and Toll Booth.

Full filmography
Ratings

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in art & craft (35).

60 /100

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer Echo Score Breakdown

In its core, Psycho Therapy excels in performances but falters in narrative cohesion and pacing. Critics and viewers acknowledge the film’s lively dialogue and strong cast interactions, yet many point to long stretches of inertia followed by an abrupt conclusion. The direction presents occasional visual flair but often feels uneven, contributing to a stop-and-start rhythm. Although the film offers moments of amusement and thematic promise, its inconsistent storytelling and pace limit its overall impact and lasting resonance.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 35

    The direction and overall craft display uneven execution with moments of stylistic interest offset by abrupt tonal shifts. Several critics describe narrative chaos that undermines cohesion, and some users note a lack of scene completion and immature scene ideas. Production design and editing evoke an indie sensibility but contribute to the film’s pokey rhythm. Overall, art and craft feel underdeveloped and inconsistent.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Character and emotional depth are principal strengths of the film. Critics repeatedly commend dialogue-driven interactions and captivating performances from Buscemi, Lower, and Magaro, and users highlight Lower’s unhinged turn and Magaro’s pitch-perfect work. However, some supporting roles feel interchangeable, and a few viewers find caricatured personas. Thus, while lead performances elevate the material, ensemble depth varies throughout.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and pacing emerge as significant challenges, with numerous reviews citing an abrupt ending and prolonged slow burn. Critics point to screenplay derailment in closing minutes and underdeveloped plot gaps, a sentiment echoed by viewers frustrated by lack of scene completion. Although parts of the narrative reveal intriguing thematic layers and comedic promise, the uneven flow and abrupt conclusion undermine sustained engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory elements remain serviceable but unremarkable. The soundtrack earns specific praise for its fitting tone, yet visual style and sound design largely serve the narrative without making a strong impression. While audio cues support the film’s dark comedic mood, there is limited experimentation in visual cohesion or immersive soundscapes. Consequently, sensory execution is competent but rarely standout.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch potential is moderate, driven primarily by the film’s witty dialogue and layered comedic elements. Critics note that characters and layered farce may reveal subtleties on subsequent viewings, and fans of the cast may return to appreciate performances. However, the uneven pacing and abrupt finale can detract from repeated enjoyment. Overall, the film offers moments worth revisiting but lacks consistent lasting appeal.

Box office

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer Box Office

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer grossed $54,466 worldwide.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$54.5K

International
$54.5K
Videos

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 clips.

Psycho Therapy (2025) Official Trailer
  • Clip A Marriage Counselor?
  • Clip Are We Really Going Through With This?
  • Clip Today's Your Lucky Day
Details

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “Sayko Terapi: Bir Seri Katil Hakkında Yazmaya Karar Veren Yazarın Sığ Hikayesi” and “Психотерапия: Поверхностная история писателя, который решил написать о серийном убийце”.

Also known as
  • Sayko Terapi: Bir Seri Katil Hakkında Yazmaya Karar Veren Yazarın Sığ Hikayesi
  • Психотерапия: Поверхностная история писателя, который решил написать о серийном убийце
  • Психотерапія: маленька історія письменника, який вирішив написати про серійного вбивцю
  • Historia pisarza, który chciał napisać o seryjnym zabójcy

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FAQ

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer?

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer released?

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer was released on April 11, 2025.

Who directed Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer?

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer was directed by Tolga Karaçelik.

More films by Tolga Karaçelik

Who is in the cast of Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer?

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer stars Steve Buscemi as Kollmick, John Magaro as Keane and Ward Horton as David, among 18 credited actors.

How much did Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer make at the box office?

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer grossed $54,466 worldwide.

How is Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer rated?

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer have a post-credit scene?

No. Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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