What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPsycho
Robert Bloch · Book · 1959
If you loved Psycho, start with Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Psycho across media.
If Psycho drew you in, it was the chilling way that isolation and deep-seated obsession can unravel a fractured human mind.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1960
Adaptation
Bates Motel
Carlton Cuse · Series · 2013
Films on the same thread
Vertigo
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1958
Shares a thread with Psycho: Obsession.
Much like the descent into madness found in Psycho, this film explores the paralyzing grip of obsession and the way a hidden identity can distort reality for everyone involved.
Rear Window
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1954
Shares 2 threads with Psycho: Obsession, Isolation.
The suffocating isolation that defines the Bates Motel is mirrored here, as voyeuristic obsession and growing paranoia transform a confined space into a site of intense psychological dread.
The Shining
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1980
Shares 3 threads with Psycho: Isolation, Psychological Horror, Gothic Horror.
Fans of Psycho will recognize the terrifying trajectory of mental decline, as the total isolation of the Overlook Hotel forces a protagonist to confront his darkest, most violent impulses.
Rebecca
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1940
Shares a thread with Psycho: obsession.
The haunting presence of a deceased figure influencing the living in this gothic tale perfectly echoes the psychological weight of the mother-son dynamic explored throughout the story of Psycho.
Series on the same thread
Bates Motel
Carlton Cuse · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with Psycho: Mental Illness.
This series offers a deeper look at the toxic relationship and dark secrets that fueled Norman Bates, providing the essential context for the tragedy first introduced in Psycho.
Podcasts on the same thread
Baking A Murder
Podcast
Explores: Guilty Pleasures, Morbid Curiosity, Criminal Psychology.
If you enjoy the morbid curiosity and criminal psychology at the heart of Psycho, this podcast serves as a perfect companion for exploring the darker side of human behavior.
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
The theme of small-town isolation that helps create the menacing atmosphere in Psycho is masterfully expanded here, focusing on the eccentricities and social decay hidden beneath a quiet surface.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Should I read the Psycho book before watching the 1960 movie?
You can enjoy the 1960 Psycho movie without reading the 1959 book by Robert Bloch first. Both versions follow the story of the lonely Bates Motel and the obsessional Norman Bates, though experiencing the source material provides deeper insight into the original narrative as written by the author.
Is the Bates Motel TV series a direct remake of Psycho?
The 2013 television series Bates Motel is not a direct remake of the 1960 Psycho movie. It serves as a contemporary prequel that explores the early life of Norman Bates, providing background on the character and the motel before the events depicted in the original book and film.
What order should I consume the Psycho adaptations?
There is no required order for consuming Psycho adaptations. You may start with the 1959 book by Robert Bloch, the 1960 movie, or the 2013 Bates Motel television series. Each version offers a distinct perspective on the story of the runaway secretary and the famous shower scene.
Is Psycho based on a book?
Yes, the 1960 Psycho movie is based on the 1959 novel titled Psycho, written by Robert Bloch. The book introduces the iconic setting of the Bates Motel and the central character Norman Bates, establishing the foundation for the subsequent film adaptation and the later television series.