

1990·Horror·1h 36m
6.7
★










When he hears talk radio host Fran Ambrose discussing the topic of matricide, Norman calls in under a false name to tell his story.
Directed by Mick Garris
psychopath
motel
sequel
flashback
murder
serial killer
cross dressing
voyeurism
radio dj

Trailer

IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch



Cast

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

Sharen Camille
Holly

John Landis
Mike Calveccio

Cynthia Garris
Ellen Stevens

Alice Hirson
Mother (voice)

Peggy O'Neal
Nurse
Crew

Mick Garris
Director

Graeme Revell
Original Music Composer

Rodney Charters
Director of Photography

Les Mayfield
Producer

Tony Gardner
Makeup Artist

Robert Bloch
Characters

Lex D. Geddings
Stunts

Glenn R. Wilder
Stunt Coordinator

Doc Duhame
Stunt Coordinator

Bernard Herrmann
Music

Tony Gardner
Makeup Effects
Popular Reviews
136 reviews
Ben Tactay
4.0★ · 05/17/26

so many people were so into eye fucking a literal teenager in this
so many people were so into eye fucking a literal teenager in this
Ennie Emik
7.0★ · 05/14/26

When you say mother's boy I don't think that's what it meant...
When you say mother's boy I don't think that's what it meant...
Adam Murray
3.0★ · 05/13/26

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.
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.
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.
Jake McCoy
7.0★ · 05/07/26

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!
…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!
…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!
ben furness
7.0★ · 02/19/26

This was even that bad, I really loved how we got a backstory to how Norman Bates became. I would love to watch this again, and I think when I do I will like it even more.
This was even that bad, I really loved how we got a backstory to how Norman Bates became. I would love to watch this again, and I think when I do I will like it even more.