PSYCHO image analysis

This scene from PSYCHO (1960) first introduces the mother of the narrative who has only been hinted at before. The dark silhouette of Norman’s mother connotes evil and conceals her true identity, therefore prolonging the suspense of the film. This image could be a point of view shot from Marion when the curtain is pulled back, drawing us into the situation as if we are the victim. The streams of light across the silhouette emphasises the split personality of good and evil, concealing the person’s identity even more. This split personality can also be described as shizophrenia as Norman is half himself and half his mother.

The use of the knife as a phallic weapon emphasises the sexual orientation of Marion’s murder. This scene is preceded by a slower montage of Marion undressed and showering, before the sudden collision cut to the very fast shots within the shower scene montage. This creates a contrast between the two scenes and builds up the tension and then panic for the audience. For the editing and cinematography Hitchcock was influenced by Soviet Montage films such as Battleship Potemkin (1924) that use editing to create tension. This is reviewed by critic Andrew Sarris who did work on “Auteur Theory” which reviews the ‘style’ director’s use throughout their films that make them an auteur. Hitchcock’s clever use of montage is one of the key reasons that make him an auteur in the eyes of society.