Psycho Shower Scene Analysis

The extract from Gus Van Sant’s remake of Psycho (originally directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1960) lasts around 3 to 4 minutes and involves over 12 different shot angles and camera positions. This is used by the director to build tension and draw the audience through the scene. The variety of shot angles and positions also gives the viewer the perspective the director wants.

As the scene progresses, the director slowly reveals more of the story by increasing the amount of the room that the audience can see. For example Marion’s view of the shower head shows the wall, shower curtain and low ceiling, increasing the sense of this being an enclosed space. I feel this shows the audience how trapped Marion is.

 

 

Van Sant’s over-the-shoulder shot of Marion subtly alerts the audience to the presence of an intruder, who is just visible through the opaque shower curtain. As the shot continues the camera starts to move from Marion to the murderer entering the room. The director does this to show that the murderer’s entrance is performed slowly and smoothly just like the camerawork used.

 

The loss of life is shown through a continuity shot. I feel the director uses the blood trickling from Marion’s body to represent her life slipping away. This fades slowly from the trickle of blood moving down the plug-hole, to Marion’s lifeless eye.

 

The number of camera angles now increases as the director gives the audience a better perspective of the room.  In my opinion this does not decrease the tension as each shot is much shorter.

For example, the editing at the beginning of the scene was slow and shots were onscreen for over 4 seconds. As the tension builds, however, the length of shots decreases to around 2 to 3 seconds. This can disorientate the audience because they’re getting so many different angles so quickly. This effect is heightened by the audio of her scream and slow motion zooming to Marion’s mouth.

Though the scene uses both diagetic and non-diagetic sound to create different atmospheres it is the non-diagetic that is used to disorientate the audience. For instance, Van Sant uses the building screeching of non-diagetic violin noise to contribute to the scenes bloody climax.

The most effective way Mise En Scené is used in the clip is during the stabbing. The blood splatters over the shower but not all in one place. This gives a sense of realism to the stabbing. The gruesomeness of the shot can also repulse the audience like a real murder would. 

Overall, Psycho is a film which disorientates the audience through its effective use of close camerawork, shot length, editing and sound.