Directed by Anthony Perkins

Produced by George Zaloom Les Mayfield

Screenplay by Joseph Stefano

Starring Anthony Perkins, Henry Thomas, Oliva Hussey

Running time: 96 minutes

Original Release: November 10, 1990 (Showtime)

The increasingly tiring Psycho saga claws back some respectiability with this reasonable conclusion to the tale.  After the lukewarm Psycho III, the producers wisely opted to release this fourth and final instalment as a TV movie that intercuts Norman Bates’ troubled youth with his latest psychological crisis.  Admittedly, the shocks and frights are now long gone now and devotees of Hitchcock’s original will gape at the inaccuracies and Henry Thomas’ bland incarnation of the young Norman.  There’s enough intrigue and tension to get Norman and ‘Mother’ through one last round although its definitely time to call it a day.