The Best Horror Movie Ever Made

Rating: 10/10 (5 November 2002)

Nobody was ever as good as Hitchcock. Nobody. And Hitch gets to show off the full scope of his directing talents with Psycho, his 1960 masterpiece of terror, suspense, drama and mystery. Drawing the audience in from the first scene, seriously screwing with their minds, then throwing them back out again, the Master of Suspense more than lives up to his prestigious title.
In a classic bit of directorial finesse, Hitchcock throws the audience for one of the biggest loops in movie history 50 minutes into the movie. Until then, the film has focused on Janet Leigh's character and the money-stealing plot. Who knew she would die so suddenly? From there the movie goes on to focus on the likable yet obviously troubled Norman Bates and his somewhat suspicious relationship with his mysterious mother.
Toying with our emotions like no one else could, Hitch forces us to root for Norman through the rest of the movie, even to a subconcious degree. We know that Norman is covering up a murder, but, admit it, when that car was sinking in the swamp and it stopped, you wanted it to go all the way down just as much as Norman, didn't you? Taken on an intellectual standpoint, this movie can make you question your morals, beliefs, and ethics. Or you can just relax and let it scare the hell out of you. Both ways are equally effective.
Words like "thrilling," and "disturbing" are thrown around a lot these days. However, this movie inarguably sets the standard by which "thrilling" and "disturbing" movies will forever be measured. It's a classic of filmmaking, and you cannot rightfully call yourself a movie buff until you have seen it. Be forewarned though - it may make you swear off showers for a lifetime.
(****/****)