Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)

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

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 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.

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Plot Keywords:

prequel | double murder | strychnine | cross dressing | spying on couple having sex | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Psycho IV: The Beginning

Filming Locations:

Orlando, Florida, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Smart Money Productions, Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Anthony Perkins saw the first screening of the film, he called it the best out of all the Psycho sequels.

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Goofs

In Psycho II, Norman says that he was 12 years old when he murdered his mother. In this film, he is at least 15.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Follows Psycho II (1983)

User Reviews

Good Acting All Around

I started not to watch this movie, but didn't get up to change channels once I saw the ever-talented C.C. Pounder as the radio host. I have long admired Tony Perkins since I saw him years ago in "Phaedra" with Melina Mercouri. I also saw the original "Psycho" and the unnecessary remake with Anne Heche and Vince Vaughan.

The movie was rather interesting because of the premise. Many people probably wondered why Norman Bates turned out the way he did. This movie explains it, sort of. Incest always disturbs me and I felt very uneasy during those scenes between mother and son. What a fool Mrs. Bates was to ignore the fact that her son was maturing and that his sexual awakening was inevitable. Olivia Hussey was appropriately weird as the mother and Henry Thomas was astounding as young Norman. I had never seen him before, but hope to see more of him in the future.

C.C. Pounder turned in another sterling performance, as expected, but John Landis showed that he's no Sidney Pollack, shifting from director to actor, giving an amatuerish, high school calibre performance.

Anthony Perkins probably consented to do this because he is so closely associated with the "Psycho" legend and wanted this to be apart of it. His performance was first rate.

Now, let's keep an eye out for HENRY THOMAS. He has the stuff to become a big star.