Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is a revolutionary movie and remains a valued suspense/horror thriller in the film industry. Psycho was massively successful upon release, leading to many sequels and reimaginings.
Adapted from a novel by Robert Bloch, Psycho introduced the world to new, soon-to-be iconic versions of Norman and Norma Bates, also known as "Mother." Each Psycho movie and show that followed afterward put its own creative touches into the franchise and added to the lore of Norman Bates' world. Although some entries are better than others, each installment in the Psycho series has interesting ideas.
7 The 1998 Psycho Remake Has Really Odd Creative Choices
Psycho (1998) is a remake of the original, replicating every sequence from Psycho (1960) shot-for-shot with some changes. Although the remake essentially tells the same story, it lacks the same magic as its 1960 counterpart.
Psycho (1998) is an interesting experiment, seeing how much a remake can potentially capture the same spark through immense imitation. Unfortunately, the remake lacks the original's soul and elegant feel, feeling like a pale impersonation. In addition, the remake's new elements are questionable at best, lessening scenes that had worked all the way back in 1960.
6 The 1987 Bates Motel Pilot Leaves A Lot To Be Desired
The 1987 Bates Motel TV movie pilot is an old attempt at an anthology series based on the Psycho franchise. After the death of Norman Bates, his friend, Alex West, inherits the motel. While the pilot has interesting ideas, it fails to capitalize on them.
There is an intriguing beginning, with some background on Norman and Alex during their time in the asylum. The pilot could've delved more into their relationship and similarities, creating more of a hook for audiences. As it stands, the main plot isn't fun to watch because it doesn't give the characters much to do and barely has the psychological aspects that Psycho fans enjoy.
5 Psycho IV Gives Norman Bates A Happy Ending
Psycho IV: The Beginning takes an exciting approach by delving into Norman Bates' past, directly showing the abuse he suffered at the hands of his mother, Norma Bates. The film switches between the past and present, juxtaposing the current adult Norman and his past self. The movie honors Norman's status as a tragic protagonist, remembering that he is as much a victim as he is a murderer.
Psycho IV pushes Norman to a new mental state, one where he fully confronts his past and embraces the future. He finally lets go of his trauma and has a baby with his wife, Connie, ready to face whatever life has in store for them. Psycho IV finally gives Norman Bates a happy ending, giving him hope for a bright future.
4 Psycho III Should've Focused More On Norman's Romance & Psychological Battle
Psycho III has fascinating ideas: Norman battles his alternate persona throughout the entire movie and meets a new love interest named Maureen Coyle, who has similar problems related to repression. Unfortunately, the film somewhat misses the mark by focusing on unneeded elements, namely the character Duane Duke.
However, Psycho III is still worth a watch from Psycho fans. Norman's struggle with "Mother" and his feelings for Maureen create a nice dynamic. Anthony Perkins' directing gives Psycho III a unique and colorful style among other installments in the franchise.
3 A&E's Bates Motel Series Is A Fresh Take On The Psycho Mythos
Bates Motel (2013) is a modernized take on the Psycho mythos, introducing its own twists and turns to make it its own thing. The series showcases the lives of Norman and Norma Bates struggling to remain together in an abusive world while demonstrating that both characters make choices that lead to their downfall.
Along with homages to the original Psycho, Bates Motel develops its main characters, making the audience simultaneously root for and feel fearful of Norman and Norma. The show also progresses its side characters, making them feel like real people and not just arbitrary figures in Norma's and Norman's lives. Unfortunately, the writing isn't always up to snuff, and near the end, it can feel as though the writers wrote themselves into a corner. Regardless, Bates Motel is a great addition to the Psycho franchise and deserves a quick watch.
2 Psycho II Is A Worthy Successor To Psycho
Although Psycho II doesn't receive as much praise as the first film, fans greatly appreciate Psycho II as a sequel and psychological thriller. Many people regard Psycho II as one of the best horror sequels and a worthy successor to Psycho.
Psycho II develops Norman Bates as a tragic protagonist, with Norman struggling to remain mentally stable among people who psychologically torment him. The movie really makes viewers root for Norman and sympathize with him. The film keeps viewers on their toes, making them wonder who's responsible for the murders. The movie's main flaws are a weak twist and unnecessary gore, which keep it from reaching the same acclaim as Psycho.
1 Psycho (1960) Is Still A Great Classic
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is still regarded as one of Hitchock's greatest films and one of the best films of all time. Although the movie is an adaptation of a novel, Psycho introduces unique elements that make it stand strong on its own.
Alfred Hitchcock's expertise in directing helps Psycho visually stand out among other horror and thriller titles. Psycho utilizes intense music, subliminal imagery, and Anthony Perkin's expressive acting to its advantage. The film pushed boundaries depicting violence and sexual themes, helping pave the way for future movies to do the same. Psycho quickly became iconic and remains a major influence on filmmakers today.