Psycho II

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Psycho II

R

Released Jun 3, 1983

1h 53m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Two decades after the original murders at the Bates Motel, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) completes his treatment at a mental institution and returns home to find his hotel run down under the management of Warren Toomey (Dennis Franz). Despite a new friendship with a waitress (Meg Tilly) and a job busing tables at a diner, Norman begins to hear voices once again. No matter how hard he tries, Norman cannot keep "Mother" from returning and coaxing him to unleash the homicidal maniac within.

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Critics Consensus

Although it can't hold a cleaver to the classic original, Psycho II succeeds well enough on its own merits to satisfy horror fans.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

Franklin's consummate handling of suspense, black humour and several paradigm-shifting twists mak[e] this a worthy sequel to the original, and a convincing evocation of the old master's ghost.

Jul 31, 2017

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Director Richard Franklin deftly keeps the suspense and tension on high while dolling out dozens of shock-of-recognitions shots drawn from the audience's familiarity with Psycho.

Oct 20, 2008

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Though far from a worthy successor to the original (but why make impossible demands?) the film clearly could have been much worse.

Oct 20, 2008

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Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

'Psycho II' is one of the best sequels in any genre. Anthony Perkins continues to find new layers as Norman Bates as we enter a new dangerous chapter of legacy.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 31, 2024

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

A worthy attempt to reckon with the original picture’s legacy.

Oct 28, 2024

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Simultaneously the franchise's best and most frustrating sequel — complicating the clarity of its interrogation of America's relationship with mental health with a cacophonous and clumsy ending.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 13, 2023

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 53 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! Ages 17 and older!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In other words, mature audiences only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/14/25

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Audience Member

A damn good movie, and quite possibly the best horror sequel ever. The 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wish it had a more upbeat ending.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

Nick O

Norman Bates is a classic cinema villain and this flick thrusts him knife first into the era of “slasher” horror…and he fits right in!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Farah R

It’s incredible that Perkins managed to reprise his role over two decades later and still portray Norman Bates with the same creepy charm. While most sequels of classic films tend to flop, Psycho II isn’t bad. The plot coherently follows that of the first movie and the new additions made sense. Nevertheless, it by no means lives up to its predecessor.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/28/25

Full Review

Anton H

A sequel no one asked for, to one of the greatest thrillers ever, 22 years later… and it is excellent! Quentin Tarantino called Anthony Perkins’ performance one of the best in horror history, and it’s hard to argue against that.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

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James B

While nothing can match the original psycho II continues to astonish us with plenty of twists proving the psycho franchise isn't dead yet.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

Full Review

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Richard Franklin

Director

Anthony Perkins

Norman Bates

Vera Miles

Lila Loomis

Meg Tilly

Mary Loomis

Robert Loggia

Dr. Bill Raymond

Dennis Franz

Warren Toomey

Psycho II: Official Clip - Mother Calls

2:46

Psycho II: Official Clip - Mother vs. Mother

1:16

Psycho II: Official Clip - You Killed Them All!

2:35

Psycho II: Official Clip - Don't Let Them Take Me

2:38

Psycho II: Official Clip - It's Starting Again

3:03

Psycho II: Official Clip - The Bloody Bathroom

2:26

Psycho II: Official Clip - Stabbed to Death

1:57

Psycho II: Official Clip - Norman's Real Mother

3:37

Psycho II: Official Clip - The Peephole

1:52

Psycho II: Official Clip - Harassed at the Diner

2:55

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Synopsis

Two decades after the original murders at the Bates Motel, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) completes his treatment at a mental institution and returns home to find his hotel run down under the management of Warren Toomey (Dennis Franz). Despite a new friendship with a waitress (Meg Tilly) and a job busing tables at a diner, Norman begins to hear voices once again. No matter how hard he tries, Norman cannot keep "Mother" from returning and coaxing him to unleash the homicidal maniac within.

Director: Richard Franklin
Producer: Hilton A. Green
Screenwriter: Tom Holland
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 1983, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround

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