Psycho IV: The Beginning (TV 1990)

Norman Bates returns for this "prequel", once more having mommy trouble. This time around he is invited to share memories of mom with a radio talk show host, but the PYSCHO fears that he ... See full summary »

Director:

Mick Garris

Writers:

Joseph Stefano, Robert Bloch (based on characters created by)

Stars:

Anthony Perkins, Henry Thomas, Olivia Hussey

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Perkins	...	Norman Bates
Henry Thomas	...	Young Norman Bates
Olivia Hussey	...	Norma Bates
CCH Pounder	...	Fran Ambrose
Warren Frost	...	Dr. Leo Richmond
Donna Mitchell	...	Connie Bates
Tom Schuster	...	Chet Rudolph (as Thomas Schuster)
Sharen Camille	...	Holly
Bobbi Evors	...	Gloria
John Landis	...	Mike Calveccio
Kurt Paul	...	Raymond Linette
Louis Crume	...	George Emeric
Cynthia Garris	...	Ellen Stevens
Doreen Chalmers	...	Mrs. Lane
Alice Hirson	...	Mother (voice)

Storyline

Norman Bates returns for this "prequel", once more having mommy trouble. This time around he is invited to share memories of mom with a radio talk show host, but the PYSCHO fears that he may kill again for his beloved is impregnated with his child and Norman cannot let another PYSCHO loose in the civilized world.

---

Plot Keywords:

prequel | murder | voyeurism | child's point of view | homicidal maniac | 

---

Taglines:

You've met Norman... now meet mother.

---

Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Psicosis IV: El comienzo

Filming Locations:

Orlando, Florida, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Smart Money Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In real life tourist who visit Universal Studios in Florida can get close to the actual house that was used in the movie, but there's no motel on display.

---

Goofs

Young Norman Bates takes his dead mother out of the casket, hides the corpse in her room (to start the saga) and puts books instead as a weight. Yet in one of the previous Psycho movies, when years later police exhume his mother, they find a corpse in her casket and no books. However, it is presumable that, after discovering what Norman had done in the original film, they dug up the casket and put her dead body into the casket.

---

Quotes

Norman Bates: Shouldn't we be getting back to the focus of your show?
Fran Ambrose: Yeah, well, how did you, how did you kill your mother?
Norman Bates: Slowly.

---

Connections

Featured in Nightmares in Red, White and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film (2009)

User Reviews

Surprisingly good

Psycho IV was the swan song for America's favorite nutcase, as Anthony Perkins died of AIDS complications only a year or so after making it. But the character goes out in style.

In many ways it appears this film ignores the events of Psycho II and III in favor of a "where is he now" story which leads into a flashback that in part explains why Norman went crazy.

Tony Perkins gives a sympathetic performance as Norman. You actually feel sorry for him, particularly at the end (which I won't give away). Has he reformed? Is he still crazy?

Olivia Hussey, meanwhile, is marvelous as his insane mother. She's still one of the most underappreciated actresses in movies today, and there's a scene of her standing in a downpour in which she looks exactly like she did when she played Juliet back in 1968. Her scenes with Henry Thomas are full of tension -- including sexual tension, making much of this film an uncomfortable viewing experience. But you don't watch a Psycho movie to relax, do you? Argentine-born, British-raised Hussey also has one of the sexiest voices ever put on film -- although it's a bit odd hearing a midwestern woman having a British accent.

The rest of the supporting cast is also good, especially CCH Pounder as a talk radio host who attracts the attention of Norman.

My only real disappointment is they should have shot the flashbacks in black and white, as several scenes intentionally reflect the original film (Norman spies on his mother making love using the famous peep hole and also stabs a girl in much the same way (music included) that he killed Janet Leigh in the original film).

A fitting send off for one of the most terrifying characters in cinema history. I must go now ... my mother is calling me.