One of the worst movies I've ever seen

Let's be realistic.

Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I saw this just once on TV years ago. I wish I could find it somewhere on DVD, even if it didn't have extras, just so I could see it again. I can't even find it on tape to transfer to DVD on a borrowed machine.I liked that it tied up the end of the story of Norman Bates, who died and left it in his will to fellow inmate Alex in the asylum. Would be very nice to have this to add to the entire Psycho movie collection I have.The performances of the actors was good, especially Bud Cort and Moses Gunn. The hotel itself was recreated beautifully for this, complete with cobwebs, rundown, house, and all sorts of damage you'd expect for an abandoned building that hasn't been occupied in years. You just have to suspend the knowledge that the original house was burned down at the end of the fourth Psycho movie (they never did explain why the house was still standing in this one--did they put the fire out?).

Bates Motel is a terrible film. If you are a fan of Psycho and the Psycho series trust me, you are not missing anything.Where to start? The plot centres around a man named Alex who met Norman Bates in a sanitarium, and on Norman's death, is left the Bates Motel in his will. Alex then goes about finding the place, and fixing it up so Bates Motel can live on.Now here's how you know a movie is bad: 1) You go into it with low expectations and it's still awful.2) You take the film on it's own terms, not worrying how it relates to the Psycho franchise and it's still awful.3) You take it in the context that it's a pilot for a sitcom and it's still awful.Bates Motel is more of a comedy than anything else, and while I'm willing to accept (just) that the Psycho franchise can go in this direction, I cannot accept the woeful attempts at humour that are featured in the movie.The acting is terrible and the script woeful, complete with an ending that anyone who has seen an episode of Scooby Doo will guess very early on. This film is so far away from the original Psycho as to be offensive to anyone who treasures the original for the stone cold classic it is.Just please be aware, Bates Motel is rare and hard to get for a reason. It is awful, and stands as the worst film I have ever seen.

This was as scary as the first Psycho movie made in 1960, with Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles and John Gavin. It was full of suspense. A young guy Bud Cort, took Norman Bates wish, after his death in his will, to have the Bates Motel and Mother's House. The Psychiatrist thought it would be good. He did go and with help from a young girl named Willie and Moses Guinn helped him restore the Bates Motel. The young lad had financial trouble. However this Banker was trying to scare him away from the Bates Motel. Dressing as Norman Bates Mother and telling him scary stuff, about a murder that took place years ago. At the end the Banker got caught with some help from Willie she came in dressed as Mrs. Bates and got a confession. After all the excitement was over Bud got to keep the Motel. Norman Bates house behind the motel, should be made into an attraction for visitors. Make it into a Bed and Breakfast, your not going to get stabbed. It should be on the historical register.

In a perfect world, this "movie" would not have been made at all. Those of us putting our comments here are giving the movie more credit than it's worth by even posting. While watching the Sci-Fi channel, my husband and I saw that this was coming on and I was thrilled, being a major horror fan(especially a Bates fan!), yet having somehow missed its debut back in '87. After watching the first 5 minutes, I realized I was truly blessed that I did miss it! This is awful! I'm not even done watching yet and I have to say that with the possible exception of Boxing Helena, this is the WORST "movie" I've ever seen in my life! Any true fan of the horror genre should be embarrassed for the producers of this piece of fluff, and I'm surprised that Psycho fans didn't rebel. Anthony Perkins(AND Norman Bates)is probably spinning in his grave right now, and I can't say I'd blame him. I'm glad that this didn't catch on as a t.v. series, and I think I can truthfully say that my 3 year old could've done a better job. Stick with the excellent movies, and don't give this travesty a try, not even for the sake of curiosity.