Why the classic horror film "Psycho" failed to scare me？

So Strange

When asked about classic horror movies, most movie fans would certainly mention "Psycho".

Perhaps they will tell you that this is a movie that has scared countless people.

They will probably also mention that Alfred Hitchcock, the person behind the movie and the master of suspense, even established rules upon its release: no admittance to the theater after the movie has started, and no spoilers allowed after watching.

Does that convince you that it will definitely be scary and exciting?

Many years ago, via the strong recommendation of a friend (who is a movie fan), I went to see this movie.

I watched the movie from beginning to end without any interruptions, strictly adhering to Alfred Hitchcock's requirements. However, to my surprise, I was not scared at all: I found the slow pace to be boring.

Why is that?

The Excitements No Longer Exciting

Initially, I suspected that my own understanding was to blame. Had I missed some details? After collecting some film reviews, I found that all of them emphasized the bathroom murder scene and described it as a masterpiece.

They all praised the creativity of this scene and the complexity of its filming. This 48-second segment was first drawn on storyboards by Saul Bass (who worked with Hitchcock on the opening titles for "Vertigo" and "North by Northwest"), and Hitchcock and the production team carefully planned 78 shots and took a whole week to film (the final product was not exactly the same as the storyboards).

This scene received praise for avoiding any sensitive imagery or depictions of knives piercing the body. However, its horror effect was heightened to an unprecedented level through the comprehensive application of montage, mise en scene, pace, lighting, and sound effects.

I watched this segment repeatedly and admitted that everything they said was correct. I could feel the director's intentions in designing this segment. I also appreciate the director's creativity, which makes this murder scene a unique one compared to other movies.

However, all that are marvelous are seen through the processes, not the result.

A movie is a medium through which the director conveys ideas to the audience. The audience's emotional response is the result of this exchange. However, even if I have watched it repeatedly, I don’t feel scared at all.

What about the story? The biggest suspense of the movie revolves around Norman, a mentally ill patient with a complex personality. To be honest, the narrative is clever and spark my curiosity, but still it fails to engage me.

Why does this boring movie receive so many good reviews? After researching all night, I found some possible answers.

What Causes The Difference?

Perhaps it's due to the difference in era.

The film was shot in the late 1950s, when Americans had emerged from the shadow of World War II and shifted their focus to family life. Most people firmly believed that home was a safe place. However, in the movie, the female protagonist, Lila Crane, who has just barely evaded the search of police and returned to her comfortable home, is murdered by a psycho dressed as her mother. This is akin to a soldier who survived battles in World War II and avoided the horrors of atomic bombs and other terrifying explosions, only to be killed by a psycho disguised as his mother on the way home. From this perspective, the story is indeed very terrifying and accurately captured the fears in people's hearts at that time.

Another reason is deconstruction.

According to many textbooks, Hitchcock makes a breakthrough in the film by manipulating audience’s emotion through the skillful use of montage, giving the latter a pure and unfiltered cinematographic experience. In simple terms, it aims to stimulate the audience through visual and auditory methods, rather than relying on the plot. I believe this breakthrough is exemplified in the bathroom murder scene of the movie.

This classic scene has been imitated by filmmakers of later generations, which triggered the trend of psycho killer movies and "slasher movies" in the 1970s and 1980s, such as "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre". In these movies, the psycho killer often wields a knife, axe, or other weapon, and randomly chases innocent people. Another example is the famous "Scream" series, which was so popular that it not only produced 6 films, but also led to the spoof series called "Scary Movie", which has five installments.

It's worth mentioning that there's a movie called "High Anxiety" that spoofs Hitchcock specifically.

Similar scenes also appear in "The Big Bang Theory."

Someone has even designed a shower curtain that allows you to experience the iconic horror scene from "Psycho" every time you take a shower.

Similar to Darwin's theory of evolution, each deconstruction is a new exploration of it. On one hand, film techniques left by Hitchcock have been absorbed by directors and constantly modified. On the other hand, these changes have made a difference our minds. After all, even the most mediocre horror films may have borrowed Hitchcock's techniques. It is these deconstructions that prevent us from feeling the same terror brought by "Psycho" from the perspective of the 1960s.

The Significance Of Old Movies

After conducting several investigations into "Psycho", I have come to understand the significance of classic old movies. Although the sensory experience of watching them may not be the same as it was in the past, they are not merely for entertainment. Rather, they are a cultural heritage and an important part of art.

Just as we study ancient species to understand the origins of the many different organisms we have today, classic old movies can reveal the original form of movies. By examining old movies, we can perceive the developmental process of movies.

Moreover, a movie from a certain era can reflect different worldviews, values, aesthetics, and fashions of the times. By appreciating old movies as a window to observe that era, we can gain a richer understanding of our current life.

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