#18 - Psycho II (1983)
Alright, so today we’re gonna talk about Psycho 2, which, if you’re anything like me, you probably assumed would be a total disaster. I mean, come on—it’s the sequel to Psycho, one of the most iconic horror movies of all time! Who thought making a sequel to a Hitchcock masterpiece 22 years later was a good idea? But here’s the thing—Psycho 2 is actually way better than it has any right to be, and I’m just as shocked as you are.
First of all, let’s talk about Anthony Perkins. This guy owns the role of Norman Bates. I was worried that bringing him back would feel like a cheap nostalgia grab, but nah—he absolutely nails it. Perkins gives Norman so much more depth this time around. He’s just gotten out of a mental institution after 22 years, and you actually feel for the guy. They play with the whole “is he still crazy, or is he really reformed?” angle, and it’s way more compelling than you’d expect. You actually end up rooting for Norman, which is wild considering he’s, you know, a murderer.
The movie’s tone is super interesting, too. It’s not just a slasher sequel that’s trying to cash in on the original’s legacy. It’s more of a psychological thriller that’s actually exploring Norman’s character in a meaningful way. You get this slow build where the movie keeps you guessing—is Norman being gaslit? Is he starting to lose it again? It’s surprisingly tense, and there’s a real sense of dread hanging over the whole thing.
Now, I have to mention the direction. Obviously, no one’s gonna match Hitchcock, but Richard Franklin, the director, clearly studied the hell out of Hitchcock’s style. There’s some really well-done suspense in here, with these long, slow camera movements and tight close-ups that give off major Hitchcock vibes without feeling like a cheap copy. And when the kills do happen? They’re brutal but also restrained, more about building tension than just gore for the sake of it.
Oh, and let’s talk about the twists! There are so many little misdirections in this movie that keep you on your toes. You think you know where it’s going, and then—boom—it pulls the rug out from under you. Is it as iconic as the shower scene from the original? Obviously not. But the twists here are actually pretty solid, and by the end, it leaves you questioning everything. It’s surprisingly clever for a horror sequel.
One thing I was not expecting was how this movie plays with themes of forgiveness and redemption. Like, they really lean into the idea of whether Norman can be forgiven for his past, and whether society will let him move on. For a slasher sequel, it’s tackling some surprisingly heavy stuff. And the way they handle Norman’s internal struggle? It’s tragic, man. It gives the movie some emotional weight that most horror sequels don’t even bother with.
Now, don’t get me wrong—there’s some 80s cheese here, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. It’s got that weird blend of being both a product of its time and a surprisingly thoughtful follow-up to a classic. The supporting characters might be a little flat, but they serve their purpose, and the main focus is where it should be: on Norman Bates.
So yeah, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Psycho 2 is actually really good. It’s tense, well-acted, and gives Norman Bates a level of complexity you wouldn’t expect from a sequel that no one asked for. If you’re a fan of the original Psycho, give this one a shot—it might just surprise you like it did me.