Analysis Of Alfred Hitchcock's Film Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film Psycho redirected the entire horror genre, and in doing so dismantled the prudent 1950’s societal barriers of cinema. Although unseen for its potential by the large studios of the time, Psycho became one of the crowning achievements of film history. While based partially on a true story of murder and psychosis from Wisconsin, the widespread viewing of this tale made way for a new era of film and ushered in a new audience of movie goers. The use of violence, sexual explicitness, dramatic twists, sound, and cinematography throughout this film gave Hitchcock his reputable name and title as master of suspense. In 2018, reviews of films often are headlined with “the book was better.” But, in 1960 there was no such thing

It is full of foreshadowing, “Hotels like this aren’t interested when you come in but when your time is up…,” and sets the stage for the odd relationships and nature of the movie. In a time where the standard was the nuclear family, a risqué romance between two unmarried adults within just the opening pieces of the movie makes the audience somewhat appalled and intrigued. The sexual connotations and deviancy continues into the film as addressed in the parlor scene, just before Marion gets into the shower. Although this section of the film tends to get left behind by the shower scene, it really exemplifies the inner struggle that Norman faces with his sexual desires and his sexist attitudes toward women which were undoubtabley manifested in Norman by his mother. Norman even calls a woman a “doll” at one point. This serves as a mirrored view toward societies views on women and sexuality in the

People bolted for the doors and fainted in their seats. The mayhem caused one New York theater to call the cops and others to call for censorship.” But according to Steven Rebello, a film historian, “ticket holders standing in line grilled the patrons who poured out of the theater, laughing, outraged, shaken, who responded “You gotta see it for yourself!” With Psycho breaking through the societal barrier surrounding sex and violence, a new breed of horror film was