Proof that pre-1970's horror existed

Rating: 10/10 (18 April 2007)

Arguably the most famous horror movie in the history of cinema, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho still stands up well today, despite the numerous parodies of the movie, most notably the shower scene.
Though I was unfortunate enough to stumble upon the ending, where one discovers the identity of the killer- Norman Bates donned in women's clothing, Psycho was still very likable.
The film's greatest strength for me, was Norman Bates- one of the greatest villains in movie history. Unlike countless horror movies, the villain of Psycho isn't one-dimensional and though a villain he many be, one grows to sympathize with him, and almost like him. A unfortunate childhood and misguided personality, just barely described toward the end, is where the real suspense kicks in. Finishing with a dark glare from Bates, the viewer is left feeling confused and terrified for even after the killer is revealed, why he really murdered who he murdered is left merely half explained.
The viewer can grapple for answers all they like, but it is unlikely that they find the true answers to all the questions that float around in their head after the screen has faded to black, which gives Psycho an ingredient that places it above the likes of Halloween, Friday the 13th or even The Shining and is enough proof that Alfred Hitchcock will always be THE master of suspense.