15 Greatest Ever Horror Movie Villains

13. Norman Bates (Psycho)

pennywise it
Paramount Pictures

The original psychopath, as lovingly dictated by Hitchcock's own title for the film, Norman Bates is undeniably one of the greats of the horror villain universe. A charsimatic, quirky, and unassuming young man, Norman is the last person you'd expect to launch themselves at you with a giant knife. And that's exactly what makes him so scary.

Another man suffering from psychological trauma and a mounting pile of mommy issues, Norman Bates' seemingly quaint motel is deadly for any potential guests wanting a place to stay. Suffering from a split personality which makes a home in his head for his dead mother, his appearance on screen was in a film so controversial that it made people faint in the cinema. Hitchcock has always been go big or go home.

Contributor
Contributor

Horror film junkie, burrito connoisseur, and serial cat stroker. WhatCulture's least favourite ginger.