Soci-Cultural Influences in Psycho

Psycho was a film in which emulated the time period of the 1950s. The many different aspects of the film such as mystery, non-linear narrative, dark tone and its theme playing around with the concept of multiple identity appealed to the mass audiences. One of the film's primary theme included that challenges of the "American way of life" (Hitchcock's America). During this era, America was getting closer and closer to war with Russia, in which eventually lead up to the prime years of the Cold War. Within Psycho, Hitchcock utilized this situation as an influence and expresses this historical issue through the character of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh). Within the preliminary stages of this film, Marion is portrayed as a character who initially appears to have good morals, but inside she surrenders her conscious that tells her to pocket the $40,000 from her work and start a whole new life. She soon disregards all her personal principles and gives up her reputation to get the chance to live the American dream with her soon to be husband. However, this bold attempt does acquire many consequences. Marion's death, in a way, symbolizes the shock in society. Hitchcock stated that no matter how sane or pure society may be, when the opportunity arises, a second persona comes alive that makes quick, irrational decisions that can haunt you forever. As Marion is running away with the stolen money, the voices in her head are her second persona that creates events that have not yet occurred. The echo of those voices signify that they keep coming back no matter how much Marion tries to ignore them.

Psycho takes place in Phoenix Arizona and the Bates Motel should be located somewhere near the area of California or Nevada. Although the geographical area itself did not have any significance to the story or any underlying message, the secluded location of the Bates Motel as well as Marion Crane's drive on the isolated freeway can convey her emotions of loneliness. By stealing the $40,000 she is trying to fulfill that emptiness and the thoughts of being with her boyfriend, yet she realizes that that can never be.



One highly significant inspiration within Psycho would be a man known as Ed Gein. This American murderer and body snatcher eventually led to the creation of the character Norman Bates, the primary antagonist who essentially surrounds the central conflict. Bates, who is introduced as a kind, simple young man actually turns out to be a disturbed murderer. There is some significance behind the casting of Anthony Perkins as the killer. Making the killer with unsuspecting characteristics, would draw less suspicions towards Bates as the killer. Hitchcock did this to create more of a shock factor once the true killer is revealed during the twist. Even though the audience suspects him for being Marion Crane's murderer, he still remains a sympathetic character. For example, Bates cleans up any sign of Marion's murder in the shower, puts her in trunk of her car, and drives off to a nearby swamp to sink it. While the car is sinking, there is a small halt in its movement. Viewers feel, just for a moment, that it is not going to sink and we see that through Bates' reaction. This moment can be a clear indication that we want that car to sink, for Norman's sake. Therefore, the audience begins to feel sympathetic towards Bates and want to see him get away with this. Given that this is a manipulation by Hitchcock, it is an indication that there is an evil side to everyone.  

In the evolution of genre, Psycho can be considered as a "classic" due to how it utilized primitive techniques from past films, but it managed to tell a story like no one had seen come together before. Psycho is well known as a watershed film, that of which left a legacy behind due to the way it highly affected the film industry and immensely changed the way people look at the horror genre. The reason people look back at the film today is not only for the study of its structure, but also for enjoyment, which evidently makes Psycho indeed a "classic."