Parents' Guide to

Psycho

By Sarah Wenk, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Classic Hitchcock horror masterpiece still thrills.

Movie NR 1960 109 minutes
Psycho Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 12+

Based on 42 parent reviews

Vin E.
Vin E. Adult
October 19, 2022
age 15+

A horror classic

A chilling classic sure to bring a sense of dread and insanity upon every watch.
Spencer H.
Spencer H. Adult
November 15, 2021
age 13+

15+ Rating is a little extreme; fine for teenagers

I think the R rating here as well as CSM's 15+ is pretty inaccurate. Yes this is not a film for small children and some elements are creepy but this is not really scary nowadays. Rather just a masterfully done thriller that any teen who is a movie fan should be able to enjoy without having to worry too much about content. There are a few scenes of Janet Leigh in her bra but they are not sexual and not that bad overall. Profanity is non existent unless you count Norman saying Oh God one time. The violence is not bad either. Yes for it's time it was shocking but it's very mild nowadays. Again if you have a teen who is a film fanatic 13 and up for this movie should handle it fine. I think this would definitely pass for a PG-13 nowadays, maybe even arguably a PG as the violence and frightening factor have tamed quite a bit since 1960. It's just an amazing movie in spite of being dated. Really a must see. Families with teenagers should be fine to watch.
See all 42 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In PSYCHO, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) steals money from her boss' client and skips town. She drives for hours and then, exhausted and nervous, stops in a remote area at the Bates Motel, run by Norman Bates (a delightfully creepy Anthony Perkins). Norman is cheerful, but he's nervous and hiding something. He invites Marion to share some dinner with him and mentions his overbearing mother (whose silhouette is seen in a window of the big looming house that sits on the hill just above the motel). Norman's hobby is taxidermy, and he also happens to have in his possession the extra key to Marion's room ...

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (42):
Kids say (161):

This Hitchcock film is a classic, and for good reason. Everything about Psycho is perfection, from the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography to every single performance to the famous Bernard Herrmann soundtrack to some of the most suspenseful and frightening scenes ever filmed. If you consider yourself a film buff, this is a must-see. There is some real violence in this film, but it's not at all explicit, making it in some ways scarier than the gore-fests that are so popular now.

It's a film that works on many levels. It's truly scary, but it's also a psychological mystery and a couple of different kinds of love story. All the performances are excellent, and the screenplay is top-notch, but Hitchcock is the real star, manipulating the audience in every frame, making it perfect for repeat viewing -- there's always something new to see. It's a great way to introduce older kids to Hitchcock and may spark interest in his other wonderful films.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Hitchcock's style and techniques and the way he uses the camera and lighting to tell the story. It's fun to go back over Psycho and look for clues to the ending, too.

  • Much of the violence in this movie is implied rather than shown, unlike so many horror movies that have been released since Psycho. Does implied violence seen scarier to you than graphic violence? Why, or why not?

  • What are some of the ways in which this movie is a classic, and how is it also very much rooted in the time when it was released?

Movie Details

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