The death scene in the film Psycho

Analysing the semiotics in the film 'Psycho'

In the famous shower death scene of this film, the person holding the knife is shown as a black silhouette, connoting mystery and creating an eerie feel as we don't know who the person is or if it is a woman or man. The use of the colour black has bad connotation as it could represent darkness and evil. Also, the silhouette holds the knife in a ruthless way that suggests that he or she is going to stab the woman in the shower instead of slice and makes the whole situation more brutal . The knife itself represents danger and brutality while also showing the audience a primitive side to this character, linking to animalistic and savage behaviour.

The fact that the woman is naked could represent vulnerability or innocence and also links to the the sin of lust and therefore evil in general. The shower connotes tranquility and is seen as a safe environment, while the water connotes purity and cleanliness. This tranquility and purity is challenged with the brutal stabbing and the dark blood that pours from the body. The image shows that the woman is holding her hand out signifying a cry for help; this is a natural human instinct showing she is reaching out for hope.

The shower head point of view shows the woman's point of view and could connote the fact that she is being watched by someone.  As it is a point of view shot it could suggest that all her attention is on the shower head and is unaware of her surroundings, making her more vulnerable and makes the audience anticipate that there might be something or someone in the room. The water trickling down could mirror the blood that later trickles down her body when she lies dead.