I can understand why it took so long for this film to get the proper respect. A sequel to Psycho is an unthinkable idea, like Citizen Kane or Casablanca, you think there’s nowhere for the story to go and so it can only be an attempt to make more money. Even if the movie was filmed in Black & White and used the original score for inspiration, it doesn’t have Hitchcock at the helm, and even he was at the top of his game back in 1960. However, Anthony Perkins still has a lot in the tank with the return of Norman Bates. The performance here may not be as iconic, but there’s a lot more layering as Norman fights to keep his fragile sanity.
The weakest aspect about Psycho II is that it came out when Horror culture was focused on 80s slashers. While it’s a modern film, it’s a much classier production than other horror films from the same era. It works by bringing Norman Bates into the present day and examining how the years have changed him, his now famous hotel and the people he affected decades ago. The continuity from the first film is very strong. I especially love how they got Vera Miles to return, and how her character has changed over time.
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