Psycho (1960)

Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, redefined horror cinema with its psychological terror and groundbreaking storytelling. The film follows secretary Marion Crane's fateful stay at the isolated Bates Motel, where she encounters the disturbed owner Norman Bates. Hitchcock's innovative techniques - including the infamous shower scene with its staccato editing and screeching violins - created unprecedented suspense. Anthony Perkins' portrayal of Bates introduced a new kind of movie villain, blending sympathy and menace. Psycho broke conventions with its early main character death and twisted climax, establishing psychological horror as a dominant genre and influencing countless films that followed.