Psycho Audiences

Question 1

Intended Audience of Psycho

Answer 1

Early 1960’s Americans

Question 2

Contemporary Audience of Psycho

Answer 2

More globalized: an audience watching in 2025

Question 3

How did the Intended Audience consume Psycho? 4 points.

Answer 3

• Cinemas
• Dark
• Start to finish
• No prior knowledge

Question 4

How does the Contemporary Audience consume Psycho?

Answer 4

• On any sized device, anywhere, anytime
• Ability to pause, restart, adjust speed
• Solo consumption
• Cultural knowledge of plot points, twists, etc

Question 5

Reception: How did audiences at the time of the film’s release respond?

Answer 5

• As Psycho was much more graphic than other films of the Hays’ code era, audiences were very shocked by scenes such as the shower scene and the opening scene in the hotel room.

Question 6

How do contemporary audiences read this film?

Answer 6

• Contemporary audiences have already generally been exposed to the plot points of Psycho through popular culture: in contrast to the audience of 1960 when Hitchcock kept the plot a closely guarded secret. This lessens the shock and suspense generated by Psycho when viewed by a modern audience.