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Lauren Ambrose, Thomas Gibson, Kimberley Davies, Matt Keeslar, Charles Busch ... see more see more... , Beth Broderick , Amy Adams , Kathleen Robertson , Nathan Bexton , Buddy Quaid , Jenica Bergere

Robert Lee King directs this wacky, campy fusion of teenaged surfer flicks and slasher sagas. Impossibly perky Florence (Lauren Ambrose) doesn't quite fit in at her thoroughly square high school in he... read more read more...r seaside Southern California town -- that is, until she happens upon a band of ultra-hip surfer dudes. Renaming herself "Chicklet," she tries her gosh-darnedest to be the sole girl riding the waves with the group led by suave Kanaka (Thomas Gibson). While adopting her surfer alter ego, Florence soon discovers that other less pleasant personalities emerge when confronted with the sight of polka dots. One called Anne Bowman is a tough, "experienced" older lady, while the other, Tylene, is a stereotypical sassy black woman. Blacking out whenever these other personalities take over, Florence becomes increasingly worried that she is responsible for a series of grizzly murders. Of course, she is far from the only suspicious character in her oceanside community -- there's B-movie star Bettina Barnes (Kimberly Davies), Swedish exchange student Lars (Matt Keeslar), and Florence's own unnervingly-perfect mom (Beth Broderick). This film was adapted from a popular off-Broadway play written by Charles Busch. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Flixster Users

61% liked it

8,196 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

31 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Robert Lee King

Release Date: August 4, 2000

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DVD Release Date: April 24, 2001

Stats: 477 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (477)

  • jamers2011
    June 9, 2011
    jamers2011
    The only reason I watched this is because it is Amy Adams' second film. I didn't expect much, but it was more enjoyable than I thought. This film is nothing special, but it has a level of sillyness and appeal that will keep you entertained. The acting is not great, but the humor ... read moreand crude remarks are enough to keep the interest. Not a film I'd recommend to everyone, but if you love Amy Adams as I do, it's worth a watch. She has a small role, but she's so great and funny.
  • lewiskendell
    January 29, 2011
    lewiskendell
    "There is so much ugliness in the world. Can't there be anyone who is utterly perfect?"

    What an odd combination of a slasher, dance numbers, surfing, cross-dressing, split-personalities, a murder mystery, and campy humor.

    I only chose to see Psycho Beach Party because of the p... read moreresence of a young Amy Adams, who I will watch absolutely any movie for. Without her, I wouldn't have had much of a reason to finish this. I love campy, cult movies, but Psycho Beach Party didn't particularly amuse me. It wasn't bad, but this movie is really only worth seeing if you're a fan of the cast (which includes Lauren Ambrose, Thomas Gibson, and Kathleen Robertson), and for the cheesy, awesome ending. Watch the trailer, it should give you an excellent idea of whether this is for you.
  • RCCLBC
    December 10, 2009
    RCCLBC
    An amusing little homage to 50's/60's beach party/surfing & horror b-movies.

    Lauren Ambrose is great (as usual) and the rest of the cast seems to be having a lot of fun with all of the silliness and sexual undertones.

    Nothing ground breaking, but it was enjoyable.
  • dreamfaeries
    August 12, 2007
    dreamfaeries
    Laugh-out-loud hilarious...
  • Yinali
    December 1, 2007
    Yinali
    Weird...
  • robfearon
    February 16, 2010
    robfearon
    Technically primitive but still enjoyable.
  • randallangela1
    August 30, 2007
    randallangela1
    At least the soundtrack was good.
  • ileo
    April 12, 2007
    ileo
    Crazy funny!
  • KLFilmmaker
    August 13, 2006
    KLFilmmaker
    Am I missing something here?
  • Hamee
    February 2, 2009
    Hamee
    One of the greatest spoof movies that I have ever seen. No horribly bad acting or popular movie spoofs to be found here and that is great news. I have watched this time and time again and it never gets old.

View All Psycho Beach Party Reviews

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

It's too much filmed theater to come alive fully on the screen. Full Review

Dennis Lim
January 1, 2000
Dennis Lim, Village Voice

Awkward combination of garish set decoration and muffled humor. Full Review

Bob Graham
January 1, 2000
Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle

Good belly laughs amid lower-key giddiness. Full Review

Stephen Holden
January 1, 2000
Stephen Holden, New York Times

It definitively skewers the false innocence of American pop culture on the eve of the countercultural deluge. Full Review

Ernest Hardy
January 1, 2000
Ernest Hardy, Film.com

Saddled with both a script and direction that never comes near the wit or cleverness in Busch's own performance.

January 1, 2000
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sometimes more fun to describe than to watch. Full Review

Cole Smithey
November 16, 2007
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Cool original camp. This is a fun little movie.

Gregory Weinkauf
February 4, 2004
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times

It's Back to the Beach writ saucy.

David Nusair
August 1, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

It's all enjoyable enough, but it's played so broadly that it loses whatever impact it might have had. Full Review

Gerry Shamray
January 25, 2003
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland

Sharp satire. Great fun.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Psycho Beach Party Trivia

  • What T.V show would you get by taking actors/actress' from each of these movies? Relative Chaos Psycho Beach Party Harvard Man Boys and Girls Scoop  Answer »
  • What movie is an adaptation of Charles Busch's 1987 off-Broadway send-up of 1950's teen movies centering on a story of a tomboy who wants to learn how to surf?  Answer »
  • Florence Forest becomes the first girl surfer in Psycho Beach Party ?  Answer »
  • What does Florence suffer from in Psycho Beach Party ?  Answer »
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