Psycho (1960)

Psycho (1960), an American horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, was based on the eponymous 1959 novel by Robert Bloch. The screenplay, penned by Joseph Stefano, brought the chilling story to life. In it, Phoenix real estate secretary Marion Crane steals $40,000 from her employer after her boyfriend, Sam, laments his financial troubles are delaying their marriage. As she heads towards Fairvale, California in her car, a suspicious policeman prompts her to switch vehicles. When a heavy rainstorm forces Marion to seek shelter at the Bates Motel near Fairvale, she meets Norman Bates – the proprietor of both the motel and a grand Second Empire style house overlooking it. Using an alias name, Marion registers at the motel and joins Norman for a light meal in the office while he retrieves it from his house. But as she waits alone in the office, she overhears Norman arguing with his mother about his plans to dine with Marion.

After his return, Norman covers various topics such as his taxidermy hobby, his mother’s supposed illness, and the concept of individuals having a personal trap they yearn to escape from. Marion’s suggestion that his mother be institutionalized deeply offends him. As a result, she decides to drive back to Phoenix the next morning in order to return the stolen money. While taking a shower, an unidentified figure enters the bathroom and brutally stabs her to death. Upon investigating, Norman is horrified to find Marion’s lifeless body. In a state of panic, he quickly cleans up the murder scene before placing her body, belongings, and the stolen cash into her car and submerging it in a nearby swamp. A week later, Lila arrives in Fairvale and informs Sam about her sister’s theft while demanding answers regarding her whereabouts. Sam denies having any knowledge of Marion’s disappearance.