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Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)

R | | Horror, Mystery, Thriller | TV Movie 10 November 1990
Psycho IV: The Beginning Poster
Norman Bates recalls his childhood with his abusive mother while fearing his unborn child will inherit his split personality disorder.

Director:

Mick Garris

Writers:

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

Stars:

Anthony Perkins, CCH Pounder, Henry Thomas | See full cast & crew »
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Reviews
Popularity
4,163 ( 157)
1 nomination. See more awards »

Photos

See all 38 photos »
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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 Tom Schuster ... Chet Rudolph (as Thomas Schuster)
Sharen Camille Sharen Camille ... Holly
Bobbi Evors Bobbi Evors ... Gloria
John Landis ... Mike Calveccio
Kurt Paul Kurt Paul ... Raymond Linette
Louis Crume Louis Crume ... George Emeric
Cynthia Garris ... Ellen Stevens
Doreen Chalmers Doreen Chalmers ... Mrs. Lane
Alice Hirson ... Mother (voice)
See full cast »
Edit

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 PSYCHO fears that he may kill again for his beloved is impregnated with his child and Norman cannot let another PSYCHO loose in the civilized world. Written by Eric Creed

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

prequel | double murder | strychnine | cross dressing | spying on couple having sex | See All (104) »

Taglines:

Before the terror can end, see how it all began... See more »

Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and sensuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1990 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Psycho IV: The Beginning See more »

Filming Locations:

Orlando, Florida, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Smart Money Productions, Universal Television See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first film to be filmed at Universal Studios in Florida. See more »

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. See more »

Quotes

Fran Ambrose: Did your mother ever catch you spying on her?
Norman Bates: God knows what she would've done to me.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs: Joe Bob's Red Christmas: Black Christmas (2019) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

Another good addition to the Psycho series.
25 April 2001 | by marcfantozzi – See all my reviews

Psycho IV: The Beginning was an enjoyable movie in my opinion. I really loved the character Fran Ambrose and CCH Pounder's performance. This film is quite disturbing at times, but I think it's a nice touch. I just don't understand why this film was made only for cable. It was decent, and far above average for a made for TV/straight to video film. As with all sequels, this film does seem to have some plot holes and continuity errors, but it is, in general a decent sequel to Hitchcock's masterpiece. I think that Psycho II was the best sequel in the series, but I like Psycho III and IV the same. They are all great films. Also this film is nowhere near as violent or bloody as Psycho III.

A great TV movie. With a few minor changes, you wouldn't know that this was made for TV!!

Highly recommended!
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