preview

Horror Conventions In Psycho

Decent Essays

Since it’s infancy at the beginning of the eighteenth century, horror has followed certain conventions that results in an awakening of the senses, evoking intense emotions of fear and terror in the audience. Horror feeds off triggering the primal fears embedded within all of humankind, creating a sense of menace that is the very substance of this genre. Furthermore, the central menace of a piece tends to enlighten the human mind to the world of the paranormal and the enigmatic, dark side of the unknown. The movie “Psycho” directed by Alfred Hitchcock is a perfect example. Infamous for its shower scene, but immortal for its contribution to the horror genre, “Psycho” was filmed with great tact, grace and art in regards to horror conventions. …show more content…

In the ‘Parlor scene’ Marion and Norman are seen in contrasting lights. The bright light on Marion symbolizes warmth, innocence and naivety. The half lit, half shadowed face of Norman alludes to his dark side and split personality. Furthermore, the crosscutting between the two has been manipulated as so the two are never seen in the same shot, reinstating the separateness of the two. The monotone delivery of Norman’s line “I like to stuff things” not only foreshadows later events, but elucidates his twisted, sick mind. The symbolism of Marion’s name itself also re-establishes the polarization and predator-prey relationship between the two, creating feelings of dread and revulsion inside of the

Get Access