Member review

Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ was released in 1960, and follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) as she runs from her problems and ends up at the ever vacant bates motel. From here she interacts with the hotel manage, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins).

‘Psycho’ is perhaps one of the most influential films of the 20th century, which makes it a hard film to review. I find the dark and chilling atmosphere Hitchcock creates from the beginning of the film to be effective as it sets up the tone for the events to come. I particularly enjoyed the suspense that is built throughout the film as it was a technique not many directors had perfected at the time. This set the standard for films to come and without the ‘Psycho’s’ of the film industry modern day horror wouldn’t be the same.

This is why I think ‘Psycho’ has a lasting effect on cinema as the plot and narrative can be compared to modern day movies such as ‘IT’. Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ has even helped mould modern day television, with the American T.V series ‘Bates Motel’ on A&E. this has moulded television as people can now question the role of horror on T.V.

I particularly enjoy the car scenes with Marion as we get a look inside of her head whilst also looking at the situation she is running from.

The ‘Big Reveal’ at the end of the film comes as a surprise to anyone watching it as it also uses the suspense element really well. I like how the main point of the plot isn’t revealed until the end, and how it is foreshadowed thought the movie.

Overall I can see why Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ is still highly regarded as it helped pushed the aspects of thriller and horror into another era.