• News
  • Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles and Long Reads
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on FlickeringMyth.com
    • Write for Flickering Myth

Flickering Myth

Film & TV News, Reviews and Features

  • Movies
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Long Reads
  • Trending

The Most Terrifying Psycho Performances in Cinema

October 23, 2020 by Red Stewart

Red Stewart presents the most terrifying psycho performances in all of film…

Sociopathy is a mental illness that is as repelling as it is enticing. We all live in fear of some serial killer knocking down our door, yet we cannot help but be intrigued by the roots of it all. After all, what is it that causes someone to become so antisocial and lack empathy towards their fellow human beings?

Well, many movies have tried to tackle this question, though too often they simply falter to the generic good vs. evil route. Nonetheless, they have yielded some amazing performances from talented actors- performances that have gone on to be recognized as some of the greatest villainous acting in cinema.

SUPPORT FLICKERING MYTH: Subscribe to us on YouTube

Here are five of the very best, from Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning turn as The Joker in The Dark Knight to – of course – Anthony Perkins’ Norman Bates in Psycho…

What other psycho performances do you think are terrifying enough to be worthy of inclusion on this list? Let us know in the video comments or on our social channels @flickeringmyth…

Red Stewart

 

Filed Under: Articles, Opinions and Long Reads, Flickering Myth TV, Movies Tagged With: Andrew Robinson, Anthony Perkins, con air, Dirty Harry, Heath Ledger, Psycho, Robert Mitchum, Steve Buscemi, The Dark Knight, The Night of the Hunter

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Incredible Character Actors Who Elevate Every Film

The Most Overhated Modern Superhero Movies

The Best ‘So Bad It’s Good’ Horror Movies

Forgotten 90s Action Movies That Deserve a Second Chance

The Rise and Disappointing Disappearance of Director Richard Kelly

Ten Unmade Film Masterpieces

The Must-See Movies of 2015

Crazy Cult 90s Horror Movies You May Have Missed

10 Great Val Kilmer Performances

7 Underrated Ridley Scott Movies

FEATURED POSTS:

Movie Review – Is God Is (2026)

10 Essential On-the-Run Movies You Need to See

Movie Review – Obsession (2025)

12 Essential Job Title Movies

David Cronenberg’s The Fly at 40: A Love Letter to the Rot

The Essential Comedy Movies of 2006

7 Bizarre 80s Horror Movies You Might Have Missed

Death Spa: Horny, Stupid, and a Lot of Fun

10 Essential Thrillers from 2016

Movie Review – Mortal Kombat II (2026)

FLICKERING MYTH FILMS

 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Essential Movies About Memory

7 Great Life Affirming Robin Williams Movies

12 Essential Marchal Arts Movies To Enjoy This March

2025 in Film: What Did We Learn?

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles and Long Reads
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on FlickeringMyth.com
    • Write for Flickering Myth

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Movies
  • Features and Long Reads
  • Trending
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About Flickering Myth
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth