Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece 'Psycho' has been crowned the greatest thriller movie of all time by IMDb. The horror film, produced and directed by Hitchcock, also tops Variety's list of 'The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time' and holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Plot and Cast
The screenplay, written by Joseph Stefano, is based on the 1959 novel by Robert Bloch. The film stars Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Martin Balsam. The synopsis follows Phoenix secretary Marion Crane, who steals $40,000 from her employer and flees, only to stop at the remote Bates Motel where she meets the polite but disturbed Norman Bates.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, 'Psycho' received mixed reviews, but it is now regarded as a groundbreaking film. Rotten Tomatoes' critics consensus states: 'Infamous for its shower scene, but immortal for its contribution to the horror genre. Because Psycho was filmed with tact, grace, and art, Hitchcock didn't just create modern horror; he validated it.'
One fan commented: 'The movie Psycho is a masterpiece from Alfred Hitchcock, who knows how to use dreary lighting and eerie special effects to punctuate this movie with pure terror. Even Janet Leigh was so terrified when playing the shower scene that she never took a shower again. I highly recommend this 1960 movie!'
Awards and Rankings
Variety awarded 'Psycho' the top spot on its list of 'The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time', calling it 'Hitchcock's greatest movie' and noting that 'the shower scene rips the 20th century in half'. IMDb also ranked it number one on its 'Top 100 Thriller Movies of All Time' list.
'Psycho' is available to stream on NOW TV.
