Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho - Elemental Deep Dive

Spoilers ahead

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is an interesting film, filled to the brim with suspense. In addition to that key theme, there are many other elements that help this film “work”. These elements can be organized into theatrical and cinematic elements.

First up is theatrical elements. This film needed its sets without them, the story wouldn’t stay true. I specifically mean the Bates motel. It’s in the perfect spot, in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a good amount of vegetation. In addition to having a bog behind it. This motel and its placement alone raise some suspicion and curiosity. It’s extremely secluded and allows for the perfect murder cover-up. It has the perfect proximity to Norman’s house which has its own treasures. Norman and “Mother’s” home included 2 important bedrooms and a cellar. One bedroom being Norman’s, gave insight to him that wasn’t revealed to the audience. While Mother’s bedroom included jumpscares, a used bed, and all her personal belongings. Lastly a creepy cellar, without the creepy cellar where else would we have had such a wonderful reveal. A debatable setting would include the city where beloved Marion was introduced. It provided a sense of relatability and establishment. Without this installment in the being, we wouldn’t be able to compare the settings and develop the conclusion that something was sketchy.

Next, we have the costumes. The play on colors helped deliver to the audience where the character stood mentally. Which could be level-headed or rebellious. The Mother’s dress and wig were also important factors. Without Mother’s clothes Norman could not bring her to life. Then you have Norman’s outfits which consisted of plain button-up shirts and straight pants. Norman and Mother’s costumes help the audience establish them as two separate characters before they are revealed to be one.

Then we have props. I specifically wanted to highlight the knife and chocolate. Not many things were consistent in this film but Mother always killed someone with a knife. The chocolate added a realistic look and amazing contrast of blood on different backgrounds.

Following, we have acting choices. I think it was a specific choice that Marian’s sister was so calm and intrigued upon finding out Norman’s “condition”. It was a choice to widen Norman’s eyes and give a full smile at the sight of his next victim, in Mother’s clothes. Last it was a choice to deliver Norman’s creepy aura subtly. This aura was conveyed subtly with posture, tone, word choice, and interests.

Now I want to dive into the cinematic choices. The black and white color of the film’s finish gave the film a vintage look. It also delivers contrasting colors or surfaces really well. The lowkey, bottom, and side lighting especially with Norman was another key factor in delivering Norman’s creepy Aura. This film uses crispy and clear cuts, it gives the film a serious and professional polish. A great addition to this film’s cinema was the long under the chin shot where Norman was being followed when he was glancing at the check-in book. Higher angle shots delivered Marian’s fear and realization of the situation well. Low angled shots on Norman, specifically the ones including his taxidermy birds in his conversation with Marion. These visual elements help deliver Alfred’s theory of suspense. One last notable feature in Psycho’s cinematic element toolbox was the non-diegetic sound and overall soundtrack. The soundtrack proved to be iconic, notably because much of the sound was then used in many films after the birth of this one. The non-diegetic music provoked auditory feelings in the audience, it intensified the emotions that we as viewers were already feeling witnessing these storylines and characters. Without the sound and just the images, Hitchcock’s emotional and suspenseful rollercoaster would still be in tack because all these elements did was heighten his initial visual.

The strength of the tools in this film’s “toolbox” is what makes it so significant. It has been argued that this film is more of a genre film than a storyline film. I agree. The suspenseful rollercoaster of Hitchocks’s choice paired with the different elements of the film created a masterpiece. A masterpiece that I enjoy for what it possesses.

Overall the tools that Alfred Hitchcock used, theatrical and cinematic helped to deliver his directorial view to the audience, in a way that would resonate with many. While being an inspiration to others.