Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the shower, Anthony Perkins returned as Norman Bates, 22 years after he first operated the Bates Motel under Alfred Hitchcock's management. Unlike most sequels, this one comes off remarkably well. Perkins is in fine, twitchy form, developing the character with some sly touches of black humour rather than simply reprising it. 'I'm sorry,' he apologises to sympathetic Meg Tilly, who's trying to keep him on the sane and narrow. 'I just moved back here. I forgot to bring any... cutlery.' Vera Miles is back too, protesting at his release and still out to get him for her sister's murder. Terrific at first, too graphic later, but unexpectedly good for all that. 'I think I'll take a shower,' says the girl. Cue for Perkins twitch and audience collapse.


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