Review of Psycho (2007) by Campbell P — 05 Oct 2015

Horror movies are a very special genre because of how they can scare viewers and make a memorable experience. Movies like Psycho leave a lasting effect that left me in awe. I'm a horror film fan, but don't let the scary element drive you away from seeing Psycho.

There's a really great story that surrounds all the fear and suspense that lurks in this film's atmosphere. The story follows Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh), a real estate agent who runs off with $40,000 to start a new life for herself.

When the night begins and the darkness starts to take shape, Marion stops to rest at the Bates Hotel. There she meets Norman Bates (played by Anthony Perkins), a man who seems to have an obsession with his mother and acts quite peculiar.

From then on its a tale of what goes down at the Bates Motel. I can't start talking about this film without not mentioning Anthony Perkins's performance as fractured Bates. He is EXTREMELY creepy and unsettling but he's so interesting and peculiar that I just instantly attached to him.

Norman is a fractured man that has a hard time interacting with others due to the loss of his beloved mother. He openly shows that he's lonely and has a hard time getting by but is able to change his attitude and form at any time with the events he experiences.

One thing can make him unsettlingly happy or something can really upset him and further proves this as he states "we all go a little mad sometimes". I'm still freaked out by the character and it's been a while after viewing.

Janet Leigh was really good as the main character and is also interesting by the way that she wants to change her life and move on from what she has. She wants to get away and start a new life for herself.

After speaking to Norman about what her plans are and hears her words repeated from his mouth she reveals to herself that this isn't the right decision. In a way, a main character like Norman actually is used as a foil to show how sane everyone else should feel despite how they feel about themselves.

Hitchcock created some really intense suspense filled scenes throughout the entire movie really. Any scene where the hotel is the background, really had me on edge and nervous for something to happen.

Hitchcock really shines with his directing style here with his camerawork styles and his unique shots that he used like in the shower sequence where there are quick cuts back and forth to show the brutality at different angles.

The unforgettable score also adds to this overall creepiness that this film portrays and makes a scene scarier easily. Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is a fantastic horror movie because of the way that it left me with an unsettled feeling after viewing and that's what horror/thriller movies are for.

The cast was great along with the score and the characters overall. Fantastic suspense and memorable scenes make this movie what it is and that is a classic. A.