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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

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:

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

Anthony Perkins and Psycho III (1986) screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue originally pitched an idea for Psycho IV that had Norman's house and motel getting turned into a tourist attraction for horror weekends. Norman then escapes from the mental institution with a mute patient and the actor who was set to play Norman Bates for the horror weekend quits and Norman comes home and gets hired to play himself. Pogue claims that it was meant to be a black comedy but Universal opposed the idea.

---

Goofs

In the first murder scene when Norman checks on 'Mother' (which is a corpse) from over her shoulder, mother's corpse is blinking and moving during a behind shot.

---

Quotes

[last lines]
Mother: Let me out of here! Norman! You hear me, boy? LET ME OUT!

---

Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Wacko (2018)

User Reviews

Perkins is Psycho one last time.

This last sequel is actually a prequel. Anthony Perkins in his last moments and remaining years gives his last performance as Norman Bates. His sickness didn't spoil the movie, however, at the end it wasn't exactly a grand finale worthy of the original. Instead the movie seems to be expecting yet another sequel which will never be. Watch this made for cable movie if you want to know the whole story.