“I really love how this flick works as a prequel as well as a sequel with a not quite rehabilitated Norman Bates recounting his disturbing childhood for a radio shrink while he plans his next psychotic descent.” Rotten Tomatoes
The film is structured as a series of flashbacks triggered by a seemingly rehabilitated Norman calling into a late-night radio talk show hosted by CCH Pounder . Psycho.IV.The.Beginning.1990.1080p.BluRay.x264-...
: For the first time, viewers see the explicit physical and mental abuse Norman suffered under his mother, Norma. Unlike the subtle hints in earlier films, this entry makes the subtext text, exploring highly uncomfortable incestuous themes and the "murkiness" of their psychological bond. “I really love how this flick works as
: The 1.78:1 widescreen transfer is solid, showing natural skin tones and fine facial details like sweat and pores in close-ups. However, some hazy sequences in the dark radio studio and rougher process shots in flashbacks show the film's TV origins. : The 1
: Her performance as the "utterly crazy" and abusive Norma Bates is widely considered the highlight of the film, stealing scenes with her portrayal of a woman both mean and deeply twisted. Technical Specs: 1080p Blu-ray Presentation
: The present-day narrative follows Norman’s fear that his bloodline might continue, causing him to contemplate murdering the woman he loves to prevent another monster from being born. Performances: A Passing of the Torch
While it lacks the stylistic tension of Hitchcock’s original and can feel like a "proof of concept" for a series, Psycho IV remains an essential watch for completists . It offers a rare sense of closure to one of horror's most enduring sagas, making it a "fine enough way to depart our time" with a madman who never quite lost his humanity. Blu-ray Review: PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING - Daily Dead