Norman Bates

Norman Bates pioneered the modern psychological thriller villain, making audiences terrified of shower curtains for decades. Anthony Perkins' boyish motel owner in Hitchcock's Psycho subverts expectations with layered vulnerability and hidden violence. Psycho grossed $32 million on a $1 million budget in 1960, a 32x return that beats the average horror film's profitability. Bates is more psychologically complex than #8 Anton Chigurh, as his duality between mother and son creates a chilling, relatable monster.