Review of Psycho III (1986) by Bill B — 21 Oct 2010

An young woman by the name of Maureen Coyle (Diana Scarwid) was training to be an nun but she has lost her faith. Also she tries to commit suicide, one nun tries to save her but she died accidentally. She leaves the convent and search for an new life. Norman Bates (The late Anthony Perkins) tries to live an normal life and trying to run his motel. But he hears his late mother talking in his head again. When an sleazy wannabe Rock & Roll singer by the name by Dwayne Duke (Jeff Fahey) decides to take an job at the Bates Motel, just working long enough to get some money to get to Los Angeles. But when Norman meets Maureen at the diner, it reminds Norman of his previous victim Marion Crane (The late Janet Leigh). When she decides to stay at his motel for the night and Norman is dressing up like his mother to kill Maureen. But Maureen tries to commit suicide and Norman ended up saving her. But when an obnoxious noisy reporter (Robert Maxwell) is bothering Norman and she is trying to find out, what happen to Emma Spool, who claimed to be Norman's mother.

Directed by Perkins, this is an enjoyable dark comedy with some slasher 80's moments but it's lacks mystery and suspense of "Psycho" and "Psycho 2". Perkins is game as always as Norman Bates and he has some humorous moments. Scarwid and Fahey did good job on their roles. While Maxwell does her part well but she is kinda annoying in the movie. Although an minor box office disappointment. "Psycho 3" went on to have an cult following. As his directorial debut, Perkins directed some stylish sequences and he gives tributes to the first "Psycho".

In the end "Psycho 3" does have its ups and downs but it is certainly amusing for die-hard fans of the series. On a side note, originally the script by Charles Edward Pogue was much darker. Dwayne Duke was a killer, who was obsessed with Norman and Maureen Coyle was going to be the new psychologist for Norman. In some ways, that version of that movie, if it was made. It could be been better but Universal rejected the ideas. Some film critics and fans of the series certainly liked "Psycho 3" more than "Psycho 2". So judge it for yourself.