Psycho (1960 Film): Movie Analysis

Movie Analysis: Psycho (1960 film)

The movie's most relevant cast for this discussion includes Norman, Norman's mother (Mrs. Bates), and Marion. After the death of his dad, Norman becomes entirely dependent on the love, attention, and support of his mother. It is for this reason that when she (Norman's mother) takes in a lover, Norman feels as if he is no longer a priority in his mother's life -- he feels as if he has been replaced. Apparently, he can't stand sharing her and as a result of his intense jealousy, he ends up killing not only his mother's lover but also his mother, through poisoning. However, he elects to preserve the corpse instead of having it buried -- in what could be seen as an attempt to perpetuate the illusion that his mother is not dead but is, instead, still alive. As a consequence, he begins to not only speak, but also think for her. He develops a split personality; whereby at times, he is Norman, and at other times, he assumes the identity of Mrs. Bates (Norman's mother).

As it is finally revealed later on in the movie, it was indeed 'Norman's Mother' (Norman's other persona) that murders Marion. Prior to her death, Norman's attachment to his mother makes him pathologically jealous when another man enters the fray. After killing his mother and developing another persona -- that of his mother, Norman is convinced that his 'jealous' mother wouldn't allow him to be attracted to some other woman. It is for this reason that 'Norman's Mother' kills Marion. On waking up, Norman finds his 'Mother's mess and cleans it.

A number of serial killers have in the past, according to Jenkins, "claimed to be in dissociative states at the time of committing their crimes…" (129). In real life, serial killers who have either made use of multiple personalities as defense or had doctors diagnose them with the same include, but they are not limited to, Thomas Dee Huskey and Richard Angelo. Like Norman, Richard Angelo felt inadequate and always thirsted for recognition and praise. When he could not get either, he developed multiple personalities (at least according to his lawyers) whereby one personality would compel him to inject patients with lethal drugs -- whereby he would show up later on and demonstrate his ability to somehow save their lives. Many did not survive. This, as per his own admission, would offer him some reprieve from that feeling of inadequacy.