Classic Movie. Modern Setting-- Psycho (1960)
What if Psycho was made in today’s times? Would it still be known as the cult classic of Horror? Or would we regard it as a movie with dozens of plot holes and implausibilities?
Here’s what would happen if Psycho was made in a modern setting
1) Different Style: Would Psycho still be filmed the way it was? There are so many different ways to tell the story now with the most popular one being the Found-Footage style. Imagine this story is being told either by Marion who wants to record her road trip to go see her boyfriend Sam. Or the story may be told through the Bates Motel cameras.
Perhaps, a documentry-style approach may be used instead where the main character is the Sheriff who introduces the world to a bizarre case he recently solved.
2) Darker Tone: No one wants to play it safe. Horror filmmakers today like to push the envelope when they are telling a story. Psycho too would receive the same treatment. No more using black and whites. If anything, the colors would be more vivid, thereby making the splatters of blood look more gruesome during the shower scene.
3) Further Exploration into Mental Disorders: The movie would no doubt start with a lengthy prologue that serves as a backstory of the Bates family. It would even contain one vital clue to the characters’ mental disorder. Throughout the movie, there would be more clues scattered about so that when it all comes together, it is understandable that Norman had a mental disorder.
4) Title Change: With all the inclusivity and sensitivity calls going on, one of the first things that could change would be the title and replaced with something that is not likely to offend anyone. It would be safer and possibly about the place. Bates Motel. Yes, there was a TV series with the same name.
5) Dealing with Technology: Cell phones are traceable so Marion would have to ditch hers the minute she decides to steal the money. She may buy a burner phone to keep in touch with her boyfriend and let him know about her whereabouts.
There would be cameras on the road even if Norman decides to disable all his security cameras.
Once Marion would go missing, her sister Lila would have used social media to ask for help in locating her sister. Marion’s disappearance could go viral!
6) More Complex Characters: If the characters were built to reflect the challenges people face today, then there is bound to be a myriad of reasons that prompt Marion to steal in the first place, and then change her mind later on.
She would be low on rent, and receiving several bills in the mail. Sam could be having his own issues with his family which is why he is debt or there is a business venture that went down the drain.
Marion wouldn’t impulsively steal money knowing that if she was caught, she would be punished severely and not be able to have her happily ever after.
Norman’s backstory would be further explored. Even the sheriff would have a backstory that is related to the Bates, which is why he is so invested in this case.
7) The stakes would be higher: Marion would not be stealing $40,000 only. If she had to steal for a better life for her and Sam, that amount would go in rent leaving them with nothing. She would steal more, and then there would be a reason why the customer hands over that much cash instead of using bank transfer.
Norman would realize that Marion’s death will be investigated and he would be on high alert, and able to defer questions more aptly.
8) The Violence level would be high: There would be blood splatters and guts flying about. There would be more killings leading to a higher body count, and each killing would be jaw-dropping gruesome. The movie would come with a rating that would bar teenagers from even hearing about the movie.
9) Detailed Investigation: The investigation in the movie would be far more detailed. There would be forensics experts looking around and detectives finding possible connections to previous murders. Turns out Marion was not the first victim. Before the interstate bypassed the local highway, Bates Motel saw several guests and not all of them made it alive.
10) The Twist: Spoiler Alert…Norman is the killer. He has been pretending to be his dead mother all along because he has a multiple personality disorder.
In a modern setting, the twists would keep coming, stupefying the viewer. It could go from something like Norman’s mother still being alive and pretending to be her son which she murdered. Or it could be a twist where Marion, fed up of being broke and betrayed by Sam who turned out to have another girl on the side, loses her mind. She is the one committing murders after being pushed on the edge.
In the end, she assumes the identity of the Bates and takes over the motel.
So, are you glad Psycho was made in the 1960s or would you want a remake in the modern setting?
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