10 Horror Movies Where NOBODY Guessed The Killer

9. Emma Spool - Psycho II

Deep Red 1975
Universal

Though Psycho II was rubbished by critics and most fans at the time of its release, reception to it has certainly warmed over time, as folk finally found themselves able to accept it on its own terms rather than endlessly compare it to Alfred Hitchcock's peerless original.

Set 22 years after the first film, Psycho II sees an apparently cured Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) returning to the Bates Motel after being released from a mental institution, only for bodies to start piling up once again.

Naturally, the audience is led to suspect Norman himself of committing the crimes, but the film's climax reveals the culprit to actually be waitress Emma Spool (Claudia Bryar), who additionally reveals herself to be Norman's biological mother. 

Her motive? Harming anyone who dared to torment her son following his release.

Given the dicey potential of fiddling with the original film's legacy by revealing that the woman who raised Norman was actually his aunt, it's impressive how well this all works - and you definitely won't see that ending coming.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.