Psych (film series)

Psych is a series of comedy-drama mystery films, based on and serving as a continuation of the USA Network television series of the same name. Beginning with the 2017 film Psych: The Movie, the series has seen favorable critical reception [1][2][3] with the Peacock streaming service ordering all films succeeding the first.

Psych
Official film series logo
Based onPsych
by Steve Franks
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
2017–present
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The first sequel, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, was released in 2020, with the third film, Psych 3: This Is Gus, following in 2021. Three further films are in development.

Origin

Once production on the dramedy television series Psych wrapped, series creator Steve Franks immediately had the idea to bring the Psych universe back in film form later on. On May 8, 2017, USA Network confirmed that a film continuation would be produced for the network,[4] directed by Franks and co-written with series star James Roday, with all the series' main cast returning.[5] All subsequent films would be ordered by and released to the streaming service Peacock.[6]

Films

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)Status
Psych: The MovieDecember 7, 2017 (2017-12-07)Steve FranksSteve Franks & James Roday RodriguezSteve FranksJames Roday Rodriguez, Dulé Hill, Steve Franks, Chris Henze, Kelly Kulchak, and Chris CheramieReleased
Psych 2: Lassie Come HomeJuly 15, 2020 (2020-07-15)Steve Franks, James Roday Rodriguez, and Andy Berman
Psych 3: This Is GusNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)Steve Franks & James Roday Rodriguez
Psych 4TBAIn development

Psych: The Movie (2017)

On May 8, 2017, USA Network announced Psych: The Movie, a two-hour film continuation of Psych to air December 7, 2017.[4] All the original main cast would return for the film, which was directed by series creator Steve Franks and written by Franks and series star, James Roday Rodriguez. Zachary Levi was later announced for the film as the main villain, "Thin White Duke",[7] while Jazmyn Simon – Dulé Hill's real-life fiancée – played Selene, a romantic interest for Gus.[8] On July 5, 2017, Charlotte Flair announced that she would be in Psych: The Movie as Heather Rockrear.[9]

On June 28, 2017, former guest star Ralph Macchio joined the cast reprising his role as Nick Conforth,[10] the police academy officer who trained Shawn and Gus in season 5. Principal photography took place from May 25 to June 18[11][12] in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was later announced that Timothy Omundson would have a reduced role due to a stroke, but would still appear.[13] In addition, Kurt Fuller, John Cena and Jimmi Simpson were confirmed to be reprising their respective roles of Woody Strode, Ewan O'Hara and Mary Lightly.

Psych 2: Lassie Come Home (2019)

On February 14, 2019, it was announced Psych: The Movie 2 was greenlit and all the main cast would return, set to premiere in 2019.[14] On April 18, 2019, it was announced Joel McHale would be joining the film, as well as Jimmi Simpson, reprising his recurring role as Mary Lightly.[15] On September 17, 2019, it was announced that the sequel had been renamed Psych 2: Lassie Come Home and would instead be airing on NBCUniversal's new streaming service, Peacock. Consequently, the film will only debut after the streaming service is launched.[16][17] In a November 2019 interview with Larry King, Timothy Omundson revealed that the film would revolve around the characters rallying together in support of Lassie's recovery following a stroke, mirroring Omundson's real-life stroke which led to his reduced presence in Psych: The Movie.[18]

Psych 3: This Is Gus (2021)

On May 13, 2021, Peacock announced a third film, Psych 3: This Is Gus, with production set to begin in the summer.[19] On October 9, 2021 at New York Comic Con, it was announced the film will premiere on November 18, 2021.[20] Along with the returning main cast, Kurt Fuller would reprise his role as Woody Strode and Curt Smith would return as himself.

Future

Three further Psych films are in development, with John Cena intended to reprise his role.[21]

Principal cast and characters

List indicator(s)

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the series.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  C indicates a cameo role.
  •  E indicates an appearance not included in the theatrical cut.
  •  P indicates an appearance in onscreen photographs.
CharacterFilms
Psych:
The Movie
Psych 2:
Lassie Come Home
Psych 3:
This Is Gus
Psych 4[21]
Shawn SpencerJames Roday Rodriguez
Burton "Gus" GusterDulé Hill
Selene GusterJazmyn Simon
Carlton "Lassie" LassiterTimothy OmundsonCTimothy OmundsonTBA
Henry SpencerCorbin Bernsen
Juliet "Jules" O'HaraMaggie Lawson
Chief Karen VickKirsten Nelson
Buzz McNabSage Brocklebank
Woodrow "Woody" StrodeKurt Fuller
Mary LightlyJimmi Simpson 
Ewan O'HaraJohn Cena John Cena[21]
Thin White DukeZachary Levi 
Nick ConforthRalph Macchio 
Dr. Butterfly McMillanJulianna Guill 
El ProveedorRobert LaSardo 
Heather RockrearCharlotte Flair 
Sam SloaneSam Huntington 
Allison CowleyMena Suvari 
Black Gentleman NinjaNathan Mitchell 
Lassiter's father Joel McHale 
Nurse Dolores Sarah Chalke 
Maisie Allison Miller 
Wilkerson Kadeem Hardison 
Ova Christopher Heyerdahl 
Dr. Emile Herschel Richard Schiff 
Marlowe Lassiter Kristy Swanson 
Alan Decker Allen Maldonado 
Curt Smith Himself 
Father Westley Ray Wise 
Lily Lassiter Sophia Reid-Gantzert 

Additional crew and production details

FilmCrew/Detail
ComposerCinematographerEditorProduction
companies
Distributing
company
Running time
Psych: The MovieAdam Cohen & John Robert WoodScott WilliamsDavid Crabtree
USA Network1 hr 28 mins
Psych 2: Lassie Come HomeDavid Crabtree & David GrecuPeacock1 hr 30 mins
Psych 3: This Is GusDavid Crabtree1 hr 36 mins

Reception

Critical and public response of Psych films
TitleCritical
Rotten TomatoesMetacritic
Psych: The Movie100% (14 reviews)[22]66% (6 reviews)[23]
Psych 2: Lassie Come Home85% (13 reviews)[24]77% (5 reviews)[25]
Psych 3: This Is Gus80% (1 reviews)[26]

Podcast

Launched in November 2021, Maggie Lawson and Timothy Omundson have hosted a weekly rewatch podcast of the Psych television and film series, entitled The Psychologists Are In: A Psych Rewatch.[27] Episodes include plot recaps and behind-the-scenes memories from the two hosts. The series also features interviews with cast members, guest stars, and crew members, including writers, directors, and franchise creator Steve Franks.

References