Hitchcock 2012

In 1959, acclaimed director Alfred Hitchcock, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, celebrates the success of his latest project, North by Northwest. However, he is unsettled by a reporter’s hint that it’s time for him to retire. Eager to reclaim the creative boldness of his younger days, he surprisingly rejects offers, including one to adapt Casino Royale, in favor of the unsettling horror novel Psycho by Robert Bloch, inspired by the notorious crimes of serial killer Ed Gein.

His wife and invaluable artistic partner, Alma, played by Helen Mirren, is far from enthused about this choice, echoing the disapproval of their friends, particularly writer Whitfield Cook, who is keen for her to consider his screenplay. Nevertheless, she begins to warm up to Alfred’s daring vision, even suggesting the groundbreaking twist of killing off the film’s female lead early on. To their surprise, persuading the studio executives proves to be a formidable challenge, leading Hitchcock to take the unconventional step of funding the film with his own money, utilizing the crew from his television series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Alfred faces mounting pressure during this self-funded endeavor. He struggles with the scrutiny of Geoffrey Shurlock from the Motion Picture Production Code, and his infamous flirtation with actresses, including the film’s lead, Janet Leigh, performed by Scarlett Johansson, irritates Alma to her breaking point. To find an outlet, she begins secretly collaborating with Whitfield on his script at his beach house, unbeknownst to Alfred. Upon discovering this, Alfred’s jealousy flares as he imagines a betrayal, affecting his work on key scenes such as the infamous, intensely crafted shower scene.

As tensions rise, Alma’s unwavering commitment shines through when she steps in to oversee production during Alfred’s bout of exhaustion and illness. Yet, after Alfred’s harsh inquiry about her fidelity, a hurt Alma fiercely denies any infidelity, feeling deeply offended by the accusation given her sacrifices for their relationship.

The situation worsens as Alfred’s rough cut of Psycho is poorly received and Alma witnesses Whitfield’s indiscretions with a younger woman. However, through their tribulations, Alfred and Alma find common ground, ultimately leading them to refine the film together. Their partnership blossoms again as Alma persuades Alfred to incorporate Bernard Hermann’s iconic string score for the shower scene, amplifying its terrifying impact.

After skillfully maneuvering Shurlock to leave the content of the film mostly unchanged, Alfred faces disappointing news about Psycho’s limited release and marketing. To remedy this, he devises unique theater instructions to draw crowds, such as restricting entry after the film begins. At the premiere, as he awaits audience reactions, he receives overwhelming praise for his latest masterpiece.

In a grateful acknowledgment of Alma’s contributions, Alfred expresses his heartfelt thanks in front of the audience at the screening, solidifying their love. Back at home, he reflects on Psycho as a pinnacle of his artistic journey, hinting at his next project. Just then, a crow lands on his shoulder, an allusion to his subsequent success with The Birds, as he turns to embrace his beloved wife.