Psycho III (1986)

Director: Anthony Perkins

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the shower!

Plot: One month after the events of PSYCHO II, Norman is still running the Bates Motel along with "Mother". Things are going fine until Norman falls in love with a fallen nun, takes in a greedy drifter, a nosy reporter sticks her nose where it doesn't belong and a series of murders begins once again.

My rating: 6.5/10

Will I watch it again? Yeah.


OK, most fans of the original film would never even consider watching any sequel that wasn't made by Hitchcock but they'd be wrong to do so as they would really miss out on one of the best sequels (for horror or any other genre) that is PSYCHO II (1983). It was a logical continuation of the story. PSYCHO III is just more of it with Norman off his rocker, killin' folks whether they deserve it or not.

"I've had enough of this Nancy Drew horseshit from you!"

Perkins did a great job in his directorial debut but the middle sags too much. Unfortunately it's not the home run that P2 was but it's still a good, fun film. If this were a stand-alone film outside of any franchise it would be considered a minor classic in the realm of 80s slasher films.


And the black humor is priceless. One of my favorite bits is when Norman, without looking, straightens a painting as he's slowing stalking his next victim. Classic.


I just love the hell out of Perkins and it's too bad he was never able to shake his Norman Bates persona. He was simply too good in that role to be associated with much else. I've yet to see PSYCHO IV but it'll happen. As long as Perkins is there, I'll be around. "We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?"