Psycho: Article Summary Essay Analyzing Hitchcock's Film

This essay provides an analysis of Hitchcock's film "Psycho" in relation to the article "Hitchcock’s Conscious Use of Freud’s Unconscious" by Sandis (2009). The essay explores how Hitchcock, while influenced by Freudian psychoanalysis, ultimately presents a critical perspective on the theory. It highlights Hitchcock's use of Freudian concepts such as the unconscious, dreams, guilt, and repression within the film's narrative, while also emphasizing Hitchcock's own genius and observational skills in creating a psychological thriller. The essay discusses how Hitchcock blended both fictional and factual accounts to develop a film that explores the complexities of sanity and insanity, as well as the director's affinity towards the utilization of the Freudian psychological theory in the concerned movie. The conclusion emphasizes that Hitchcock, despite being inspired by Freud, used his intuition and observational skills to create a unique psychological thriller.

Running head: PSYCHO 1
PSYCHO: ARTICLE SUMMARY ESSAY
Student’s Name:
Institution’s Name:
Course Title:
Date:

PSYCHO 2
Psycho: Article Summary Essay
Hitchcock’s 1960’s masterpiece “Psycho” is still considered as a trendsetter. The
immaculate infusion and amalgamation of suspense, thrill and psychological theories has
made the movie an immortal one in the genre of psychological thriller. In order to understand
the essence of the movie it is imperative to analyze the article, “Hitchcock’s Conscious Use
of Freud’s Unconscious,” in which Sandis () has put much emphasis on the intricate
relationship between Hitchcock’s masterpiece and the Freudian hypothesis.
Sandis (2009) has pointed out that in the movie, “Psycho,” Hitchcock dauntlessly
used the concept of psychoanalysis as popularized and propounded by Freud. But despite
being influenced by the Freudian ideology and theory, what Sandis (2009) has suggested is
that, Hitchcock has actually tried to demonstrate his apathy towards thoroughly believing in
the validity of the psychoanalytic theory and practice. Sandis (2009) has pointed out that, in
the movie, “Psycho,” Hitchcock has actually tried to mock the Freudian theory in a thorough
and explicit manner. Even though the genius of Hitchcock compelled him to appreciate the
attractiveness of the Freudian psychoanalytic theory, in the movie, “Psycho,” the director did
infuse the charm and essence of the Freudian legacy. Hitchcock’s appreciation of Freudian
theory is quite visible in “Psycho.” Through the cinematography and plot what Hitchcock did
depict in the movie was his interest towards exploring the Freudian aesthetics. Moreover,
what Sandis (2009) has pointed out is that, throughout the movie “Psycho” (1960) Hitchcock
has rendered efforts to bring before the audience some of the specific Freudian concepts that
had only been theorized prior to the release of the movie. Sandis (2009) has noted that the
masterly blending of the unconscious with the dreams and the amalgamation of guilt with
repression that had been the hallmark of “Psycho” are actually the outcome of Hitchcock’s
affection towards Freudian theory of psychoanalysis. The contradiction between the concept
of divided mind and scientific validity that has often been the focus of Freudian discussion

PSYCHO 3
had also been one of the primary themes of Hitchcock’s masterpiece, “Psycho.” But in the
concerned article, Sandis (2009) has never tried to underestimate the genius of Hitchcock.
And that is one primary reason why Sandis (2009) has put much emphasis on the personal
skills of the director in transcending the audience to the terrific and horrific world of a
psychopath. Sandis (2009) has pointed out that despite being inspired by the Freudian theory,
Hitchcock’s own intuition and his genius both helped him in creating a psychological thriller
without depending on any single theory of psychology. A good old-fashioned introspection
coupled with a high quality observational skill helped Hitchcock in transforming “Psycho”
from a thriller to a gem of a movie. And this truth has been thoroughly conveyed by Sandis
(2009) in the concerned article.
Moreover, it must also be noted that Sandis (2009), highlighting the skills of
Hitchcock as a director, has pointed out how Hitchcock used both fictional and factual
accounts in the course of developing a movie that, till date, has been considered among the
best movies in the psychological thriller genre. What Sandis (2009) has revealed is that;
Hitchcock’s genius in gaining psychological insight by combining direct observation of the
criminal lives with the behaviors of the people who surrounded him, made it possible for
Hitchcock to produce a film like “Psycho” that has been thoroughly successful in bringing
about poise between two contradictions – sanity and insanity. But it has to be taken into
account that Sandis (2009) has thoroughly conveyed Hitchcock’s affinity towards the
utilization of the Freudian psychological theory in the concerned movie. Sandis (2009), in the
concerned article, has claimed that, it was the magnetic power of Freud and not the validity of
his theory that attracted Hitchcock the most, propelling the rise of an immaculate movie that
changed the face of American movies forever.
In conclusion, in the concerned article Sandis (2009) has tried to establish the truth
that despite being influenced by the charm and magnetism of Freud and his theory, nullifying

PSYCHO 4
the validity of the psychoanalysis theory, Hitchcock strived to depict a thoroughly different
picture of psychological turmoil in a psychopath in a different manner. Sandis (2009) has
rightly pointed out that in spite of being inspired by the Freudian theory, Hitchcock’s own
intuition and his genius both helped him in creating a psychological thriller without
depending on any single theory of psychology. A good old-fashioned introspection coupled
with a high quality observational skill helped Hitchcock in transforming “Psycho” from a
thriller to a gem of a movie. And this truth has been thoroughly conveyed by Sandis (2009)
in the concerned article.
(766 words)

PSYCHO 5
References
Sandis, C. (2009). Hitchcock’s Conscious Use of Freud’s Unconscious. Europe’s Journal of
Psychology, 3, 56-81.