Psycho Shower Scene Analysis

How are cinematography, sound, editing and Mise en Scene utilised to create suspense and tension in the sequence?

At the beginning of this scene a mellow score plays whilst the audience is introduced to the main female character though a medium shot, this is followed by a close up of her throwing ripped paper into the toilet, which acts as an enigma and leaves the audience bewildered as the reason for this characters actions are unknown. Alfred Hitchcock’s use of this enigma causes the audience to question the actor’s actions and also agonize over the possible hidden meanings to her actions. Enigmas are also frequent features of Thriller films, as they create great perplexity and provide suspense which keeps the audience anticipating.

A cut is then used to show a close up shot of the female protagonist, which allows the audience to observe the characters appearance in more depth.  Here we view her blond hairstyle which relates to the 60s - the era Psycho was originally produced in, this also suggests that the character takes great pride in her appearance, whilst her make-up shows her to be a young stylish woman.

The score dips and the synchronous sound of the protagonist closing the door increases the realism of this scene; this also connotes that she is in a confined space with only one place to escape therefore her vulnerability is heightened. The characters actions also act as a foreshadowing feature for the upcoming events.

A tracking shot then follows the protagonist to the shower and shows her slipping off her rode, then stepping in. The medium shots which shows the characters flesh portrays the female as a sexual objet , this was extremely controversial in the 60s and relates to Alfred Hitchcock’s overall presentation of gender roles in his movies.

A medium shot focuses on the character in the shower. The diegetic asynchronous sound of the female un-wrapping some soap is then followed by the diegetic sound of the shower which is a normal everyday action and creates great anticipation over what may take place next. The soft high key lighting which is used here illuminates the protagonist and provides a focal point for the audience.

Whilst in the shower different medium shots filmed in several angles connotes that the protagonists mind is elsewhere, this prolonged cross cutting is a common cinematic technique used in Thrillers and also builds great tension. The shot then becomes framed on the right hand side of character, whilst the diegetic synchronous sound of the shower drowns out any other sounds. We then see the bathroom door slowly opening and a silhouette appear and move towards the protagonists, here Hitchcock has used dramatic irony as the audience is unaware who the killer is. The unknown antagonist then pulls the curtain and the synchronised sound along with the high pitch fast paced score shocks the audience and indicates danger.

The silhouette of the killer with a huge knife shows the audience the weapon and the cut to a close up of the female protagonists then the extreme close up of her mouth whilst screaming exaggerates the characters emotions and actions. The constant quick cutting of shots are synchronised with the high pitched score and pleonastic sound of the antagonist stabbing action and also shows the interaction between each character during this action scene. The dialog of the female character shows that she is pleading for her life however she is helpless and powerless whilst she is dominated by antagonist.

As the high pitched score continues and the stabbing stops we are shown the antagonist exiting the bathroom though a medium shot. This shot indicates that the unknown antagonist is a female as she has on a ladies robe a blond hair styled like other women in the 60s. Alfred Hitchcock’s use of a woman as the murderer is particularly unusual for thriller films, but acts as another reference to Hitchcock’s views on gender roles.

The score dips and the diegetic sound continues as an extreme close up of the female protagonist hand against the bathroom tiles connotes that she is trying to hang on and does not want to die, however the close up tracking shot of her sliding down the wall shows that she is weak and powerless. She then sticks her hand out and it is almost like she is trying to grab onto any bit of hope she can by trying to grab onto the shower curtain which then falls and causes the protagonist plummet to the floor leaving her lifeless body partly hanging outside the shower. 

As the characters body lays helpless a close up of the shower head which is a key prop; symbolises the washing away of life. The camera then pans slowly towards the drain and zooms in as the water travels down the dark hole which is a dramatic representation of life draining way. The drain is then met with a match shot of the protagonist’s eye which slowly zooms out to show the whole of her face which is lifeless.

A tracking shot with a transitional effect moves from the bathroom scene onto a dimly lit bedroom where three-point lighting is used for added tension. The bedroom may also have great importance and possible connection to the protagonist or antagonist. The tracking shot then zooms in on a newspaper which is placed on a bedside table. This object becomes a key prop which leaves the audience bewildered as to what information may be found in the newspaper.

After a short pause the tracking shot continues towards a window which shows a dark house filmed from a low angle. This angle provides the house with importance as it becomes a symbolic feature to the end of this scene. We then hear the asynchronous sound of Norman Bates calling his mother; however his dialogue indicates panic and distress which suggest that Bates has found something truly shocking.