Review of Psycho (2007) by Matthew D — 23 Sep 2018

The archetypal slasher suspense thriller.

Psycho (1960) is the blueprint for excellent in scaring audiences with a murderer for good reason. This movie is just perfect all around. Alfred Hitchcock's own direction misleads viewers with each movement. He distracts us with side characters and clever hints in the dialogue. The camera work is lovely with long panning shots of environments, Steadicam shots of people, zoom in shots, bird's eye view, reflections in mirrors, and a number of other brilliant diversions courtesy of Hitchcock's mind. Psycho is not only beautifully filmed, but fascinating to look at in its dreary locations and creepy sets.

Bernard Herrmann's iconic score sets the tone for each scene with its loud stabs and haunting crescendos. Herrmann's music builds the atmosphere all its own and elevates already incredible filmmaking. It is no wonder every horror movie after Psycho tries to emulate its score. You will never forget these notes.

Anthony Perkins is the lead actor in Psycho. He truly gives the performance of his career. Perkins plays the Bates Motel owner Norman Bates with a quiet charm and sweet innocence, so that you, like the characters, would never suspect a thing. His dialogue is clever, but his delivery is even better spoken with Perkins' natural manner and inventive speech quirks. He makes interesting choices with his tender voice, vocal trembles, nervous hand motions, awkward stance, walking gait, and dark eye glares that all culminate in a legendary performance. This is peak acting from Perkins in a very respectable role. I wish he had been given more roles after Psycho, but unfortunately, audiences could not shake the image of him as Norman Bates out of their heads. I can see why. Anthony Perkins is inspired in Psycho. He gave us everything in this one role.

Janet Leigh is really engaging as the main actress as well as Vera Miles as her sister. They are both lovely and play scared with believable shrieks and uneasy glances. I think they both gave it all whenever they are on screen.

Overall, the short length, quick pace, eerie setting, top tier acting, lovely cinematography, and fearsome innovation all work together to ensure that Psycho remains an all time classic horror film. There is no other film quite like Psycho. Everyone tries in vain to replicate its genius.