This screenshot from Psycho comes just after the shower scene in which Marion is murdered. In this scene restricted narration is used as we never see a knife penetrate her body, a technique which leads the audience to visualise what is happening. As she collapses on the bath there is a close-up on the blood circling the drain. Through a graphic match cut, the shot fades to an extreme close-up of Marion’s eye and the camera continues to slowly revolve. The use of slow montage in this scene works in stark contrast to the quick shots of the shower scene beforehand. This slow editing makes the sadness of her death even more pronounced. Furthermore, the addition of the water on her face alludes to tear drops and they add to the feeling of unease when the camera is so close and intimate. Marion is the archetypal blonde, thin, attractive victim in this scene, particularly as she is naked. This adds to the theme of sexual taboo, especially when we know Norman’s attraction to her. The lighting in this scene is also high key, starkly contrasted to the gloomy night outside.
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