Psycho Collection

Anthony Perkins

Diana Scarwid

Jeff Fahey

Roberta Maxwell

Hugh Gillin

Lee Garlington

Robert Alan Browne

Gary Bayer

Patience Cleveland

Juliette Cummins

Steve Guevara

Katt Shea

Brinke Stevens

Donovan Scott

Diane Rodriguez

Virginia Gregg

Charles Edward Pogue

Hilton A. Green

Carter Burwell

Bruce Surtees

David E. Blewitt

Nancy Nayor

Henry Bumstead

Mickey S. Michaels

Peter V. Saldutti

Marla Schlom

Vivian McAteer

Mark Reedall

Michael Westmore

Jeffrey Wilhoit

Michael C. Casper

Roger Heman Jr.

John J. Stephens

John Stacy

Louis R. Cooper

Danny Lester

Karl G. Miller

Bob Yerkes

Syd Dutton

Rick Neff

Christine M. Loss

Michael Dugan

Brian O'Dowd

Liza Stewart

Betty A. Griffin

Booker McClay

Robert Bloch

Don Zepfel

James Thompson

George Cheung

Horror

Mystery

Thriller

Psycho III

Universal Pictures

United States of America

Retreads the original, but with interesting additions

A month after the events of “Psycho II” (1983), a grief-stricken former nun (Diana Scarwid), a wannabe rock star (Jeff Fahey), a meddling reporter (Roberta Maxwell) and a bunch of football fans converge on the Bates Motel and the crazy world of Norman Bates (Anthony Hopkins).

Like the previous installment, “Psycho III” (1986) is a quality continuation of the iconic 1960 film, but more of a retread, which is why some call it a spiritual remake. I like it a little better than the prior sequel because it omits the contrived and confusing twists & turns of the second half. (But, if you seriously reflect on “Psycho II,” everything makes sense after the climatic reveal; you just have to put the pieces of the puzzle together).

Besides Scarwid, the film scores pretty well in the female department with comely redhead Juliette Cummins from “Friday the 13th Part V” (1985) and brunette Katt Shea. The film effectively contrasts lust and love. In addition, Fahey makes for an entertaining character and I like the addition of the celebratory football fanatics. There’s some atmospheric cinematography as well, directed by Perkins. 

What’s great about the Psycho franchise is that it has its own story and Norman is a sympathetic character. It’s really a tragedy and not like the formulaic slasher where the killer is a zombie-like machine and all its victims are mostly partying teenagers.

The film runs 1 hour, 33 minutes and, like the other two films, was shot at the backlot of Universal Studios, Universal City, California.

GRADE: B

English

Psycho III ≣ 1986 ≣ TV Spot

Psycho III ≣ 1986 ≣ Trailer