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!

• xGary X

  
  Hitchcock's classic "comedy" featuring the world's most famous mother's boy is 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 is 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.

• Carlos M

  
  A seminal classic of horror by master Alfred Hitchcock, with some of the most memorable iconic scenes in the history of Cinema. Tense, horrific and a superb lesson in filmmaking, it offers complex characters and revealing dialogue with a huge regard for details.

• Chris W

  
  Without a doubt one of the most influential films of all time. Timeless classic. Whether this is a true slasher film is debatable, but it's influence on the genres of horror and suspense/thriller is undeniable. If you don't know the story (which would be surprising),… More
  Without a doubt one of the most influential films of all time. Timeless classic. Whether this is a true slasher film is debatable, but it's influence on the genres of horror and suspense/thriller is undeniable. If you don't know the story (which would be surprising), I'll just simply say that it involves a young lady on the run who has recently embezzled a great amount of money from her employer. During her escape, she seeks refuge at an isolated motel where she meets the charming, though odd caretaker, and ends up getting far more than she bargained for as she retires to her room to take a nice, relaxing shower... This is just an amazingly well crafted piece of work. It's taut, atmospheric, and really draws you in. Hitchcock's direction is pitch perfect, and Bernard Herrmann's score is brilliant. Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh give some excellent performances, and John Gavin and Vera Miles are pretty snazzy, too. The film has a great look, wonderful set design, and a great sense of style. This really is a true must see. Even today, this really holds up, and is still very much a groundbreaking work of art.

• Cassandra M

  
  here is so much you can get from this film, as can be seen by anyone who has watched the film. This was the first film to be made where people could not come in halfway through and then watch the end, followed by the start. There is, of course, the perhaps urban myth of Hitchcock… More
  here is so much you can get from this film, as can be seen by anyone who has watched the film. This was the first film to be made where people could not come in halfway through and then watch the end, followed by the start. There is, of course, the perhaps urban myth of Hitchcock being phoned by a desperate cinema manager telling him that there was a queue round the block, it was raining, and could he let them in? Hitchcock, undaunted, made him buy everyone umbrellas. Hitchcock himself called Psycho a comedy, and it has comic sections in it, although it is an extremely black comedy. At the end, you really do not expect the psychiatrist, when asked if Norman killed those people, to say "Yes...."turn of head, raise of eyebrow"and no!". This made the entire cinema, consisting fully of A-Level students, laugh. You do not expect half of the things that happen in the film to happen, but that does not make it necessarily bad. Of course, there was the 3 sequels including a made for TV one, and practically everyone had a go directing, including Perkins himself. Mind you, no-one can beat the master.

• Jeff "

  
  In 1960 Alfred Hitchcock created one of the most enduring horror films in the history of cinema. This is a film that influenced a generation of filmmakers and spawned an entire new genre of horror, the Slasher film. What keeps you involved in the film, what keeps you on the edge of… More
  In 1960 Alfred Hitchcock created one of the most enduring horror films in the history of cinema. This is a film that influenced a generation of filmmakers and spawned an entire new genre of horror, the Slasher film. What keeps you involved in the film, what keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish is the lead performance of Anthony Perkins as the tormented psychopathic motel manager Norman Bates. Norman Bates is one of the most iconic horror villains in the genre and cinema in general. Mother of Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh plays Bates' victim Marion Crane with flair, and it's very easy to place her in the best scream queen list along with her daughter. The combination of horror packed into a thriller is immaculate, brilliant. Alfred Hitchcock hones his craft perfectly with this chiller, and the tone and atmosphere along with the timeless Shower scene is what makes this picture truly unforgettable. The acting is terrific, flawless and chilling. Anthony Perkins is absolutely bone chilling in the lead role, and his silent, kind nature adds to his disturbing, psychotic mental instability, and it makes this film stand out. Psycho remains a fresh experience every time you watch it and kit never gets old. The shocks, horror and tension are always there, and it's what keeps you riveted from the first frame onwards. This film is a must see for cinema and horror buffs alike, and there's many aspects of the film that will terrify you in some ways , but with effective storytelling, great performances and wonderful directing, Psycho is a landmark picture, one that set the standards for shocks and genuine terror for many years to come. After seeing this, you'll most likely think twice about taking a shower in a motel room in the middle of nowhere again. This is a work of genius, and one that no viewer should pass up.

• Josh L

  
  A landmark horror film and one who's influence can be felt in many of the horror greats. Before Carpenter changed the game with Halloween, this was the template to follow. Hitchcock was truly the master of suspense, but it's the uniqueness of the story and screenplay that… More
  A landmark horror film and one who's influence can be felt in many of the horror greats. Before Carpenter changed the game with Halloween, this was the template to follow. Hitchcock was truly the master of suspense, but it's the uniqueness of the story and screenplay that still holds up to this very day.

• Samuel R

  
  Alfred Hitchcock: the master of suspense, is also the founder of modern horror. 'Psycho' is most likely Hitchcock's most recognised film, mainly through the infamous shower scene and its creepy music that goes so well with it. Norman Bates, portrayed by Anthony Perkins,… More
  Alfred Hitchcock: the master of suspense, is also the founder of modern horror. 'Psycho' is most likely Hitchcock's most recognised film, mainly through the infamous shower scene and its creepy music that goes so well with it. Norman Bates, portrayed by Anthony Perkins, is now one of Hollywood's most unique characters. 'Psycho' pushed the boundaries of film during its time with the shocking twist. Because of that, we should remember the power this film has had on the world of film.

• Alexander D

  
  It's not just the story that makes PSYCHO such a fabulously eerie picture. It grows eerier through every viewing, in fact, when each time it is watched, more subtleties are picked up on by the viewer. This was Alfred Hitchcock's final black-and-white-shot film, following… More
  It's not just the story that makes PSYCHO such a fabulously eerie picture. It grows eerier through every viewing, in fact, when each time it is watched, more subtleties are picked up on by the viewer. This was Alfred Hitchcock's final black-and-white-shot film, following 1956?s THE WRONG MAN. It's the claim of some skeptics that this was a cheap excuse to use cheap tactics such as chocolate syrup to simulate the effect of bleeding during the notorious "shower scene". Clearly, that isn't the case. The black-and-white gives us a sheer feeling of terror while watching the film. It's not a horror film, but it comes pretty close with such atmospheric, tasteful qualities. We feel as if Hitchcock is not directing the film, but rather directing a murder case. His technique is insurmountable. PSYCHO II and PSYCHO III each study Norman Bates in thorough depth, for example, but neither of them reach the level of suspense and shock that this did. read it from the beginning at themoviefreakblog.com

• Mike S

  
  Chilling, unforgettable and riddled with skin-crawling tension, <i>Psycho</i> is one of those landmark horror classics that ought to be on everyone's "to watch before I die"-list. An audacious tale, in the sense that it also starrs a female lead of… More
  Chilling, unforgettable and riddled with skin-crawling tension, <i>Psycho</i> is one of those landmark horror classics that ought to be on everyone's "to watch before I die"-list. An audacious tale, in the sense that it also starrs a female lead of questionable moral nature (Marion Crane, played by the beautiful Janet Leigh). She trades in lies, beds a married man, steals money from her work - yet the performances and amazing writing still allows us to care for her. And when Marion in flight from her crime gets a room at the Bates Motel - owned by creepy sociopath Norman Bates and his overprotective mother - we step into her every experience, leading up to the famous shower scene, where the nail-biting, tightly wound atmosphere, culminates in pure terror and dread thick as blood. A lesson in suspense, by wizard-of-a-director Alfred Hitchcock, who has surely inspired a great many film-makers with this paranoid, shocking and hauntingly well-crafted thriller. Truthfully, I can't believe I waited this long to see it. Because it was every bit as arresting as I've been told for years now. I can't end this review though, without giving mention to the legendary screen presence of Anthony Perkins. His uncanny transformation from seemingly kind-hearted gentleman to homicidal maniac, will have your heart skipping a beat at several points throughout the narrative. Most definitely in the hall of fame next to Christian Bale's Patrick Bateman and Sir Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter. That being said, I'm happy to count myself a member now of its appreciative following. For even 52 years after its making, <i>Psycho</i> yet holds sway as one of the most eerie, compelling and bone-chilling stories ever told through the art of cinema. Truly a must-see, for reasons above and many others unmentioned.

• Zach B

  
  It is my understanding that film is the ultimate form of medium, the one form that can capture any moment of time no matter what. With some films, they don't only capture a moment, but becomes a moment. This happens when a film impacts history in a way that nothing is ever the… More
  It is my understanding that film is the ultimate form of medium, the one form that can capture any moment of time no matter what. With some films, they don't only capture a moment, but becomes a moment. This happens when a film impacts history in a way that nothing is ever the same and everything has to copy it. This is the case with Alfred Hitchcock's immortal film Psycho. Me being a fan of horror films, it would be a sin to never have seen this film. Thankfully, not only have I seen this film (if I never did, I would not be writing this review), but after reading the original novel by Robert Bloch, it is safe to say that this is one film to expect in years to come. I first became acquainted with this film one night on some film channel while I was bored. Like everyone else, I have known the famous shower scene and knew of Bates's secret. However, even if you are aware of that, Hitchcock made a film that still shocks you the first time you see it. The way this is done is due to how much he plays you into the films role. He makes you feel for Janet Leigh in this film and then is able to quickly turn the tables to make you feel for Norman. He does this completely by playing into your mind and making you fall for what you see. Now, you can deduce somewhat of what was going on, but due to so many people not doing that, you never can tell the signs and that is what makes this film work: Hitchcock never really gives any signs as to why all the events are happening until the last five to ten minutes. Plus, another factor on Hitchcock's part that makes the film work even more is how he chose to have the film made. As it is stated, he made this film cheap. He used his television show crue, worked for a little under a million, slowly gave the crew the script so that way they will be shocked on camera as they were by the script. Then you have how he advertised the film by telling that no one should speak of the film, that no one would be allowed to be seated, etc. What this did was not only create an atmosphere of fear that would later impact the audience, but also filled the seats in the theater. Then you have how people would later try to copy of the film. In that way, Hitchcock not only gave birth to the modern horror genre, but also started the idea of how to promote the film. In that way, he changed the course of film history. But what makes this film work even more is three things: the score by Bernard Herrmann, the performance by Anthony Perkins, and the wonderful script by Joseph Stefano. With Herrmann, there are only two pieces that needs to even be mentioned. The first is the opening credit music. A frequent collaborator with Hitchcock, it is somewhat amusing to hear the path of insanity that Herrmann adds to his music while adding a dash of paranoia. Like with how Hitchcock directs the film, Herrmann, in a way, co-directs with just the score. Even more with the shower sequence. By never really hearing Janet Leigh screaming as she dies, we hearing the screaming of the violins. In all honesty, that is way more effective then hearing her scream. When you hear her scream, you only end up associating the scene's sound to her screaming. But make it be associated with violins screaming, what you are left with is a universal subconscious of terror when you hear a violin screaming. You get reminded of the terror of the shower scene. Anthony Perkins is one of the reasons why this film is even still around and is a darn good reason. It mainly has to deal with how he presents himself from the film, knowing the horrible truth. But what really makes this performance effective is how you can never really get a feel over what is going on. He keeps everything mentally inside of him and with that, we are left with the portrait of a regular man you could meet that might have a secret. He plays Norman Bates as a regular guy. Nothing really suspicious. With that, he just sells this film. Stefano has a way of adapting the novel, but the few changes he does make actually make things better for the film. The first is the physical idea of Norman. Stefano changes Norman from a fat nobody to a respectable looking somebody that you would not mind sitting down and having a chat with. Stefano writes the film in a way that you makes everybody likeable in one way or another while slowly allowing them to spill their true identities out. With this writing style, what we see is the truth of humans: we rarely allow our true self to be shown out of fear of what other people think. With Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), she slowly allows the truth as to why she is running away to bleed out. She is afraid of being looked down on be people and wants to hide the truth. With Norman, while he does show blankly that he does care for his mother and will do anything for her, his other secret is always conceal due to his fear of people thinking he is a freak. In terms of the script, Psycho's main message is that we are all afraid of what others will think of us and, as humans, we do everything to hide our true selves. Regardless if it is if public or private reasons. Alfred Hitchcock made Psycho the way he did, and I really doubt that he did not know what he was doing. He was a smart man and the way he presented the entire idea of Psycho is nothing short of pure genius. But as to why this film is still around today is due to how he was able to play with the mindset of the audience, how he was able to make them more afraid of what they would never see verses what they can see. Most of the horrifying images that made this film the way it is, you never see. He plays you like a piano and pulls out all of the stops to make this film effective. Like a god of film, he made something that is still a staple in modern cinema. And rightfully so due to this film constantly being considered his masterpiece (which is not really saying anything due to how many other great films he has).

• 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.

• 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.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings