Storylines

Both stories were daring in presenting their respective killers as sympathetic "normal" looking characters, Peeping Tom is more unsettling in its establishment of the protagonist as both the killer, and the story’s only sympathetic victim. Thus, the audience is linked to the sadistic experience of the murderer, as compared to the more masochistic suturing with Marion as murder victim or Norman as Mrs. Bates’ "put upon" son. For all of its subversions, Psycho is more accessible and would naturally be understood and appreciated by a wider audience.

 Further Reading on this subject

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