Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho first terrorized moviegoers in 1960. It shattered cinematic and cultural barriers in its wake, ensuring its status as a cornerstone in American film history. The film starred Janet Leigh as Marion Crane and Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates. It ushered in a psychological thriller boom that would lay the groundwork for many future dramatists and wannabe filmmakers. Almost 60 years later, the film still continues to influence conversations about horror and suspense.
Despite the pandemic, in recent years the film industry achieved some of its most significant milestones in storytelling and representation. Parasite, from Avengers: Endgame director Bong Joon-ho, became the first foreign language film to win the Academy’s Best Picture Oscar. This innovative documentary pushes the boundaries of class consciousness and late-stage capitalism, touching a nerve with audiences around the world. The nature and face of cinema is changing at an unprecedented pace. Fresh films such as Netflix’s Lou, led by stars Allison Janney and Jurnee Smollett, and El Camino—which picks up the story from the award-winning series Breaking Bad—highlight the compelling narratives that modern audiences are demanding.
The Impact of Psycho on Cinema
As savvy moviegoers know, Psycho was a watershed moment in the history of cinema, as it opened up opportunities for what horror films could accomplish. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film not only shocked audiences with its twists but with its exploration of complex characters. Janet Leigh’s portrayal of Marion Crane remains iconic, while Anthony Perkins’ performance as the unsettling Norman Bates has become synonymous with psychological horror.
These unconventional storytelling methods, such as the use of music, editing, and camera angles, produced suspense in ways that had never been done before. That legendary shower scene has inspired endless interpretations and tributes. It’s a testament to the director’s skill in creating terror without displaying bloodshed.
“so freighted with increasingly unhinged possibilities.” – James Mercadante
The film’s legacy lives on well past its theatrical release. It paved the way for many filmmakers that followed who wanted to mix psychological drama with horror tropes. Technique Psycho is still a major touchstone in the discussions of movie technique and narrative innovation.
Parasite and Class Consciousness
Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a prime example of this trend. It is an intelligent and provocative film that dissects the class divide. The movie’s story follows two families, one upper-class and the other working-class, and examines the differences and interactions between their very different worlds. It deepens these bigger ideas of class consciousness and late-stage capitalism, forcing the viewer to stop and ask where they fit in this new society.
Parasite gives us a creative and powerful lens through which to examine social stratification. This innovation received the film critical acclaim and eventually its victory for the Best Picture Oscar. The film’s success is indicative of a growing appetite for stories that challenge traditional narratives and provoke thought about societal issues.
“If the movie is a Rorschach of who you identify as parasite and host, it’s a test you’re just as likely to fail.” – I.G.
Just judging the film’s accolades solely by its box office performance does a disservice to the film’s deep social commentary that’s especially echoed with audiences around the globe. As audiences continue to process its profound messages, Parasite continues to welcome viewers to examine their own positionality on the expanding socio-economic spectrum.
New Releases: Lou, El Camino, and Beyond
Since then, Netflix has produced critically-acclaimed, big ideas films like Lou starring Allison Janney and Jurnee Smollett. This beautifully crafted film weaves an intense story that melds an inspiring story of individual challenge with larger issues of sustainability and survival. Her raw, embracing performance brings meaning to a story that considers how emotional survival sometimes means more than just making it through the day.
Perhaps the only other Netflix title that deserves such high praise as The Irishman is El Camino, which continues pickling instantly where Breaking Bad left off. This film offers fans closure while weaving in familiar characters through a series of cameos that enrich the storyline. The story continues to inspire us, a testament to how connected narratives can enhance audience investment.
“There’s good fun in I Care a Lot‘s setup, and in Marla’s ruthless M.O.” – Gwen Ihnat
Additionally, movies such as Bird Box, featuring Sandra Bullock, focus on survival in post-apocalyptic worlds, highlighting mental anguish and the strength of the human spirit. Each subsequent release serves to further an ongoing dialogue about the place of genre films, particularly horror, within today’s cultural landscape.
Beyond all of these films, The Devil All the Time goes a bit further into its title. It’s an epic examination of morality and human nature over multiple timelines. Octavia Spencer proved her mettle in Ma, a Southern Gothic psychological thriller with Griffin’s aesthetic touches inspired by his longtime collaborator, Octavia Spencer, Tate Taylor’s directorial flourish.
Aubrey Plaza is tragic and terrifyingly brilliant in Emily the Criminal. Her piercing insights into the torment we inflict on those trying to navigate a system rigged to benefit profit over people is devastating. These movies are childlike wonders, expertly merging genres and themes. They are a testament to an audience eager for stories that speak to the realities of the challenges we’re facing.
