The horror-sequel oddity (and surprise hit) PSYCHO II was supposedly made partly because Robert Bloch, author of the original novel, had written his own version of a sequel that horrified the top brass at Universal—not because of its actual scare factor but because it is a crude and disturbing critique of Hollywood slasher flicks. In the studio-sanctioned version (unrelated to Bloch’s), Norman Bates (Perkins) is released from a mental institution twenty years after his original crimes. Back in his old home and seemingly a changed man, Norman tries getting back to normal life—working at a diner and befriending a young waitress (Tilly). But, soon, ‘mother’ starts tormenting him again and it’s unclear whether he is slipping back into insanity or being victimized by someone much more real—or perhaps both.