The framing of the story from the past to the present of Norman’s life absolutely cripples any sense of pacing that the movie could’ve had. The flashback scenes are wrought with over the top melodrama that is also overwritten and completely unnecessary information given that we’re aware of basically everything that happens here. There’s probably an okay/decent movie here if the story solely focused on Norman in the present, rather than spending the majority of the runtime on past events that we already knew about. 
Even still, the performances by Anthony Perkins, Olivia Hussey, and Warren Frost are solid. This being one of Perkins’s final performances before passing away does make the ending sequence a lot more poignant, but it just makes me wish the plot had more to offer him aside from calling into a radio show for the majority of the runtime.

The framing of the story from the past to the present of Norman’s life absolutely cripples any sense of pacing that the movie could’ve had. The flashback scenes are wrought with over the top melodrama that is also overwritten and completely unnecessary information given that we’re aware of basically everything that happens here. There’s probably an okay/decent movie here if the story solely focused on Norman in the present, rather than spending the majority of the runtime on past events that we already knew about. 
Even still, the performances by Anthony Perkins, Olivia Hussey, and Warren Frost are solid. This being one of Perkins’s final performances before passing away does make the ending sequence a lot more poignant, but it just makes me wish the plot had more to offer him aside from calling into a radio show for the majority of the runtime.

One of my favorite parts is the death of Mrs Bates (well, spoiler tag in case but can you really spoil a prequel?). I’m just drawn in by Olivia Hussey’s acting in that scene. She does a great job of showing sadness and fear of being killed by her own son while acting as if she is in her last moments. It’s kind of a heartbreaking scene if you ask me.

…And then a lame jump scare ruins it. C’mon, Mick Garris.

Still, I feel this was a good way to wrap up this entire franchise. Although not gonna lie, I am curious what a legacy sequel about the now grown up child of Norman would look like. Naaah, let that stay in my imagination. Don’t get any ideas, Blumhouse!

One of my favorite parts is the death of Mrs Bates (well, spoiler tag in case but can you really spoil a prequel?). I’m just drawn in by Olivia Hussey’s acting in that scene. She does a great job of showing sadness and fear of being killed by her own son while acting as if she is in her last moments. It’s kind of a heartbreaking scene if you ask me.

…And then a lame jump scare ruins it. C’mon, Mick Garris.

Still, I feel this was a good way to wrap up this entire franchise. Although not gonna lie, I am curious what a legacy sequel about the now grown up child of Norman would look like. Naaah, let that stay in my imagination. Don’t get any ideas, Blumhouse!

I can’t believe the real psycho of the franchise is those damn stairs in that house. I’m sure they've killed more people than Norman.

I can’t believe the real psycho of the franchise is those damn stairs in that house. I’m sure they've killed more people than Norman.

I’m always the first to support women’s rights and wrongs but Mrs Bates is crazy.

I’m always the first to support women’s rights and wrongs but Mrs Bates is crazy.

For a made for TV movie, I expected far, far worse yet it’s actually really good. Nothing groundbreaking but it’s an enjoyable watch and Anthony Perkins is just brilliant. I have a feeling we’d have a lot more Psycho films.

For a made for TV movie, I expected far, far worse yet it’s actually really good. Nothing groundbreaking but it’s an enjoyable watch and Anthony Perkins is just brilliant. I have a feeling we’d have a lot more Psycho films.