I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

What makes it different from others?

Absolutely Fantastic

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Psychoville is the TV series actor/writers Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton devised between The League of Gentlemen and Inside No. 9. Like those others it also has that very specific mixture of black comedy and horror that these guys are so at home with. For my money though, Psychoville is probably the lesser of the three series, although it is still very good. Despite what its title initially suggests, and unlike 'League', its characters are located in various places around England and the action is not confined to a single location. The title seems to refer more to a state of mind than anything geographic. Anyway, the cast of disparate characters are slowly drawn together by an ominous secret from their past which is initially communicated to them via mysterious sinister letters.First off, this is another bit of work that once again showcases Shearmsith and Pemberton's considerable abilities as character actors as well as writers. They both play a selection of very different people who populate this dark story. They are even joined by former 'League' colleague Mark Gatiss in what to me was the best episode of all, 'David and Maureen', which pays very direct homage to Alfred Hitchcock's experimental thriller Rope (1948), in that it shares the conceit of having its whole story told in one single unbroken take. The series also references other films too, such as another Hitchcock classic Strangers on a Train (1951), in less obvious ways.Of the three series Shearsmith and Pemberton have done, this is the most story-based. It has a mystery underpinning it and the characters do have story arcs that progress in a more traditional manner. The first season probably did this best, in that we knew less of what was going on, so the element of surprise worked more strongly in the series favour. As it progressed I felt it sometimes gave the impression of running out of strong ideas though. The characters are a strong point as you would expect, however, with, amongst others, a misanthropic clown, a psychologically damaged midwife and a sinister manifestation of the mind known as the Silent Singer. The ending to season two quite clearly looks to have been devised with the hope of winning a third season, as it is not really a proper ending at all, with certain plot threads left in the air and the finale really no more than a cliff-hanger of sorts. Evidently the BBC thought otherwise and that was it as far as Psychoville went.

I discovered this after enjoying Inside No 9. (Not a fan of The League.) Psychoville has twisted and memorable characters. The plot is gripping and successfully combines horror with humour. Also, Reece and Steve constantly homage their favourite films. One episode is set entirely in one location, reminding me of how No 9 works. Their commentaries on the DVDs are entertaining and informative. It is a shame Series 3 didn't go ahead, but there aren't any loose ends. I especially loved Reece's characters which include a bitter clown and an obsessive librarian. Dawn French is fabulous. Steve's best character is the man-child, David. There are no weak performances. The music adds to the atmosphere perfectly. Nothing is predictable. The Halloween Special is certainly the best I've seen. For the whole, Psychoville is a delicious treat at any time of the year!

Where the Psychos are the fledging anti-heroes in a show. They each mysteriously receive a letter saying " I KNOW WHAT YOU DID." Frightened for what's to come, they each act accordingly to their own taste. But first you find out what their daily rituals of being creepers. AND I do mean creepers.The concept is unique and fun, because they do not limit themselves in the horror of it all. This is a great watch for Halloween or anything for that matter. I was not empathic towards any of the main characters (except for the clown at one point)…Overall, this is not your typical Dexter… these people are mentally deranged with a multitude of problems, and there is no justification for what they do, other than being victims of their own past or mind. I say this is a great watch!Conceptually brilliant, I see HBO or Showtime doing their own version of it to the step of HBO's Carnivale.

I know that is a harsh title for my comment, but I felt hugely let down by The League of Gentlemen. After a hilarious, and frankly genius first series, the show went quickly downhill with a messy second series that was neither comedy nor horror, and a third that relied on a format change as a rescue attempt. As for the movie - don't get me started.If you felt like me, then even the title of 'Psychoville' may have conjured up the idea of a desperate attempt to be funny and scary at the same time.Thankfully, 'Psychoville' IS funny. The weirdness is there, and it still makes you feel uncomfortable, but it is always played for laughs, and after 30 minutes you feel like you actually watched a comedy show. Yes I DO understand the concept of black comedy - but the balance has to be right, and so far (2 episodes in) this show is getting it right. Where 'League' struggled to decide what kind of show it was going to be, it's successor looks set to be the kind of show the writers always wanted.