Psycho – Review

Yes, everyone has heard of Psycho, and likely know it features a shower, but many younger audiences potentially have written this off as some old black & white film, and is therefore boring. However… there is nothing dull about this mystery thriller with horror elements. The script, choreography, directing, acting and mesmerizing mystery play out to wonderful results, even compared to modern films.

This famous “horror” movie has a hell of a plot, but that is likely because it was based on a book. Its atypical set-up is balanced by masterful direction, and superb acting. It kicks off with a set-up of crime and passion, where a Phoenix real estate company secretary Marion Crane (Leigh) is tasked with delivering a great sum of cash ($40,000) to the bank for her boss, and instead takes it for herself.

Marion sees this cash as an opportunity to solve all sorts of her life problems, including helping her boyfriend Sam with his debts, and therefore having enough money to finally marry him. After being handed the cash, she takes off on Friday afternoon out of town and heads towards California and her boyfriend’s house. She figures she has a few days to disappear before anyone notices the money is gone.

Cutting to the chase, her travels take her around 15 miles outside of her destination on a dark and stormy Saturday night, where she finds the Bates Motel along the state highway. She decides the stay the evening, and meets the solitary owner Norman (Perkins), who is doing his best to keep the place running, all while being chastised by his controlling mother who lives in the house behind the motel. Things go from crazy to insane as the plot progresses, with all sorts of twists and turns.

Will Marion get caught for stealing her boss’s money? Does she have a happy ending in store with her boyfriend Sam (Loomis)? Will Norman’s mother ever give him a break, or will be stand up to her demands? This is absolutely one of the best Hitchcock movies in his long repertoire of amazing flicks.

There have been multiple sequels, a remake and a TV show based on this story.