10 Least Terrifying Villains In Horror Movie History
6. Norman Bates - Psycho (1998)
The second out-and-out remake of a horror classic here, with poor casting and inept direction to blame for this lame imitation of an iconic horror villain. The casting of Vince Vaughan in the role of Norman Bates was the first of many mistakes, and Vaughan simply doesn't go close to creating the crazed menace so wonderfully portrayed by Anthony Perkins.
Vaughan's Bates doesn't work on many levels, his performance simply feeling like an amateurish retelling of some of film's most iconic lines. The fact that he doesn't exude or have the look of a man who is quite unhinged just makes the experience with Mr Bates all the more tedious. Rather than feeling intimidated by his presence, you just feel like going to bed for a bit of shut eye to avoid the dull conversation.
The biggest problem with this villain is the fact that we had quite literally seen it all before. For reasons only known unto himself, director Gus Van Sant decided to recreate Psycho shot for shot, word for word. There wasn't even use of advanced camera and editing equipment to add a unique feel for the deaths, with the detective's demise remaining as tacky as the original.