Netflix is set to remove a highly influential film from its library this August.
With each new month, Netflix sees a rotation of titles, resulting in some being removed from the platform.
While the streaming service does provide advance notice, it’s easy to overlook when one of your favorite films is about to depart.
It’s only natural to miss these updates sometimes.
If you’re a fan of horror or cinema in general, this particular removal might be disappointing.
Unfortunately, an iconic Alfred Hitchcock film, known for its intense scenes, is leaving the service.
This film includes a famously terrifying shower scene, sparking curiosity and fear.
The film being removed is none other than Psycho. Released in 1960, this movie was revolutionary and changed how audiences experience cinema today.
Before Psycho, theaters screened films continuously, allowing audiences to enter at any time and piece together the story. This viewing method was outlined by Chichester Cinema.
However, Psycho’s suspenseful plot required a shift in this practice. Hitchcock and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer advocated for set start times, forever altering cinematic norms.
The storyline centers on Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who absconds with a large sum of stolen money. She ends up at the remote Bates Motel, where she meets the peculiar innkeeper, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), and his enigmatic mother.
When Marion disappears, a chilling investigation begins to uncover the dark reality of Norman’s disturbed psyche and multiple murders.
Psycho boasts a 97 percent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience reviews, numbering over 100,000, give it a slightly lower score of 95 percent.
The site’s critics’ consensus states: “Infamous for its shower scene, but immortal for its contribution to the horror genre. Because Psycho was filmed with tact, grace, and art, Hitchcock didn’t just create modern horror, he validated it.”
A social media user commented: “Alfred Hitchcock is undoubtedly the master of suspense. He makes a lot of bold decisions throughout this film that would become staples in the horror genre.” They also commended Perkins for his role as Norman Bates.
Janet Leigh’s performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, though she reportedly developed a fear of showers due to her involvement in the film.
If you plan to watch it one last time, be sure to do so soon; Psycho is leaving Netflix in the US on Friday, August 1st.