Psycho (1998)
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A modern remake of a classic horror film explores the chilling consequences of a desperate crime and a mysterious motel.
The story
After a tense encounter with her boyfriend regarding his debts, real-estate secretary Marion Crane decides to steal a large cash payment intended for a bank deposit. She flees to a remote location, eventually stopping at the Bates Motel during a storm. There, she encounters the proprietor, Norman Bates, and begins to feel the weight of her crime. While seeking a moment of solace in the motel's facilities, she becomes the target of a mysterious and violent presence, setting off a chain of events involving the local community and those searching for the missing money.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Marion Crane steals $400,000 and flees to the Bates Motel, where she meets proprietor Norman Bates. After a tense interaction where Norman discusses his mother's 'illness,' Marion is attacked and murdered in the shower by a figure. Norman hides her body and the money. A week later, Marion's sister Lila and her boyfriend Sam hear of the theft and investigate the motel. They are joined by private investigator Milton Arbogast, who is also murdered by a figure resembling an elderly woman. When Sam and Lila arrive at the motel, they are confronted by Norman. Lila discovers the mummified corpse of Norman's mother in a cellar. It is revealed that Norman murdered his mother years ago and developed a split personality where 'Mother' takes over when he is near women. The film ends with Norman in a cell, hearing his mother's voice, while Marion's car is recovered from a swamp.
- First release year
- 1998
- Runtime (minutes)
- 104
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Gus Van Sant
- Writers
- Joseph Stefano · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Vince Vaughn · Norman Bates; Julianne Moore · Lila Crane; Viggo Mortensen; William H. Macy · Milton Arbogast; Anne Heche · Marion Crane
- Genres
- horror; thriller
- Themes
- identity; obsession
- Tone and mood
- suspenseful; disturbing
- Premise and plot tags
- remake; psychological thriller; slasher
- Source material / true-story basis
- Robert Bloch's 1959 novel
- Franchise connections
- Psycho
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received polarizing reviews from critics and was panned by audiences who criticized its similarities to the original.
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Director · 19th · win; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Actress · 19th · nomination
- Production trivia
- The score by Bernard Herrmann was reused with a new arrangement by Danny Elfman and Steve Bartek.; The film was intended as an experiment in appropriation by director Gus Van Sant.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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