Psycho IV: The Beginning backdrop
Psycho IV: The Beginning logo
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

Cast

Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins
Norman Bates
Henry Thomas
Henry Thomas
Young Norman Bates
Olivia Hussey
Olivia Hussey
Norma Bates
CCH Pounder
CCH Pounder
Fran Ambrose
Warren Frost
Warren Frost
Dr. Leo Richmond
Donna Mitchell
Donna Mitchell
Connie Bates
Sharen Camille
Sharen Camille
Holly
John Landis
John Landis
Mike Calveccio
Cynthia Garris
Cynthia Garris
Ellen Stevens
Alice Hirson
Alice Hirson
Mother (voice)
Peggy O'Neal
Peggy O'Neal
Nurse

Crew

Mick Garris
Mick Garris
Director
Graeme Revell
Graeme Revell
Original Music Composer
Rodney Charters
Rodney Charters
Director of Photography
Les Mayfield
Les Mayfield
Producer
Tony Gardner
Tony Gardner
Makeup Artist
Robert Bloch
Robert Bloch
Characters
Lex D. Geddings
Lex D. Geddings
Stunts
Glenn R. Wilder
Glenn R. Wilder
Stunt Coordinator
Doc Duhame
Doc Duhame
Stunt Coordinator
Bernard Herrmann
Bernard Herrmann
Music
Tony Gardner
Tony Gardner
Makeup Effects

Popular Reviews

136 reviews
Ben Tactay
Ben Tactay
Psycho IV: The Beginning
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
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Ennie Emik
Ennie Emik
Psycho IV: The Beginning
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...
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Adam Murray
Adam Murray
Psycho IV: The Beginning
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.
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Jake McCoy
Jake McCoy
Psycho IV: The Beginning
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!
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ben furness
ben furness
Psycho IV: The Beginning
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.
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