Psycho Mise En Scene Analysis

Anxiety, tension and uncertainty are words that directly relate to the ‘master of suspense’ himself. Alfred Hitchcock uses the elements of mise en scene and sound to build up tension and uncertainty, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats. Alfred Hitchcock has created many great thrillers, but Psycho is a prime example of a well-executed thriller. The lighting and sound are complemented with costuming and exquisite camera work. Two key scenes in the movie of Psycho that best portray Hitchcock's skilful use of mise en scene and sound are the scene in which Private investigator Arbogast is interviewing Norman and the scene where Marion is packing her case to run away to her boyfriend Sam with forty-thousand dollars. Alfred Hitchcock …show more content…
The addition of the black and white to portray the dark intent of the movie just heightens the feelings of suspense and not-knowing. In the scene where Marion wakes up to the cop outside her car window, the only source of lighting is the low-key lighting of the sun. And the black and white of the movie contrasts her face and hair with her clothes. This allows the scene to be set during the early hours of the day, which gives us the background that Marion has overslept. The contrast of her clothes and body in black and white symbolise how she was an innocent person, but when the chance arose to do something very bad for a good cause she took it. Her black clothes symbolise how the dark intent has consumed most of her. Whereas in the office scene, with Arbogast and Norman, there seems to be only one main source of lighting, a lamp on the desk. This lamp is positioned at eye-level, behind Arbogast illuminating a small portion of his face and the lamp is set in front Norman. The black and white also helps the shadows and lighting build suspense. This light source only illuminates half of Norman’s face slowly illuminating less, foreshadowing his mother’s murderous side coming out. But as the scene continues, his face becomes brighter when he is more relaxed and on top of his lies, then darker as Arbogast presses him and brings out gaps in his …show more content…
The actor’s positioning according to each other, their stance and their body language and facial expressions foreshadow what may happen, building suspense in the viewer. Facial expressions are a key element in the scene with Marion being interrogated by the police officer after she fell asleep on the side of the road. The police officer has a neutral, but serious expression, whereas Marion has worried expression which shows the contrast of their characters. Marion’s immediate grasp of the wheel shows that she has a lot to hide and is far from innocent. The effect of Marion’s worried expression immediately gives away, she is hiding something, but the police officer does not know what. Suspense and worry is built as the police officer checks her license and registration. The suspense is topped when Marion is being very short with the officer, saying that he is taking up her time and she has nothing to hide. The police officer’s neutral facial expression gives the scene a serious tone and makes him seem as if he won’t believe Marion’s story and will arrest her. Marion’s movements build suspense as she tries to leave, but is stopped. When Marion is allowed to go, she breathes a sigh of relief and relaxes her grip on the wheel. These movements release all of the tension and suspense of the scene. On the contrary, the scene with Private investigator Arbogast and Norman.