10 Horror Sequels That Turned The Villain Into A Hero

Psycho's serial killer Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) embarks on a villain-hero flip-flop throughout the entire franchise, which seems content to say that Norman is an incredibly troubled man due to his abusive childhood, but that, deep down, he's trying to be good.

In Psycho II, Norman is released from prison after doing his time and apparently being cured, though by film's end reverts to his killer ways. 

In the third film, Norman continues to wrestle with his murderous urges and ends up institutionalised,

But in the series' final film, Psycho IV: The Beginning, Norman has again been rehabilitated and released, though yet again fights against his dark proclivities. The difference this time, however, is that Norman successfully fends them off, breaking free of Mother's control, burning his childhood home down, and moving on with his life once and for all.

Norman is a complicated character at the best of times, but by the end of Psycho IV, it seems like he's finally triumphed over his troubled past for good.