The relationship between Norman and Norma is completely disturbing. Obviously. Normal mother-son relationships don't normally lead to the son wearing the mother's clothes, killing people, and keeping the mother's skeleton in the basement. A boy's best friend is his mother, and that well may be, but their relationship goes so far beyond best friendship it isn't even funny. There is altogether too much physical contact between Norma and Norman -- she seems to regard her son as a surrogate lover. She's always casually touching him in ways that you would expect towards a boyfriend or a husband. She's totally cool with changing in front of him, and sometimes he peeps on her through the bedroom window while she's dressing. Overall, there is a complete lack of healthy boundaries between them. Them seem oddly codependent, and Norma gets sulky and passive aggressive when he wants to do things with other people. Honestly, this would be an unhealthy relationship even without the incestuous undertones. But as it is, you can't help the shiver that runs down your spine whenever Norman calls Norma "Mother" in that slightly worshipful voice. And when she walks in on him with another girl, well...the less said about that the better.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
