This made-for-TV movie was the last Psycho movie to star Anthony Perkins, who died in 1992.
Norman Bates calls into a radio talkshow to discuss his history of murders, and declares that he is about to kill again. The film alternates between Norman talking to the radio host, and flashbacks to Norman's life prior to the original Psycho movie. It turns out that Norman Bates has been released from the mental institution, and is now married to his psychiatrist…
Henry Thomas – the kid from E.T. – plays the teenage Norman Bates. Olivia Hussey plays Norman's mother. CCH Pounder plays the radio host.
There are several continuity issues, due to a decision to ignore the previous sequels. There's also an explanation for why Norma Bates is much younger than the grey-haired lady one might be expecting.
This movie is a mixed bag. The sequences with Norman Bates talking to the radio host are dramatic and suspenseful. The flashbacks are disappointing. Olivia Hussey is beautiful as ever playing Norma Bates, but Henry Thomas as the young Norman Bates lacks any interest or appeal. This film reveals a number of murders prior to the original Psycho, and shows how Norma Bates alternately seduced and spurned her teenage son. The ending is campy and low budget, but it does bring the Psycho series to a conclusion.
I'll give this one 6 stars. (5.5 stars on IMDB.) If you've watched the previous movies, you might as well see this one too.
The trailer: youtu.be/DbotJWP9zZc
