Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is a film that leaves viewers questioning not just the events unfolding on screen but the psychology behind them. The psychiatrist’s statement in the final scene of the film, “These are crimes of passion – not profit,” serves as a crucial theme of the story. But what does this mean for Norman Bates? Was he truly a victim, or was he a cold-blooded killer all along? Let’s delve into the psychological layers of this iconic thriller.
Psycho Ending Explained
The film kicks off with Marion Crane, a secretary in Phoenix, who embezzles $40,000 from her employer. As she plans to flee town and escape with the money, Marion finds herself driving through a storm. She decides to stop for the night at the secluded Bates Motel, where she meets the shy, awkward manager, Norman Bates.
Norman, despite his strange behavior, invites Marion to dinner, which she reluctantly accepts. Their conversation during the meal reveals deep emotional struggles, particularly Norman’s strained relationship with his domineering mother. Marion, conflicted by what she hears, begins contemplating returning the money. However, her plans are abruptly interrupted when she becomes the victim of a horrific crime.
Marion’s Fate: The Iconic Shower Scene
While taking a shower in her room, Marion is suddenly attacked by a shadowy figure—a woman who violently stabs her with a large knife. Norman quickly rushes to the scene and, seemingly unfazed, proceeds to cover up the crime. He disposes of Marion’s body, along with her belongings and the stolen money, by sinking the car in a nearby swamp. This cold, calculated act suggests that Norman has performed similar actions before, and he seems entirely comfortable with it.
The Search for Marion
When Marion goes missing, her employer hires a private investigator, Arbogast, to find her. After tracking her movements, Arbogast arrives at Bates Motel, where he questions Norman. He confirms that Marion stayed there but becomes suspicious about the strange behavior of Norman and his insistence that his mother not be disturbed.
Arbogast shares his findings with Marion’s sister, Lila, and her boyfriend, Sam. Determined to find out what happened to Marion, Arbogast returns to the motel but is killed by the same mysterious woman who attacked Marion. His death marks the beginning of a more intense investigation into the dark secrets of the Bates Motel.
Lila and Sam Uncover the Truth
Lila and Sam decide to take matters into their own hands. They visit the local sheriff, who reveals that Norman’s mother has been dead for over a decade. This information adds a chilling layer of mystery, prompting the couple to search the Bates Motel and the adjoining house for answers.
While Sam confronts Norman at the motel, Lila sneaks into the house. In the basement, she finds what she believes to be Bates’ mother sitting in a rocking chair. However, the horrifying truth is soon revealed: it is the mummified corpse of Mrs. Bates, and Norman, disguised in women’s clothing, emerges with a knife. In an attempt to attack Lila, Norman is stopped when Sam intervenes, saving her from certain death.
The Psychiatrist’s Explanation
Following Norman’s capture, the psychiatrist explains his condition in a courtroom scene. According to the psychiatrist, Norman Bates had committed matricide by killing his mother. Overcome with guilt and unable to cope with the act, he attempted to keep her “alive” in his mind. He exhumed her body, placed it in the house, and began caring for it as if she were still living.
Norman’s psychological state deteriorated further as he began taking on his mother’s identity. He dressed like her, mimicked her voice, and adopted her personality. This split created two distinct personas within him: his own and that of his mother. His actions as a killer were thus not his own, but rather those of his “mother,” whom he subconsciously invoked when he felt attracted to women.
Norman Bates: Victim or Villain?
The psychiatrist’s analysis sheds light on the complexity of Norman Bates’ psyche. The concept of Norman’s “mother” being the true killer raises questions about his personal responsibility. While he may have physically committed the murders, it is his mother’s persona that drives his violent actions.
In fact, it appears that Norman was not naturally violent, as demonstrated in several key scenes. When he knocks Sam unconscious, he does not follow through with a lethal blow, even though he easily could. This moment suggests that, while Norman may be a murderer in some capacity, he is not inherently malicious.
The Duality of Norman Bates
Throughout the film, there is a constant shift between Norman’s personalities: the son and the mother. In the case of Marion’s murder, Norman’s “mother” personality is activated, and she kills Marion. Afterward, Norman regains control and covers up the crime, doing his best to protect his “mother’s” image.
This split personality dynamic becomes even clearer when Norman dresses as his mother to kill Arbogast and later attempts to murder Lila. He is unable to carry out these acts of violence unless he fully embodies his mother, suggesting that his actions as a killer are more about his psychological trauma than any innate desire to harm others.
The Tragic End of a Victim
The final scene, in which Norman’s mother berates him in his mind, is a poignant moment in the film. It suggests that, despite his horrific actions, Norman is still a victim of his own mental illness. His inability to control his “mother” personality led him to commit these heinous acts, making him a tragic figure rather than a pure villain.
Norman Bates’ story is one of psychological torment, where the line between perpetrator and victim becomes blurred. His murders, while undeniably horrific, were driven by a deep-seated psychological condition that trapped him in a cycle of guilt, repression, and violence. Had his mental state not spiraled out of control, he might have never committed those crimes at all.
The Real Inspiration Behind Norman Bates
Interestingly, the character of Norman Bates was inspired by a real-life murderer and body snatcher, Ed Gein. Gein’s gruesome crimes were a major influence on both Robert Bloch’s novel Psycho and the subsequent film adaptation by Alfred Hitchcock. While Psycho is not a direct retelling of Gein’s life, the parallels between the two figures are undeniable.
Norman Bates’ story is one of a man torn between two identities, one innocent and the other malevolent. His actions, although disturbing, are the result of a psychological condition that forced him into the role of both victim and perpetrator. By the film’s end, viewers are left to ponder whether Norman was ever truly in control of his actions, or whether he was simply a pawn in the hands of his disturbed mind.
