David Hogan has noted, "Psycho redefined the horror genre not only in terms of graphicism, but in matters of tone". Horror films before this, worked with in a code and operated with in limits, often leaving the audience with a feeling of security and closure. The impact Psycho had for future horror films to come cannot be underestimated. It challenged the viewer in anew light. Norman Bates is a boy next door type, the monster, who is conflicted with the reality of a modern world in which humankind is increasingly self-conscious and alienated from its pre-determined social structures. "Psycho works as an act of permission for film-makers in the genre to further expose the illusory securities and limited rationales of contemporary life to reveal the chaos which underpins modern existence and constantly threatens to ensure its collapse" (Wells, 75). It inspired two paradigms of the horror films to come. It ushers to the postmodern era in the genre while "ending" the horror movie. After Alfred Hitchcock's death, Psycho spawned three follow-ups Psycho II (1983), Psycho III (1986), directed by Anthony Perkins) and Psycho IV: the Beginning (written by Joseph Stefeno, in 1990). There was also a remake of the movie in (1998) directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Vince Vaughn and Anne Hache.

images sources: Durganat, Raymond. A Long Hard Look at 'Psycho'. Britain: BFI Publishing; 2002. and

Viera, Mark A. Hollywood Horror from Gothic to Cosmic. New York; Harry N. Abrams, Inc.; 2003.

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