Hitchcock: Psycho

Car Scene

The car scene shows Marion running away from her past but the heavy rain (pathetic fallacy) that hinders her vision foreshadows her bleak future at the Bates Hotel. The rousing, violin music makes us feel anxious and aware that something bad is to come.

Shower Scene 

Hitchcock has made the shower scene appear ordinary and somewhat peaceful to make Marion's death come as shock to the viewer. There is no music which we can either perceive as eerie or something that suits the ordinary feel. When the indistinguishable shadow of the murderer approaches there is still no sound which makes it all the more frightening when s/he tears the shower curtain open and the classic Psycho music plays. However, the close-ups of Marion's struggle in her facial expressions, her clawing hand and the blood which contrasts the white surroundings make this scene the most successful even if Hitchcock hadn't used sound altogether.

Staircase Scene

The staircase scene when Arbogast is killed by the 'mother', Hitchcock creates tension with the low angle shots of the house to create fear and suspense. The peaceful sound of crickets in the front garden is used contrapuntally to the tense, orchestral music in the background which is used to make Arbogast appear threatened.