Psycho
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One of the boldest turning points in cinema history is hidden on a deserted road, under the rain, on the sign of a modest motel shining with neon lights. This 1960 masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock is far more than just a thriller; it is one of the cornerstones of modern horror cinema, even a manifesto. Although the story appears at first glance to be a detective story about a fugitive woman, Hitchcock draws the viewer into much deeper waters. Moral boundaries, how impulsive decisions can drag one into a vortex, and the weight of conscience are placed on the audience's shoulders from the very first minutes of the film. When Marion Crane's journey begins, you feel that you have set off with her; you experience her tension, regret and fear almost like a tremor in your skin. When we arrive at Bates Motel, the film takes on a completely different dimension. Norman Bates emerges as one of the most complex characters etched into cinema through Anthony Perkins' masterful portrayal. You can't help but wonder what lies beneath her shy, gentle, fragile exterior. The strange uneasiness he made you feel while watching you in his office surrounded by birds transforms into fear itself in the following minutes. Hitchcock's preference for black-and-white imagery is no coincidence. This choice is both a way to overcome the constraints of the era and the simplest form of visualizing the moral ambiguity between shadow and light. Bernard Herrmann's musical score based on those sharp string instruments, on the other hand, is impossible to forget after being processed once in the ear; some notes are now part of our collective memory. The film also shatters expectations regarding its narrative structure. It breaks down everything that the cinema audience has learned so far, its safe havens, the narrative conventions that it is used to, one by one, and leaves you alone in a world that plays by another rule. That's why, even after more than sixty years, the impact it has on first-time viewers remains unchanged. Psycho appeals not only to horror fans but also to anyone curious about what cinema can achieve as an artistic medium. You may want to avoid taking a shower for a while after watching; this is normal.
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Reviews
Gimly
October 27, 2017
7/10
Required viewing. _Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
Wuchak
August 20, 2018
9/10
“We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?” A Phoenix secretary, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), embezzles $40,000 and rashly flees town, ending up at a remote motel in Fairvale, California, where she encounters the eccentric Mama’s boy Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). Mixed into this web is a private investigator (Martin Balsam), Marion’s sister (Vera Miles) and Marion’s secret beau (John Gavin). Directed by Alfred Hitchcock based on Robert Bloch’s book, “Psycho” made a huge impact when i...
tmdb56937092
December 11, 2019
10/10
My most favourite film from the master of suspense. This psychological horror is widely considered to be the first ever slasher film. Powered by great performances from Anthony Perkins & Janet Leigh, and the outstanding score by Bernard Herrmann which adds such great tension throughout the film, it is unarguably the greatest thriller ever made. Only Alfred Hitchcock could make a film so entertaining and so horrifying at the same time. The climax continues to haunt me forever.
JPV852
September 07, 2020
9/10
Amazingly, this is my first ever viewing, not sure why I waited so long, but finally got around to it. Great movie in every way from the performance by Anthony Perkins to the atmosphere, enjoyed every bit of this even though I basically knew the entire plot at this point since all iconic scenes and lines have been repeated over the years. Not sure this is my *favorite* Hitchcock movie as I still prefer Rear Window, but obvious why it has held up 60 years later. **4.5/5**
CinemaSerf
May 29, 2022
8/10
There is so much more to this film than just that famous scene in the shower - and so much of it belongs to the marvellous scoring of Bernard Herrmann. His ability to use those screeching strings, and the pace of his music does so much of the heavy lifting that gives this film a sense of accumulating menace that makes it still, after over 60 years, a masterful piece of cinema. Janet Leigh wants to make a go of things with her cash-strapped hunky boyfriend "Sam" (John Gavin) so when an unexpected...
CaryGranite
June 23, 2025
/10
Any fan of slasher/ horror films should consider this required viewing. Marion(Janet Leigh) and her "secret" boyfriend Sam(John Gavin) want to be together. Sam, who is divorced and cash poor feels he cannot provide a happy life for the two of them. Desperate, Marion has an opportunity to steel 40,000.00. She flees Arizona and heads to California where she ends up at the Bates Motel and meeting Norman Bates(Anthony Perkins). Stellar cast, with Perkins giving a eerie Oscar worthy performance. ...
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Frequently Asked Questions
Psycho was released in 1960.
Psycho has a runtime of 1 hr 49 min (109 minutes).
Psycho belongs to the following genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery.
Psycho has a rating of 8.4/10 from 11,031 votes on TMDB.
In the United States, Psycho is available to watch on: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.