Alfred Hitchcock
Psycho

The 1960s is a pivotal year in the history of cinema. From this year onward, indeed, nothing would ever be the same again, as the 1960s marked a new revolution in the world of cinema (following those brought about by the advent of sound and color). In this case, the revolution is at the level of story and plot. It is from here that the nouvelle vagues and "modern" cinema were born.

The year 1960 will also be remembered as the year of "Psycho", the most distinctive film by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. The theme explored in the 110 minutes of film is one and one only: death. We can understand this from the outset, when the character of Norman Bates (a magnificent Anthony Perkins) is introduced, along with his peculiar hobby of stuffing birds (making something dead appear alive). Under the pretense of offering a sandwich (one of Hitchcock's passions was good food), our Norman meets the protagonist Marion, a secretary who has fled from her office with $40,000 stolen from a client and sought refuge in this abandoned hotel run by Norman. Marion's goal (played by Janet Leigh) is to meet up with her boyfriend to enjoy this sum to the fullest. Initially, it seems like we are in for either a love story or an action film. But that's not the case. The scene that changes and disrupts the film, elevating it to the ultimate horror-psychological film, is the infamous shower scene.

Think about it: to create this scene (a mere 45 seconds long), it took 7 days of work and 72 camera positions! The soundtrack brilliantly complements the terrified screams of poor Marion.

At this point, the film decisively shifts course; once the Marion chapter is closed, so too ends the personal story of the woman and her paranoia: from this moment, the real mystery unravels, and the viewer begins to question Norman and his mother, perhaps considered overly protective of her son. Gradually, sequence by sequence, the viewer is provided with some tools to uncover a crime kept secret and hidden for too long: the one committed by Norman’s schizophrenic son against Mrs. Bates ten years earlier. "Psycho" is therefore a film about psychology, about dual personality, and a great thriller that keeps the viewer glued to the screen until the end, until that smirk of Norman (a scene as famous as the shower scene) when he talks to himself (or with his mother?), encapsulating all his sick personality. Close the door, turn off the lights and enjoy this extraordinary film, where everything is frighteningly perfect and nothing is left to chance.

Finally, there's no point in mentioning all the garbage that has been created using this name, such as three sequels, a remake, and countless (often unnecessary) references that this film has, unfortunately, had to endure.