Psycho II (Exclusive Series) (Peacock)

Initial release date: June 3, 1983

Studios: Universal Pictures/Oak Industries

Tagline: The mystery continues ...

Plot: Two decades after the original murders at the Bates Motel, Norman Bates completes his treatment at a mental institution and returns home to find his motel run down under the management of Warren Tommey. Despite a new friendship with a waitress and a job bussing tables at a diner, Norman begins to hear voices once again. No matter how hard he tries, Norman cannot keep "Mother" from returning and coazing him to unleash the homicidal maniac within.

Cast

Anthony Perkins - Norman Bates

Vera Miles - Lila

Meg Tilly - Mary

Robert Loggia - Dr. Raymond

Dennis Franz - Tommey

Hugh Gillin - Sheriff Hunt

Claudia Bryar - Mrs. Spool

Robert Alan Browne - Statler

Lee Garlington - Myrna

Tim Maier - Josh

Jill Carroll - Kim

Chris Hendrie - Deputy Pool

Tom Holland (not Spider-Man) - Deputy Norris

Writer: Tom Holland (Thinner; The Langoliers; Child's Play; Fright Night)

Director: Richard Franklin

Rated R (113 minutes)

In 2020, I worked on a review for the original Alfred Hitchcock classic 'Psycho' for the Examiner. The film was one of the numerous throwback releases that the Dietrich offered throughout a good portion of that year. Every time I watch the film, I will always find it very intriguing and mysterious. Once I found out that the classic spawned a couple sequels, I got a little leery about watching them.

Well, the other night I finally got around to seeing 'Psycho II' and, believe it or not, this sequel is really good. Granted, the first sequel isn't nearly as incredible as the Hitchcock classic - but it comes real close.

The 1983 sequel delivers a good amount of suspense and intrigue. There are quite a few chilling moments that are fairly entertaining. Anthony Perkins gives another outstanding performance and the plot is very inventive.

There is also a twist at the end that you won't see coming and is an awesome, thrilling way to end this beloved sequel. And, hopefully, 'Psycho III' is as good as this one! Planning on checking it out for next year's Halloween marathon if it's available on streaming.

'Psycho II' can currently be found on the Peacock streaming platform and can also be available to rent via Apple TV, Redbox, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play and Amazon Prime Video.

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Psycho II':

• The reflection of young Norman Bates in the door knob when he flashes back to his mother's poisoning is Perkins' son, Oz Perkins.

• The original house set was used and the motel was reconstructed.

• Producer Hilton A. Green originally suggested Jamie Lee Curtis to play Mary Loomis due to her being the daughter of Janet Leigh and having success with 'Halloween.' Curtis had a scheduling conflict though, and didn't want to return to the horror genre after getting a huge role in the 1983 comedy 'Trading Places.'

• Anthony Perkins was given an audio cassette tape of the opening title theme by composer Jerry Goldsmith. The music allegedly brought Perkins to tears.

• Writer Robert Bloch published the novel 'Psycho II' in 1982. The plot of the book is very different from the film. It has Bates escaping from the mental institution and traveling to Hollywood to stop the production of a film based on his life. Universal was reportedly upset by Bloch's tale on the horror film industry and this led to the development of this 1983 film sequel.

• The scene in Norman's childhood bedroom where Mary confronts him on the bed was added by the screenwriter at the request of Perkins, who felt that his character needed a moving moment with the character of Mary Loomis.

• Director Richard Franklin was a Hitchcock student - they first met when Franklin ran a Hitchcock discussion/retrospective during his first semester at USC - and even visited him on the set of 'Topaz.'

• The film was originally conceived as a TV movie. However, when Perkins decided to reprise his role, the film became a theatrical release.

• The filmmakers called Hitchcock's daughter to get her blessing for a sequel, and asked for her thoughts.

• When the film opened on June 3, 1983, it warned $8.3 million in its opening weekend at No. 2 (behind 'Return of the Jedi') and went on to gross over $34 million.