Psycho Analysis

Analysis of ‘Psycho’ Shower scene, exploring how film techniques are used to create effects

Camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene are all used effectively in this scene to create a very tense, thrilling shot. One of the main reasons is because the victim isn’t aware at all of what’s going to happen while we as the audience have hindsight. In the shower scene a variety of shots are used; mostly mid shots sometimes ECUs. The whole scene is quite claustrophobic in the way the shots and angles have been used. This creates a sense that we are almost the third person in the bathroom. While the Point of View shots make you feel like you’re the victim/killer.

The way they include cut away shots to dark, thunder skies in-between the killing scene shows pathetic fallacy; how the weather matches the character or scene. They also use ECUs very effectively, when showing her eyes. 

At the beginning of the scene the pace is very slow and relaxed, as she gets into the shower. Once the killer enters and pulls the curtain back the pace quickens and keeps in time with the fast and high pitched music. The music used also shows the chaos and the frenzy of the murder. Once the killer has murdered the victim the pace becomes slower again, and shows the calm after the storm. The music also slows down and becomes deeper to show time is still passing.

At the beginning of the scene you can hear crickets so you know it is night time and that she is quite far out. Once the shower is on, it remains on for the whole scene so there is some continuity in the scene. The sounds used are most diegetic e.g. the scream and the thudding of the knife. The thudding of the knife is a good effect as it shows the brutality of the murder. Also the white bathroom and the contrast of the blood show the brutality of the murder. The bathroom setting is good as that’s where people are most vulnerable and the whiteness shows the purity of the place e.g. cleansing.

The bright lights throughout the shot show that the woman isn’t hiding which links in with how unaware she is. It also shows that the killer is not afraid to be seen. Also the way the killer uses a simple kitchen knife shows that this wasn’t premeditated.

SHOT 1

In this shot we simply see the knife in the killer’s hand. The knife is right in the centre of the shot and is of the P.O.V of the victim. This is a good effect as we feel like the victim. It’s a close up of the knife so we can’t see the killer. The knife is clearly a kitchen knife so shows this wasn’t premeditated. This creates tension as we know she is getting murdered but don’t know by who.

SHOT 2

This is one of the effective ECUs. This is of the blood draining away the killer departs. It shows the blood draining away after the murder and shows the contrast of the blood and the white bathroom. It is also used as a graphic match to her eye which shows her life literally draining away. This matches with the plughole.

SHOT 3

This is a shot right after the murder. It’s a long shot and shows a big house and the dark, gloomy sky. This shot is effective as it shows that other things are going on during the chaos. It is also effective as it shows how the sky matches the actions. The house and the sky intertwine and aid the thriller effect, which is very dark (typical thriller convention)