Psycho, released in 1960 and often hailed as the 'mother of modern horror', a timeless classic that rewrote the rules of horror and thriller films, is one of the most remarkable works by Alfred Hitchcock, and a perfect watch for a Halloween movie night with your loved ones.
The screenplay of this American thriller film by Joseph Stefano is based on the 1959 novel of the same title by Robert Bloch. The plot revolves around the mysterious disappearance of real estate secretary Marian Crane (Janet Leigh) after her encounter with the shy motel owner Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). This incident then triggers an investigation involving Arbogast, a private detective (Balsam), Marian's lover Sam Loomis (Gavin), and Marian's sister Lila (Miles).
The opening shot gives us a glimpse of the city of Phoenix, slowly panning to the room where we get to see what appears to be an illicit affair of Marian and her boyfriend Sam. As the scenes progress, Alfred begins to favour Marian over Sam, as we will be following her point of view from then onwards. Later we see Marian stealing a large sum of $40,000 from her office, hoping to bail out Sam from his debts and marry him.
While going to Sam with the money, she stops at a Bates motel, run by Norman, a young repressed man under the hold of his dominating mother. Here we witness things becoming a little creepy. It is in this motel we see the famous “shower scene montage”. One would think that it was Norman’s mother, or rather her shadow that goes on stabbing Marian. But guess what? After further investigation, (spoiler alert) the killer happens to be Norman himself, through his alter ego - his mother!
What sets “Psycho” apart is that it does not have a single protagonist to carry the bulk of the film. The camera’s focus shifts from Marian to Norman gradually during their talk in the Motel Parlour, and Norman takes the lead while he covers up Marian’s death. After this scene Sam, Lila (Marian’s sister), and Arbogast (private detective) are brought to the spotlight, who uncover the truth about Norman.
Psycho is seen as one of Alfred’s most influential and famous works. After its release, the movie received mixed reviews from critics; yet, many were drawn to the movie since it was unlike anything they had ever seen before. This movie has been highly studied and praised for its distinct narrative structure, intriguing camera work, and tense moments with a spine-tingling soundtrack. François Truffaut, French filmmaker and actor, suggests that the whole construction of the film is sort of ‘abnormal’. First there is a scene of adultery, then a theft, then a murder finally followed by "Psychopathy".
Through the magic of ‘Quick Cutting’, an editing style, Hitchcock was able to elevate Marian’s murder scene, sending shivers down the spines of his audience. The nudity, ear-piercing screams, blood spiralling down the drain, Bernard Herrman’s haunting background score and the interesting play of shadows - all together create a dramatic effect. Hitchcock cleverly placed these scenes together in a rapid progression, creating tension and at the same time conveying Marian’s murder without explicitly showing the act of stabbing; making the scene iconic as it departs from conventional storytelling techniques. Bernard Herrman’s score in this scene continues to inspire filmmakers till date.
Alfred’s direction style was unique. He used black and white to disguise aspects of the film. The clever use of shadows and lighting from low to high contrast while Marian was driving to California to meet Sam, mirrored her inner emotions to the viewers. This film, like other films by Alfred, also involved events around birds (Norman’s hobby – bird stuffing) and staircase (Arbogast’s death).
“Psycho” is a cinematic masterpiece and has been extensively examined by critics and academics worldwide. In 1992, as the Library of Congress recognised its cultural and historical significance and was subsequently chosen for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
Why is this film a must watch? As you delve into the twisted world of Marian and Norman, accompanied by Herrmann’s spine tingling music score and Hitchcock’s masterful direction, you will find yourself on a cinematic journey unlike any other. I can guarantee that Psycho will give you heart pounding moments, making your Halloween movie night an unforgettable one. I hope that all of you enjoy watching this film!
Written by - Annie Antony
Edited by - Devanshi Panda
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