Analysis of 'Psycho' Shower Scene

One of the most famous scenes in the entirety of film is the shower scene. The scene begins with an unusually long introduction of Marion getting ready, and it's the length of time it takes that is suspicious, therefore building tension as the audience may feel something is about to happen. To begin with, the only sound that can be heard is just the shower running. Suddenly the, a black figure appears behind the shower curtain and draws swiftly closer to the shower. Then, a non diagetic soundtrack begins, rising the tension of the scene as the figure brings up the knife. The audience watching this scene is drastically affected by the tone of the music as it is so effective in raising the tension.

Camera Shots

One of the final shots of this scene is a low angle shot of Marion trying in vain to cling onto the shower curtain with her arm stretched toward the camera. This highlights how desperate Marion is to cling onto her life, and also because her arm is stretched out toward the camera, and she is also looking at the camera, it can make the audience feel involved and they could feel that she is asking for their help.

There is an extreme close up of the shower head above Marion in the scene. This shot may show a superior image over her, or more so a vulnerability in Marion. It could also highlight the importance of this shower and her inevitable death that is soon to follow.

The shot of the distorted silhouette of the murderer behind the shower curtain, highlights the ambiguity and anonymity of the character and is extremely effective for the audience in that they are able to see the impending danger for the character where she is not. This is an example of Hitchcock using an unrestrictive narrative, and how it creates incredible amounts of tension.