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Psycho III

maureen is so stupid

BT1886

Psycho III

Always pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy the Psycho sequels. Psycho III isn’t as tightly written as Richard Franklin’s entry, but it has style to spare. My stance hasn’t changed since my initial viewing, so I’d say read that if you’re interested in a more detailed review.

BT1886

Psycho III

The most unexpected treat this Halloween season was the delightful discovery of the underrated sequels to the timeless Psycho. Set just a month after the events of Psycho II, Psycho IIIdeparts from the introspective focus on Norman Bates, delving into a darker, grittier narrative that mirrors the zeitgeist of the time the film was produced. Anthony Perkins, reprising his role as Norman Bates, assumes the directorial reins for the first time, steering the film towards a distinct identity that embraces a darker comedic tone. It becomes pretty evident that, apart from Alfred Hitchcock (of course), Anthony Perkins simply understands the character, infusing the film with his own creative flourishes. A noteworthy addition to the franchise comes in the form of Carter Burwell, serving as the composer for this installment. In contrast to the more conventional score fromPsycho II, Burwell crafts a surprisingly evocative and haunting soundscape, attributing the creative freedom he enjoyed to Anthony Perkins’very hands-off approach (he didn’t even show scenes for him to score to). Bruce Surtees’ cinematography also stands out, accentuating the seedier elements of the narrative through his use of dimly lit scenes and sleazy neon blues and reds. While Psycho III may not reach to the heights of the original, it never intended to. Serving as a commendable bookend to a surprisingly exceptional trilogy, Psycho III isheld together by Anthony Perkin’s respectful nature of the story and character. Pretty great watch. ⏵ SPOOKTOBER 2023 (https://boxd.it/pxRFI)