10 Best TV Series Based On Horror Movies

Bates Motel was created as a prequel/sequel to the film Psycho, with an alternate continuity to that shown in the films.

It depicts a teenage Norman Bates and his mother Norma (beautifully played by Vera Farmiga) and their move to the town White Pine Bay in Oregon after Norman kills his abusive father. They buy the Seafairer Motel with his insurance money, and rename it to the Bates Motel we are all familiar with.

The film only reveals Norman’s psychological disorder as a twist at the end, as the TV show takes the opportunity to delve much deeper into Norman and Norma's relationship, showing what broke the young man and contributed into his descent into madness.

This set up helps us to understand Norman much more, after he kills his mother and takes on her persona as one of his personalities. The addition of a half brother Dylan also adds another layer, bringing a different perspective to the dynamics of the Bates family.

As the show progresses to the events in Psycho, it turns the expected plot on its head, with Norman killing Sam Loomis instead of Marion Crane (played by Rihanna). This is a great twist for fans of the film as it is so unexpected and keeps the story fresh. The show keeps the murder in the shower to pay homage to the original plot.

The ending where Norman is finally killed by his stepbrother gives a neat closure to the series, and sees him returning to be with his mother in death.