It’s been called unequivocally “the best horror film all time” which leaves people who watch it “certain never to be the same again”. Not only that, but it features one of the most famous scenes in cinema and is also said to have “one of the most unexpected, underrated gems in sequel history” — which differentiates it from the usual disappointing horror sequels.
When the “masterpiece” was released, to crank up the hype and suspense no one was allowed to enter the cinema once the film had started, and it’s been credited with having invented modern horror and spawned the huge slasher franchises of later years like Halloween and Friday the 13th.
Psycho is probably Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous film. It was based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch, who was reportedly saw true terror in the fact that a killer “could be the person sitting next to you”.
Legendary film critic Mark Kermode recounts how Bloch was inspired to write the book by the real-life case of Ed Gein, a seemingly ordinary loner from middle America who was in fact a murderer who made ornaments and clothing from the skin of people he’d killed and was also said to be the inspiration for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
“But it was Anthony Perkins’s maternally obsessed misfit in Psycho who most perfectly distilled the modern fear of the monster who looks just like you,” wrote Kermode in The Guardian.
Psycho came out in 1960 and starred Perkins as Norman Bates, a seemingly shy hotel owner, and Janet Leigh as a woman on the run who checks into the hotel having stolen thousands of pounds from her employer.
She is the star of the so-called “shower scene”, one of cinema’s most iconic, which made people terrified to use the shower in the same way that Jaws made people terrified of going in the sea. The shower scene and its unmistakable soundtrack of screeching violins, is so famous that it has spawned conspiracy theories, books and documentaries around whether Leigh was really in the shower and even that it was directed by someone other than Hitchcock.
What’s definitely not disputed is that it is one of the most famous murder scenes in cinema. Few films even have a credible claim to match it, perhaps only the likes of The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas and Kill Bill among them.
What people say about Psycho
Pyscho has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the highest-rated movies ever. It is rated 8.5 out of 10 on IMDB. Writing in the Horror Movie Club Podcast, Brian Bisesi said “Anthony Perkins’ iconic performance makes Norman Bates one of the most indelible villains in cinematic history”.
Mark Kermode in The Guardian said: “After half a century of terror, Psycho is still ensuring that no one feels safe in the shower.”
Ranking it the 81st best film of all time, Empire said: “Imagine what it would’ve been like to go and see Psycho in 1960. No late entry to the multiplex. Virtually no marketing beyond some shots of the Bates Motel and some old house overlooking it.
“And then, for the entire opening act, you think you’ve got it all figured out — it’s a good old-fashioned noir! Janet Leigh’s on the lam with a bunch of her boss’ money and heading for a new life. And then she stops at that motel from the promos, meets the strange-but-nice-enough Norman Bates and hops in the shower.
“Then suddenly STAB! goes a knife. STAB! goes Bernard Hermann’s piercing string score. And again, and again, and again. And from that moment on, you’re rooted to your seat, in thrall to a madman… and certain to never be the same again. One of the best horror movies ever made, Hitchcock’s monochromatic masterwork is pure cinema! (Also, don’t sleep on Psycho II, one of the most unexpected, underrated gems in sequel history!)”
Most famous murder scenes in cinema history
What rivals the Psycho shower scene as the most famous murder scene in cinema? It’s hard to think of a single more iconic killing scene anywhere in movie history, but perhaps these come closest.
Goodfellas: One of the most traumatic openings to any film, Goodfellas begins with the murder of Billy Batts in the boot of a car as the narrator says: “As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster.”
Pulp Fiction: In the apartment shootout, Jules and Vincent shoot and kill Brett after delivering the iconic “And you will know my name is the law…” speech.
The Godfather Part II: Fredo Corleone is murdered on a boat while out fishing as his brother, Michael, watches on from the shore after learning he is the family traitor.
Reservoir Dogs: The torture of the kidnapped police officer in Reservoir Dogs is so relentless the camera actually pans away from the action at the pivotal “ear-slicing” moment.
The Departed: The shooting of Billy Costigan was so sudden and unexpected that cinema audiences literally gasped in shock.
Psycho is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV (from £3.49) and Google Play (from £2.49).