Psycho film+theory

Psycho. Alfred Hitchcock.

Alfred Hitchcock is commonly associated with Auteur theory which involves a director to be an “author” of his/her film in which distinctive traits are portrayed through cinematic and thematic elements. Films by Hitchcock have recurring themes and are uniquely marked with his artistic visions. In Psycho, there are recurring themes of suspense, voyeurism, duality and many others. As a compilation of his films all form one body of work, with one artistic vision.

Feminist Film Theory Hitchcock uses voyeurism throughout his films. Even though its main objective is to create suspense and to make the audience assume a vulnerable position, it can also be analyzed through the feminist film theory. The voyeuristic perspective relates to the “male gaze” because the audience assumes the male’s perspective. I believe the scene with Bates watching Marion undress in the shower best exemplifies this. It ultimately reflects on how men are watchers while women are being watched, which is the core to the “male gaze”. This also relates that men usually over-power women as the Bates has another side to himself and through the voyeuristic position, he catches Marion as well as her sister off guard. Moreover, the film assumes a very sexual perspective in which women are shown in the underwear and in the shower. This reflects on the objectification of women in which they are not round characters but rather flat objects. Therefore through mise-sen-scene, cinematography and more specifically through the camera’s perspective and angle, Psycho can be inspected through the Feminist Film Theory.

Freudian Film theory Secondly, Hitchcock films can be seen through the Freudian Film Theory. In Psycho, Bates is obsessed with his mother, in which he plays two characters: himself and his dead mother, who is kept in the basement of his house. This can be related to the Freudian Film Theory in that Bates seems to be suffering from the Oedipal Complex. Bates has trouble letting go of his mom and thus kills her when she gets too close to her lover. This can be seen through the editing technique between Bates and the car. For a split second, there was a cut to the mother’s teeth, reflecting on the duality of Norman Bates. This can also be seen through mise sen scene, in which many mirrors are placed to symbolize the duality of people.

Culture studies Hitchcock uses the MacGuffin as a major plot device throughout his film. This plot device is the “motivator” for the character. In Psycho the MacGuffin is the 40000 dollars. Marion runs away from town, hoping that she and her boyfriend will get a better life. I believe that to some extent, it relates to the American culture, in which there are motivators for people to do certain things. The American dream is set on the premise that a better life is desired and thus people work hard or do certain things to climb up the social ladder. As the Macguffin is not only present in Psycho but also almost all of Hitchcock’s film which ultimately reflects on this human culture quality. Particularly in Psycho, the MacGuffin contributes to the motif of morals. This is exemplified through the use of mirrors on set. Lastly, he also uses blonde women believing that “Blondes make the best victims. They're like virgin snow that shows up the bloody footprints.” This relates to the race and class difference America during that time period as it was preferable for white blonde women.