The Psychotic Character

Norman Bates. One of the most influential 'Psychotic Characters' from the well known movie 'Psycho'. He is based on a real person with a split personality disorder. He frequently throughout the film becomes 'his dead mother' When faced with situations Norman lets his once highly controlling mother take over. The crazy, deluded character of a seemingly boy-next-door is influential in most psychotic characters today.

'The shining is considered one of the best films ever made. Jack Torrence (the neurotic character in this film) takes up the responsibility of a caretaker of a hotel. He is troubled by alcohol and writers block which slowly takes over him. His son Danny has a unique ability of 'The Shining' which allows him to see the past and future, its interpreted that the dark spirit uses Jack as a way to kill Danny.

The Uninvited, a new horror film also contains the mentally disturbed character, Anna. After her mothers death in a fire, Anna was admitted to a mental hospital, and was released 10 months later having to recollection of the incident. However dreams with 3 children and the strong belief that her mothers killer is the carer and her fathers new girlfriend constantly reoccur. Strange occurrences mount and the ending has a very big twist to the film, she is the killer all along without realising it. I wanted to add this character as I feel it is a good change from the typical middle-age male character. Its giving me the idea to use a younger psychotic role and helps show variety within my research.

This research has helped me look at the conventions of a psycho-type character and helped me conclude my own storyline. I believe that the character that is often portrayed in most psychological films tend to seem perfectly fine at the beginning of the film, however, the unusual behaviour builds up as the film progresses, ending with them having their final break down and the conclusion is drawn to an end. In a trailer, only the key parts of their behaviour is shown. For example, the ordinary behaviour/equilibrium then the disturbances mounting and dis-equilibrium - this is the ending of the trailer as the makers key aim is to make the audience want to see more.