Watch Bates Motel

Bates Motel is a gripping psychological horror drama that aired on A&E from 2013 to 2017. The show is a prequel to the iconic movie "Psycho" and chronicles the formative years of Norman Bates, played by Freddie Highmore, and his mother Norma Bates, portrayed by Vera Farmiga. The show explores the dark and twisted relationship between mother and son, the origins of Norman's psychopathy, and the events that ultimately led to him becoming the infamous killer depicted in the movie.

The show follows the Bates family as they move to a small town in Oregon to start a new life after the death of Norma's husband. They purchase a rundown motel on the outskirts of town, where they attempt to run the business and rebuild their lives. The arrival of the Bates family into the town sets off a chain reaction of events that slowly unravels the dark secrets, hidden agendas, and deviant personalities of the town's residents.

Freddie Highmore delivers a chilling performance as Norman Bates. He perfectly captures the character's innocence, vulnerability, and inner turmoil, while also displaying hints of the cold and calculating persona that he would later become. Vera Farmiga delivers an equally compelling performance as Norma Bates. She portrays the character with a mix of loving devotion, fierce protectiveness, and manipulative controlling behavior that adds a layer of complexity to their relationship.

The supporting cast is also excellent. Max Thieriot portrays Dylan, Norma's eldest son from a previous marriage, who has a troubled past and a strained relationship with his mother and adoptive brother Norman. Olivia Cooke plays Emma, a girl with cystic fibrosis who befriends Norman and becomes involved in his life. Nicola Peltz plays Bradley, a popular girl at Norman's school who develops a romantic interest in him. Nestor Carbonell plays Sheriff Alex Romero, the local police officer who is both suspicious and protective of the Bates family. Michael Vartan, Jere Burns, and Kathleen Robertson all provide excellent performances in their respective roles as well.

The show's cinematography is dark and moody, perfectly capturing the suspenseful and eerie tone of the show. The setting of the Bates Motel itself, with its creepy exterior and claustrophobic interior, adds to the unsettling atmosphere. The show's score also deserves a special mention for its spooky and suspenseful themes.

One of the biggest strengths of Bates Motel is its excellent writing. The show manages to balance horror, drama, and character development in a way that keeps you on edge and invested in the story. The show's creators, Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin, manage to create a world that is both familiar yet twisted, where you can't help but feel a sense of dread as the story unfolds.

In conclusion, Bates Motel is a must-watch show for fans of psychological horror and thriller dramas. It is a well-acted, well-written, and well-executed prequel to the classic movie "Psycho." The show manages to take a familiar story and make it unique, by delving deep into the minds of its characters and exploring the darker aspects of human nature.

Bates Motel is a series that ran for 5 seasons (51 episodes) between March 4, 2013 and on A&E