Watch Psycho Beach Party

Psycho Beach Party is a hybrid of genres that blends 1960s beach party movies with slasher films. The movie was directed by Robert Lee King and stars Lauren Ambrose as Florence "Chicklet" Forrest, a young surfer girl who wants to fit in with the cool kids at Malibu Beach. Nicholas Brendon plays Starcat, a surfer who takes Chicklet under his wing, while Thomas Gibson portrays Kanaka, a Native Hawaiian with a mysterious past.

Set in the summer of 1962 in Malibu, California, Psycho Beach Party follows Chicklet's quest to become a part of the surf culture. However, her attempts to fit in are hindered by her awkwardness and her multiple personalities - including a male surfer named Steve and a dominatrix named Ann Bowman - which are triggered by stress. Chicklet also becomes a suspect in a string of murders that occur on the beach, which are perpetrated by a mysterious figure known as the "Maniac".

As Chicklet tries to solve the murders and clear her name, she is aided by Starcat and his friends, including Marvel Ann (Amy Adams), a self-absorbed beauty who is obsessed with her breasts, and Yo-Yo (Matt Keeslar), a flamboyant drag queen who dreams of becoming a Hollywood star. Together, they attempt to catch the "Maniac" and save the day.

Psycho Beach Party is a campy and tongue-in-cheek satire that takes aim at the stereotypes and clichés of both the beach party and slasher movie genres. The movie features a colorful cast of characters, including dim-witted surfers, nerdy scientists, and overbearing parents, all played with exaggerated performances by the talented cast. The movie also features pop culture references to icons of the 1960s, such as Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon.

The film's aesthetic is heavily influenced by the beach movie genre of the 1960s, with plenty of bikini-clad girls, muscle-bound surfers, and catchy doo-wop music. The production design and costumes are also faithful to the time period, with pastel-colored bathing suits, poodle skirts, and beatnik outfits.

One of the movie's strengths is the chemistry between the actors, particularly Lauren Ambrose and Nicholas Brendon. Ambrose brings a quirky charm to Chicklet, making her endearing even in her most outrageous moments, while Brendon portrays Starcat with a laid-back coolness that is both attractive and humorous. The supporting cast also shines, with Amy Adams stealing scenes as the vain and airheaded Marvel Ann and Matt Keeslar delivering hilarious one-liners as Yo-Yo.

Another standout aspect of the film is its use of multiple genres. Director Robert Lee King seamlessly blends the beach party movie and slasher movie genres, creating a film that is both entertaining and subversive. The movie also includes elements of screwball comedy and horror, adding to its eclectic mix of tones.

Overall, Psycho Beach Party is a fun and campy movie that is a must-see for fans of 1960s beach party movies and horror comedies. With its colorful characters, catchy music, and ridiculous plot twists, the movie is a riotous celebration of surf culture and genre filmmaking.

Psycho Beach Party is a 2000 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 42.