Review of Psycho (1960) by Jordan A — 18 Jan 2013

This review contains spoilers.

Psycho is as close to perfect as film-making gets. I have been disappointed by so many horror classics, such as The Evil Dead trilogy, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, and Fright Night; I decided to lower my expectations before watching Hitchcock's critically acclaimed classic. Though I wasn't extremely interested until Marion arrived at the Bates Motel, it was quickly made clear to me why Psycho is known as one of the best horror films of all time. It is a terrifying, unforgettable, almost perfectly written, well-acted, well-directed, suspenseful masterpiece that definitely qualifies as one of the best films I have ever seen in my life. I actually had my jaw clenched throughout the film. That's not an exaggeration; Psycho is probably the most suspenseful films I have ever seen. The score was outstanding, the iconic violin screech was terrifying, even though I had seen it used humorously in many videos. The final scene with Norman Bates left me terrified, and... that smile... I was genuinely afraid to take a shower after seeing the film.