Review of Psycho (2007) by Alex R — 28 Nov 2012

In 1960 Alfred Hitchcock created one of the most enduring horror films in the history of cinema. This is a film that influenced a generation of filmmakers and spawned an entire new genre of horror, the Slasher film.

What keeps you involved in the film, what keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish is the lead performance of Anthony Perkins as the tormented psychopathic motel manager Norman Bates. Norman Bates is one of the most iconic horror villains in the genre and cinema in general.

Mother of Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh plays Bates' victim Marion Crane with flair, and it's very easy to place her in the best scream queen list along with her daughter. The combination of horror packed into a thriller is immaculate, brilliant.

Alfred Hitchcock hones his craft perfectly with this chiller, and the tone and atmosphere along with the timeless Shower scene is what makes this picture truly unforgettable. The acting is terrific, flawless and chilling.

Anthony Perkins is absolutely bone chilling in the lead role, and his silent, kind nature adds to his disturbing, psychotic mental instability, and it makes this film stand out. Psycho remains a fresh experience every time you watch it and kit never gets old.

The shocks, horror and tension are always there, and it's what keeps you riveted from the first frame onwards. This film is a must see for cinema and horror buffs alike, and there's many aspects of the film that will terrify you in some ways , but with effective storytelling, great performances and wonderful directing, Psycho is a landmark picture, one that set the standards for shocks and genuine terror for many years to come.

After seeing this, you'll most likely think twice about taking a shower in a motel room in the middle of nowhere again. This is a work of genius, and one that no viewer should pass up.