Norma Louise Bates (Vera Farmiga) buys a small motel in White Pine Bay, Oregon after leaving behind her husband's mysterious death. Her son Norman (Freddie Highmore) befriends chronically-ill Emma Decody (Olivia Cooke) and popular girl Bradley Martin (Nicola Peltz). He finds a mentor in his teacher Miss Watson (Keegan Connor Tracy). The new start turns sour rather quickly as the murders pile up. Norma's estranged son Dylan Massett (Max Thieriot) arrives in town. She reveals that Norman killed her husband in a delusional state. Sheriff Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell) investigates the deaths and the town's cash crop business. Norma is distressed by the arrival of her brother Caleb Calhoun (Kenny Johnson) and their deep, dark secret.
This is a reimagining of the Psycho franchise. Highmore has the frailty and damage of Anthony Perkins. The star performance has to be Farmiga. She delivers a frantic explosive craziness. It's a lot of fun. The show is intriguing but it does struggle as it approaches the original movie's events. The fifth and final season basically takes that movie and twists it into a pretzel. The big addition is Rihanna as Marion Crane. She is functional in the role although I don't think it's necessary to provide the back story. After all, it is Norman's show and the audience doesn't need to be set up like the original movie. The season is not quite as compelling after Norma's death. Despite Farmiga's continued presence, she is not the real Norma and the movie loses some of the explosive emotions. Overall, this is intriguing with some compelling performances.
This is a reimagining of the Psycho franchise. Highmore has the frailty and damage of Anthony Perkins. The star performance has to be Farmiga. She delivers a frantic explosive craziness. It's a lot of fun. The show is intriguing but it does struggle as it approaches the original movie's events. The fifth and final season basically takes that movie and twists it into a pretzel. The big addition is Rihanna as Marion Crane. She is functional in the role although I don't think it's necessary to provide the back story. After all, it is Norman's show and the audience doesn't need to be set up like the original movie. The season is not quite as compelling after Norma's death. Despite Farmiga's continued presence, she is not the real Norma and the movie loses some of the explosive emotions. Overall, this is intriguing with some compelling performances.