Norman is sort of the grandfather of horror film killers. He is an “every man” who wouldn’t stand out in a crowd. Norman Bates is the type of guy a mother might like to see take her daughter out. However, Bates gave new meaning to the term “mother issues” in Psycho.
On the surface, Bates is quiet and unassuming, which makes his brand of psychosis even more threatening. The Norman Bates character is the second character on our countdown to have been loosely based on Ed Gein. Anthony Perkins reprised the role for three sequels, including the much underrated Psycho II.
Weapon of choice: Kitchen knife.
