Psycho IV: The Beginning

Cast & Crew

Anthony Perkins
Norman Bates

Henry Thomas
Young Norman Bates

Olivia Hussey
Norma Bates

CCH Pounder
Fran Ambrose

Donna Mitchell
Connie Bates

Warren Frost
Dr. Leo Richmond

Mick Garris
Director

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Critic Reviews for Psycho IV: The Beginning

Audience Reviews for Psycho IV: The Beginning

• Jan 06, 2016

  Really not inordinately bad..... The insinuation that its not the last of the series was unnecessary though. If you liked the other sequels then this should be more than watchable.
  Super Reviewer
• Oct 31, 2013

  An unnecessary but somewhat intriguing semi-prequel, Psycho IV: The Beginning explores the backstory of Norman Bates. While discussing mother killers, the host of a radio show gets the call of her life when Norman Bates calls in to give her an insider's perspective, and to reveal that he will kill again. A lot of the backstories seem contrived, but the present day story is quite interesting. And while overall the acting isn't that good, Anthony Perkins once again gives a captivating performance. Despite its weaknesses, Psycho IV: The Beginning delivers a solid thriller and a climatic conclusion to the saga.
  Dann M Super Reviewer
• Nov 27, 2012

  Psycho IV is the conclusion to the Norman Bates saga. In this film, we get the back story and why Norman Bates became so demented. I think it's a great idea for a plot, and it is slightly better than part 3 due to that fact. There are some good performances here, and the directing is effective enough to keep you interested from start to finish. The film does have its flaws, but for a Made for TV picture, it's pretty good and it delivers some genuine chills and thrills. Although you can come to expect that by a fourth film in any series, there's a lack of truly great ideas, and though this one offers an origins take on the Psycho franchise, there's still something lacking in the film to really make it memorable. The film is told with the aid of flashbacks and it is well done in that matter and there's plenty to offer for fans of the series. As for me, I've always loved the original, and no sequel will ever top it, but the sequels have managed to elaborate on the character of Norman Bates and it's been quite entertaining. Anthony Perkins is what kept me interested in the sequels and it's no exception for this final entry. As far as I'm concerned, considering that the original is so iconic, the films that followed were pretty good, and departed significantly from the suspense, psychological horror genre and ventured deeper in the Slasher genre. I really enjoyed this film, and Anthony Perkins as usual is phenomenal as the character he established over the course of previous three films. Very entertaining, and underrated, Psycho IV: The Beginning is a very good prequel compared to numerous others that have failed to tell an effective plot. Perkins holds the material together very well with a chilling performance and he manages to play Norman Bates one final time with effective menace and with that said, the film overcomes its many weaknesses
  Alex r Super Reviewer
• Dec 03, 2011

  'Psycho IV: The Beginning' is so splendidly trashy, I can't help but think what a great episode of 'Jerry Springer' Norman Bates and Mother would make.
  Lindsey D Super Reviewer

Psycho IV: The Beginning Quotes

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