Ah, Alfred Hitchcock: the master of suspense. Psycho is considered his best film, as well as one of the best films of all time. An early example of the slasher movie, it’s perfect for Halloween.

Marion (Janet Leigh) is unable to marry her boyfriend Sam (John Gavin) because of his debts. After a client leaves $40,000 in cash for a property, Marion decides to steal it and drive to meet with Sam. After getting pulled over by a state trooper during her drive, Marion, nervous, pulls into the Bates Motel to stay the night. She meets the proprietor, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), and is moved by his situation, forced to live with a mother who forbids him any kind of independent life. From that point on, the film, already high-stakes, becomes even more intense.

Odds are, you already know what makes this film great. Its genre and story just clicked with both director and audience. However, even so, don’t hesitate to stop over at Somerville to get into the Halloween spirit with some suspense.

Psycho
1960
dir. Alfred Hitchcock
104 min.

Series: Halloween Hullabaloo. Senior tickets are $8.00.
Screens Saturday, 10/25 at the Somerville Theatre at 11:45 p.m.