Psycho is a 1960 American horror film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The screenplay, written by Joseph Stefano, was based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. The film stars Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Martin Balsam. The plot centers on an encounter between on-the-run embezzler Marion Crane (Leigh) and shy motel proprietor Norman Bates (Perkins) and its aftermath, in which a private investigator (Balsam), Marion's lover Sam Loomis (Gavin), and her sister Lila (Miles) investigate her disappearance.
Psycho was seen as a departure from Hitchcock's previous film North by Northwest, as it was filmed on a lower budget in black-and-white by the crew of his television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Initially, the film divided critics due to its controversial subject matter, but audience interest and outstanding box-office returns prompted a major critical re-evaluation. Psycho was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Hitchcock and Best Supporting Actress for Leigh.
In 1998, a remake of the film was directed by Gus Van Sant, starring Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, Julianne Moore, and Viggo Mortensen. The film was not well-received by critics.
In 2020, an Indian Tamil-language Psychological thriller film titled Psycho was released, written and directed by Mysskin. The film starred Udhayanidhi Stalin, Nithya Menen, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Rajkumar Pitchumani.
Plot
Psycho is a movie with a twisty and sneaky plot. The film opens with Marion Crane, a real estate secretary in Phoenix, Arizona, who embezzles money from her employer and goes on the run. She ends up at the Bates Motel, run by a shy young man named Norman Bates, who lives in a gothic-looking house with his mother. Norman is friendly and seems attracted to Marion, but his mother is jealous and mean. After dinner, Marion goes to her cabin, undresses, and gets ready to take a shower. Norman watches her from a peephole in the office. Suddenly, a woman with a butcher knife appears and stabs her to death. The main character is dead, and Norman is horrified at what he has done. The film is known for its iconic shower scene and is considered a classic of the horror genre.
Cast
- Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates
- Janet Leigh as Marion Crane
- Vera Miles as Lila Crane
- John Gavin as Sam Loomis
- Martin Balsam as Detective Milton Arbogast
- Patricia Hitchcock as Caroline
- Fletcher Allen as Policeman on Steps (uncredited)
- Walter Bacon as Church Member (uncredited)
- Prudence Beers as Extra (uncredited)
- Kit Carson as Extra (uncredited)
Original Language: English
Producer: Alfred Hitchcock
Writer: Robert Bloch, Joseph Stefano
Box Office Gross: $32,052,925
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Horror, Mystery & thriller
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 16, 1960
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Theme
The main themes of Psycho are guilt, duality, and the dangers of repressed sexuality. The film explores the idea of how guilt can drive a person to madness and how people can have two sides to their personalities. Norman Bates is a prime example of this, as he has a sweet and innocent side, but also a dark and violent side. The film also delves into the idea of repressed sexuality, as Norman's relationship with his mother is shown to be twisted and unhealthy.
Reception
Psycho was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1960. It was praised for its innovative storytelling, suspenseful plot, and shocking twist ending. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Alfred Hitchcock. It has since become a classic of the horror genre and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
Production Challenges
Psycho faced several production challenges, including censorship issues and budget constraints. The film's infamous shower scene was initially deemed too graphic by censors, and Hitchcock had to make several changes to get it approved. Additionally, the film was shot on a tight budget, which forced Hitchcock to be creative with his camera angles and use cheaper black-and-white film stock.
Settings, Visual Styles, and Techniques
Psycho is known for its iconic settings, including the Bates Motel and the Bates House. The film's visual style is characterized by its use of shadows, close-ups, and unconventional camera angles. Hitchcock also employed several innovative techniques, such as the use of split screens to show multiple perspectives during the murder scenes.
Trivia & Fun Facts
- Psycho was based on a novel by Robert Bloch, which was in turn inspired by the real-life crimes of serial killer Ed Gein.
- The film's famous shower scene was shot with 70 different camera angles and took an entire week to film.
- Hitchcock originally wanted the film to have no music, but composer Bernard Herrmann convinced him to include a score.
- The film's twist ending was kept a secret from audiences, and theaters were instructed not to let anyone in after the film had started.
- Psycho was the first American film to show a toilet flushing on screen.