IMDb > Psycho III (1986)
Psycho III
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Psycho III (1986) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Psycho III (1986) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
4.8/10   3,883 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Contact:
View company contact information for Psycho III on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 July 1986 (USA) more
Tagline:
Unlock the Terror. Unlock the Fear. And enter into the All New Nightmare of... more
Plot:
Norman Bates is still running his little motel, and he has kept the dressed skeleton he calls mother... more | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(12 articles)
MattFini's Halloween Top 10 Lists: Best Sequels
 (From Dread Central. 28 October 2009, 4:33 PM, PDT)

A Conversation with Katt Shea
 (From Fangoria. 20 October 2009, 2:07 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
"Norman Bates directs Norman Bates," more (82 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Psicosis 3 (USA: Spanish title)
Psicosis III (USA: Spanish title)
more
Runtime:
93 min | Australia:90 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Spain:18 | Iceland:16 | Italy:VM18 | UK:15 (re-rating) (2003) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1988) | Australia:MA (re-release) | Australia:R | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1986) | France:-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1986) | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Anthony Perkins originally suggested the film be shot in black and white but Universal opposed it. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Maureen Coyle: There is no God!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Psycho Legacy (2009) more
Soundtrack:
The Scream Of Love more

FAQ

Who is the murderer, and why?
What's the truth behind Norman's parentage?
more
11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
"Norman Bates directs Norman Bates,", 29 April 2007
6/10
Author: turboshark from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

...read the introduction of Psycho III on TV. I was excited to watch Anthony Perkins's directorial debut, but I must say that this film had so much more potential to be better than it was.

Psycho III in several ways, is better than Psycho II. It reveals much more about Norman as a person, not just a crazy old man with a mental illness. Anthony Perkins once told David Letterman of the Psycho franchise that "They're not really horror movies. They're tragedies." I really felt sympathy for Norman in this sequel above all the others. There is not a better word to describe everything about Norman than tragic.

Psycho III contains a lot of 'familar' scenes. The bell tower scene at the beginning inspired from Vertigo, when Norman's 'girlfriend' Maureen fell down the stairs of the home, done exactly the same way Detective Arbogast fell in the original film; 'floaty' like. After Norman 'saved' Maureen from her attempt at suicide, they have a quick heart-to-heart, in which Norman says "We all go a little mad sometimes," a famous quote from the original. Clearly Perkins wanted to pay homage to the Master of Suspense.

On to his performance - wonderful as always, but I can't help noticing that a lot of the Bates trademark movements and facial expressions were brought back in this sequel, some unnecessarily so. Sometimes it seemed as if Norman was parodying himself. Jeff Fahey as Duke, a musician with a cocky surfer boy personality was an interesting contrast.

Overall, I think Perkins should be given more credit. Sure, it isn't perfect - but I think it has a lot more heart. I think if certain scenes were removed, it would have been a lot better, particularly the end of the film where he brings back the infamous grinning 'stare.' It counteracts with what Norman overcame only a scene ago. But Psycho III doesn't deserve such a low rating. It's definitely worth a look - but don't expect a masterpiece. 6/10.

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Parts that made you laugh. *spoilers* NINForLife
What the hell. gisela-jordan
Psycho III Complete Soundtrack on CD Petition JackForrester
I wish he would have killed that reporter mycherryMOON
If you worked on this film... thepsychomovies
Girl in bathroom... mjskadahl
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