Psycho (1960)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  What can one say about one of America Cinemas great movies. Classic film from the master of suspense. Iconic scenes and acting abound!

• paul o

  
  Stop reading the review an watch it now!! Its worth any price for viewing since its actually one of the most iconic horror films. Love it and experience the BATES HOTEL!

• Film C

  
  I have to say Alfred Hitchcock is my all time favourite director and master of horror! He really knows how to make his movies suspenseful and exciting right to the end! For its time this movie is just phenomenal! It is the most iconic and remembered masterpiece that deserves every… More
  I have to say Alfred Hitchcock is my all time favourite director and master of horror! He really knows how to make his movies suspenseful and exciting right to the end! For its time this movie is just phenomenal! It is the most iconic and remembered masterpiece that deserves every little credit it can take! A fantastic horror movie with the most iconic shower scene, amazing soundtrack and mindblowing twist ending!

• Graham J

  
  One of my favorites from one of the all time greatest directors. Looking at the other films Hitchcock made around this time, I love the fact that he made it so low key, no Vistavision (which I do love) and in black and white, with no huge star in it. Seeing this in a theater is… More
  One of my favorites from one of the all time greatest directors. Looking at the other films Hitchcock made around this time, I love the fact that he made it so low key, no Vistavision (which I do love) and in black and white, with no huge star in it. Seeing this in a theater is amazing.

• Alexander D

  
  Everything is set perfectly, and so this 1960 thriller still works today.

• Melvin W

  
  Norman Bates: Mother! Oh God, mother! Blood! Blood!  "Exploring the blackness of the subconscious man!" There is so much to love about Psycho. Alfred Hitchcock dared to take film where it had never been before. He wastes no time in showing the 1960 audience this, when he… More
  Norman Bates: Mother! Oh God, mother! Blood! Blood!  "Exploring the blackness of the subconscious man!" There is so much to love about Psycho. Alfred Hitchcock dared to take film where it had never been before. He wastes no time in showing the 1960 audience this, when he starts the movie off with passionate kissing, while Janet Leigh lays on a bed in a bra. Today, this is seems like no big deal, but back in the day it was shocking. He also was the first director to ever show a toilet in a film. It's hard to believe in the years proceeding Psycho, that a toilet was never shown or flushed. It is such an average thing, that we see and use daily, yet it had never been shown in a film. Then there is the violence, which is mild today, but not nearly as common back in 1960. But my favorite thing about this movie is how Hitchcock set up his false protagonist, Marion Crane. There are possible spoilers here, but you probably know about them already. False protagonist had been used very little, if at all, before Psycho. So the idea of setting up a character as the main character and then finding out that the character you thought was the main character wasn't just wasn't on the audiences mind back then. They had never seen anything like this. That is why Hitchcock was so adamant about not allowing anyone into the theater after it had started, because the first few scenes were so important. He sets Marion Crane up perfectly. He gives her a love interest and then gives her $40,000 to steal and then sends her away. It appears to the audiences eyes that you are going to be with this character to the very end. Then you introduce a new man to the mix. She has dinner with him, could this be a love triangle? This perfect set up is what makes the shower scene so shocking. No one is expecting Marion to die. The movie has only been going forty minutes. How can you kill off the person who the movie is about only halfway through the film!? Oh, the movie isn't about her. So who is it about? Oh, it's about Norman and his mother. Well... that was unexpected. When talking about Psycho, you have to talk about the shower scene. It is probably the most famous horror scene of all-time ad one of the most famous scenes period. Everyone knows about it, even if they haven't seen it. The crazy thing about the scene is how well done it is, despite all the precautions they had to take while shooting in order for it not to be shot down by the censors. They can't show too much skin, they can't show too much violence. That's kind of hard, seeing that a naked woman is getting stabbed while in the shower. It takes brilliant minds to come to the conclusion of how to shoot the scene. It came out perfect. Shoot the knife going down at the body then cut. Literally cut to different angles for every stab. They cut takes when there is a literal cut. How fucking brilliant is that? The scene ends with my favorite piece of camera work ever. Janet Leigh lays half in the tub, half out; with her head on the floor. The camera is focused on the eye and slowly pulls out to see her entire lifeless face. From there the camera does a sweeping shot to where Marion had hidden the $40,000 and then to the window where we hear Norman cry out "Mother! Blood!" It's just the single best scene ever made. Another thing you have to talk about is Norman Bates. He is one of the greatest screen villains of all-time. It's him, Hannibal Lector, and Alex DeLarge. Anthony Perkins portrayal of the "Psycho" is one of my favorite male performances ever. From his first shy and awkward conversations with Marion to the ending sinister glare and smile, it is one of the creepiest and most chilling of all performances you could imagine. It is a powerhouse performance, that is helped out by some great writing from Joseph Stefano, who brilliantly brought the relationship between Norman and his mother into the audience's mind right from the get go with Norman's dinner with Marion. We know right away that Norman has some sort of twisted connection with his mother: Marion Crane: Do you go out with friends?  Norman Bates: A boy's best friend is his mother.  We get the sense that Norman is a very lonely individual, who's only real friend throughout his life has been his mother. He talks about how his taxidermy isn't really a hobby because a hobby is supposed to "pass the time, not fill it." He has no real life, outside of his mother.  What Psycho is, is a landmark film that gave way to just about every single horror film after it. From Halloween to Silence of the Lambs. Every horror, serial killer, psychological thriller film out there owes something to Psycho. It is a masterpiece and my favorite Hitchcock film. Norman Bates: She might have fooled me, but she didn't fool my mother. 

• Sophie B

  
  A brilliant and tense thriller from Hitchcock which sees a murderer disguised. Brilliant performances and direction. Too bad I already knew the 'twist', but despite this it was still a very good watch.

• KJ P

  
  The premise of this film is what sells me right from the opening scene. As Maria goes off on a trip after stealing the money that a colleague was going to use to buy his daughter a $40,000 home for her wedding gift, she eventually buys a car and stops in at a motel after becoming… More
  The premise of this film is what sells me right from the opening scene. As Maria goes off on a trip after stealing the money that a colleague was going to use to buy his daughter a $40,000 home for her wedding gift, she eventually buys a car and stops in at a motel after becoming tired. Once she get's through the first couple hours and a dinner with the landlord, we begin to realize that he is not exactly what he seems. This film brings out classic horror better than any other Film Noir horror that I have ever seen. Hitchcock's thrilling masterpiece is filled with unique cinematography, powerful acting, a very creepy location, and a premise that will take your breath away. Psycho is one of the best, if not the best suspense film that I have ever seen. Hitchcock does it again!

• Christopher H

  
  One of the most influential horror movies ever made. Alfred Hitchcock at his very best.

• BG Movie Reviews 2

  
  Well, isn't this a good classic! Many people have spoken to me about it and I hadn't seen it, which is apparently a sin for all film reviewers, so I decided to go and borrow a copy from my mate (thanks Matt)! So, now I have seen this classic, I can review it and take out… More
  Well, isn't this a good classic! Many people have spoken to me about it and I hadn't seen it, which is apparently a sin for all film reviewers, so I decided to go and borrow a copy from my mate (thanks Matt)! So, now I have seen this classic, I can review it and take out this gap in my film knowledge... Psycho is a film about a woman who is asked to cash a large amount of money for her boss. She stops off at a motel, quite a way away from any bank and soon goes missing. Investigations follow, and the mystery of the Bates' Motel is soon uncovered... It's a classic piece of film, made by an absolutely brilliant director. The story is quite solid, with a quite clever twist near the end. What I would say a downside of the film is, is that the special effects are starting to age, making the infamous shower scene quite funny, rather than scary! Regardless of the aging, the film can still be appreciated, showing that you can make a good film without the need for explosions everywhere or blood everywhere, which is unfortunately something that many modern directors seem to think is a necessity. Again, if you haven't seen it, it's worth watching, but it isn't the greatest film of all time. It's above average, and miles above average for a film of it's time!

• Kase V

  
  Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' defines the horror genre today. Although there are a few technical hiccups with the effects that a modern viewer may pander, there's no real way of avoiding it since the film was made in 1960. Hitchcock proves his skill with a steady… More
  Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' defines the horror genre today. Although there are a few technical hiccups with the effects that a modern viewer may pander, there's no real way of avoiding it since the film was made in 1960. Hitchcock proves his skill with a steady hand over the direction duties as well as a sure-fired performance from Anthony Perkins as a stellar psychopath. Only the meticulous pacing can prove to be a problem for the contemporary viewer, although its not a huge deal, seeing as it takes patience to appreciate a classic like this. 'Jaws' did it for the ocean, 'Paranormal Activity' is doing it for the bedroom, but 'Psycho' did it for the shower...scare the hell out of viewers, that is.

• Everett J

  
  Number 14 on AFI's top 100, and generally considered the "original" slasher movie, "Psycho" holds up great after 50 years. The music, the performances, and the direction all create an atmosphere that a lot of horror movies lack these days. The music really… More
  Number 14 on AFI's top 100, and generally considered the "original" slasher movie, "Psycho" holds up great after 50 years. The music, the performances, and the direction all create an atmosphere that a lot of horror movies lack these days. The music really helps the suspense build and build until we are introduced to bates motel. Anthony Perkins, gives one of the best horror movie performances ever. I would put Norman right up there with Freddy, Jason, and Michael. I honestly don't remember ever watching this, but I do remember the remake with Vince Vaughn. I thought that was an ok movie, but I didn't find Vaughn to be very effective. The last shot of Norman Bates in the original is a chilling scene, even after all these years. His face is absolutely perfect for a movie called "Psycho". Definitely ahead of it's time, and a true pioneer for films in general. If you have never watched this and are in the mood for a great suspense filled movie, then pop this into the dvd player and turn out the lights.

• Eric A

  
  Definition of a classic. This movie pretty much created the horror genre and set the standard for everything else since: Halloween, Friday the 13th, etc.

• danny d

  
  considered one of the great horror films in cinematic history, this film breaks much of the mold for its time. anthony perkins was haunting and janet leigh gives us the most iconic scene in the history of horror, or showers for that matter.

• Ross C

  
  Unexpectedly good once the story develops. It's quite an uncomfortable movie to begin with for no particular reason. Like all early Hitchcocks it feels like it would also work well as a play, with a strong plot and little required from the sets. As with all such movies the action… More
  Unexpectedly good once the story develops. It's quite an uncomfortable movie to begin with for no particular reason. Like all early Hitchcocks it feels like it would also work well as a play, with a strong plot and little required from the sets. As with all such movies the action sequences are laughable but they are few and short and this flaw is more than overcome by the intriguing story line.

• xGary X

  
  Hitchcock's classic "comedy" featuring the world's most famous mother's boy in one of the most influential films ever made; every serial killer and slasher movie owes something to this, one of the true greats of cinema. Unfortunately, as the character of… More
  Hitchcock's classic "comedy" featuring the world's most famous mother's boy in one of the most influential films ever made; every serial killer and slasher movie owes something to this, one of the true greats of cinema. Unfortunately, as the character of Norman Bates is SO infamous, this is one of those films I wish I could forget I had ever seen and watch it with fresh eyes, but it is still fascinating to watch the awkwardly shy and fresh-faced Anthony Perkins knowing how the story plays out, especially during the exchange between he and Janet Leigh in the parlour. The only minor flaw is the fact that the first act is stronger than the second inevitably meaning a slight anti-climax, especially since the final scenes include the psychiatrist's speech explaining all which is clearly irrelevant in this day and age when the concept of multiple personalities is common knowledge. This is countered however by the brilliantly creepy final shot of Perkins as "mother", who wouldn't even hurt a fly...One of those films that I still find gripping every time I see it.

• AJ V

  
  At first glance this movie is slow and not so scary, but if you really get into the mindset of the 1960 audience, and give some thought to the story and characters, this is a beautifully crafted horror film. The only scene that ever got on my nerves was the falling down the stairs… More
  At first glance this movie is slow and not so scary, but if you really get into the mindset of the 1960 audience, and give some thought to the story and characters, this is a beautifully crafted horror film. The only scene that ever got on my nerves was the falling down the stairs moment, which looks staged even for 1960, but I look past it now. Perkins is perfect in this movie and I love the story. I highly recommend this movie.

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Review pending.

• Steven C

  
  Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" is a movie among movies. It works on so many levels. First, it's a classic of the horror genre and one of the more unique films in Hitchcock's canon. It was also influential in it's narrative structure and editing theory. It… More
  Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" is a movie among movies. It works on so many levels. First, it's a classic of the horror genre and one of the more unique films in Hitchcock's canon. It was also influential in it's narrative structure and editing theory. It also pushed the boundaries for sex and violence in cinema. All the historical relevance aside, "Psycho" has a great story with great performances. Not to mention a hugely memorable score and some of the most iconic lines the horror genre has to offer.

• David L

  
  I'm sure that everyone who is reading this has seen the film but for those few that haven't they're are spoilers ahead so beware. To begin here,the structure of "Psycho" can be likened to that of a three-act play. In Act I, Marion Crane, an employee of a… More
  I'm sure that everyone who is reading this has seen the film but for those few that haven't they're are spoilers ahead so beware. To begin here,the structure of "Psycho" can be likened to that of a three-act play. In Act I, Marion Crane, an employee of a real-estate company in Phoenix, Arizona, embezzles $40,000 belonging to a client of her employer in order to start a new life with her married boyfriend and goes on the run, ending up at a lonely motel. Act II deals with her stay at the motel and her conversations with its owner, Norman Bates, and ends with her murder in the famous shower scene. Act III deals with the investigations into Marion's disappearance, not only by the police but also by her boyfriend Sam, her sister Lila and a private eye named Milton Arbogast. Many people have felt that Act I, and indeed much of Act II, is a gigantic red herring. Certainly, Hitchcock seems to be leading us to believe that Marion is to be the central figure in this drama and the stolen money the "McGuffin" around which it will revolve. Her murder midway through the film must have come as a great shock to the audiences who watched the film in 1960, not only because the shower scene was, by the standards of the day, graphic in its depiction of violence, but also because the violent death of the central character so early in the film was almost unprecedented. Marion is young, attractive, blonde (like most Hitchcock heroines) and played by a major star; just the sort of film character one would expect to survive a murderous attack. Moreover, in Janet Leigh's portrayal she emerges as not altogether unsympathetic, despite her crime. One gets the impression that she is not, fundamentally, a wicked person and that she stole the money in a moment of madness. The man from whom she stole is a seedy sexual predator, seen flirting with her and making veiled sexual suggestions. When she is threatened by that sinister-looking traffic cop in his dark glasses, we are just praying for her to get away with it. This is probably the darkest of Hitchcock's films. Many of his films have a straightforward pattern of good triumphing over evil, ending with the villain dead or in police custody and the hero safe and free to marry the beautiful blonde heroine. "North by North West", the film which Hitchcock made immediately before "Psycho", and "Spellbound" are good examples of this pattern. In some films, such as "Rebecca", "Notorious" or "Strangers on a Train", there are elements of moral ambiguity, but in "Psycho" ambiguity seems to be replaced by a straightforward triumph of evil over good. Bates might end up under arrest, but not before he has murdered Marion and several other people. There is a clear contrast between this film and "Spellbound", another film which shows Hitchcock's fascination with psychology. In that film the character played by Ingrid Bergman is a "healer of souls", (the literal meaning of the Greek words from which "psychiatrist" is derived) a force for good who is able not only to cure Gregory Peck of his psychological traumas but also to clear him of unjustified suspicion of murder. In "Psycho" the psychiatrist is a more neutral figure, able to explain why Bates committed his crimes, but unable to cure him or to suggest how such crimes might be prevented. Yet on a deeper level there is more ambiguity about "Psycho" than appears at first sight. The character of Bates, with his split personality, symbolises the duality of good and evil in the human soul. Bates originally committed an evil crime- the murder of his mother and her lover- but has been driven mad by remorse. In his madness, the two aspects of his character have crystallised into two distinct personalities. His "Norman" personality (shown in a brilliantly subtle performance by Anthony Perkins) is that of a polite and inoffensive young man. His timidity, his apparent domination by his mother and his odd hobby of taxidermy might make him seem creepy, but never threatening. (His speciality is stuffing birds, and several examples of his handiwork decorate the motel, adding to the eeriness of the film and foreshadowing Hitchcock's next film, "The Birds"). Bates has, however, unconsciously projected the evil side of his character onto his dead mother, and it is when the "Mother" personality takes over that he commits further evil deeds. One of the things that make the film so frightening is that the crimes are committed by a seemingly inoffensive character. These two aspects of Bates come out in his dealings with Marion. The "Norman" side befriends her, the "Mother" side kills her. Before she is killed, however, she is persuaded her she must return the stolen money. One of the last things she says is that she must return to Phoenix "to get out of a trap I've gotten into". Unwittingly, Norman has persuaded her to cleanse her soul. He destroys her physically, but might have saved her spiritually. If that seems an over-portentous interpretation of this film, we must remember that Hitchcock was brought up as a Catholic and that themes of sin and redemption play an important part in his work. (Think, for example, of "I Confess"). There are also, of course, two sides to Marion, symbolised by the change in colour of her underwear from white to black after she has committed the crime. Two things remain to be mentioned. One is that harsh, driving Bernard Herrmann score which fits the mood of the film so well. The other is Hitchcock's direction and his use of black-and-white photography to convey a threatening mood. He said that he used black-and-white to make the film less gory; in fact, it seems far more eerie and frightening than a colour version ever could. (A shame that Gus van Sant did not understand that before embarking on his ill-advised remake). Overall, this is a superb chiller, undoubtedly the best "slasher" movie ever made and my personal favorite among Hitchcock's work.

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