Bates Motel
A mentally disturbed man who roomed with the late Norman Bates at a psychiatric facility inherits the infamous Bates Motel after his death and attempts to fix it up as a respectable business.
Insights
Plot Summary
This made-for-television film serves as a sequel to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. When Norman Bates is released from a mental institution, he inherits a motel. He soon finds himself drawn back into his violent tendencies, and a documentary filmmaker begins to suspect something sinister is afoot.
Critical Reception
The 1987 'Bates Motel' TV movie received a generally mixed to negative reception from critics and audiences alike. It was often seen as a pale imitation of the original 'Psycho' and failed to capture the same psychological depth or terror. While some appreciated the attempt to revisit the iconic character, most found it uninspired and unnecessary.
What Reviewers Say
- Fails to live up to the legacy of the original 'Psycho'.
- An uninspired and largely forgettable television movie.
- Lacks the suspense and psychological complexity that made the original a classic.
Google audience: Audience reviews for 'Bates Motel' (1987) are scarce, but those available suggest disappointment. Viewers often cite a lack of originality and a significant dip in quality compared to the iconic film it attempts to follow, leading to a generally unfavorable impression.
Fun Fact
This television movie was intended as a pilot for a potential series, but it was ultimately not picked up.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources