PSYCHO

In the 1950s, American society was shocked by the brutal crimes of Ed Gein - the Butcher of Plainfield - guilty of murdering at least two women. The dark portrait of a grave-robbing scavenger and a psychopath overly connected to his toxic mother, who created everyday items from human remains, fascinated writer Robert Bloch - author of the novel PSYCHO. The exquisite vision of screen macabre inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's reading gave cinema one of the greatest thrillers in history and the foundation for the slasher genre.

Secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) longs to cement a future with her lover Sam (John Gavin), but the man's debts prevent the couple from stabilising their life together. Desperate, she steals company money and flees, heading towards her unaware partner. Tormented by remorse and forced by the harsh weather conditions, she stays at the Bates Motel, away from the main road. The place is managed by Norman (played by Anthony Perkins), who is shy and dominated by his mother. During the night, while taking a shower, Marion is stabbed to death. Her disappearance and mysterious circumstances are pursued by her sister Lila (Vera Miles), Sam, and a private detective (Martin Balsam).

Here, masterful suspense goes hand in hand with a surprise that shatters and pushes the audience out of their comfort zone, culminating in an intense shower murder scene. Instead of gory effects, the film employs black-and-white frames to give the crimes a more subtle tone, allowing the audience's imagination to run wild. The effect would not be so striking if it were not for the penetrating violin music of composer Bernard Herrmann. Hitchcock builds fear with a psychological dimension, exposing evil in its purest form lurking within the complexities of a disturbed mind.  ‘We All Go a Little Mad Sometimes‘ - reminds the smiling Norman Bates on screen.

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Paula Apanowicz