Bates Motel

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Season 1
  • Network:
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 18, 2013
Season #: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Bates Motel Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 410 Ratings

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  • Starring: , ,
  • Summary: The relationship between 17-year-old Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) is explored in this contemporary prequel to the movie "Psycho."
  • Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

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Bates Motel

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 34
  3. Negative: 3 out of 34
  1. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Chuck Barney
    Mar 14, 2013
    88
    A compelling thriller.
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Mar 14, 2013
    80
    Bates Motel turns out to be a worthy reimagining of the Norman Bates story.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Mar 18, 2013
    80
    Three episodes in, the story is certainly serpentine, at times self-consciously so. But there does appear to be writerly method in the madness. More important, there is Farmiga, and she, like Norma, appears up to any task.
  4. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Mar 18, 2013
    67
    A&E reboots the legend of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” but Bates Motel plays like a slow-burning riff on David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” sparked by some fascinating, nuanced performances.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Mar 18, 2013
    63
    It ain’t Hitchcock, but it ain’t bad. Too bad it ain’t new.
  6. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Mar 18, 2013
    60
    Whether other people's secrets will prove to be as interesting as the intimations of Norman's not-so-sweet future remains to be seen.
  7. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Mar 18, 2013
    20
    Having started with a bad premise, producers Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin then made it infinitely worse by rejecting the loneliness and isolation that were the nucleus of Hitchcock’s film.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 77
  3. Negative: 6 out of 77
  1. denisfangmusic
    Mar 13, 2014
    10
    I love the thrilling show. I watch it every single Monday on A&E network. I recommend this show to everyone who like's suspense. I also tweetI love the thrilling show. I watch it every single Monday on A&E network. I recommend this show to everyone who like's suspense. I also tweet a lot during the show and look through what people saying about the show. Every time i see like 40 tweets per 50 seconds its insane.… Expand
  2. GioeleDonalisio
    Oct 6, 2018
    10
    Una delle serie TV più belle sul mercato. Vince a mani basse. Freddie e Vera sono una coppia esplosiva, oltre che vincente. Ha catturato finUna delle serie TV più belle sul mercato. Vince a mani basse. Freddie e Vera sono una coppia esplosiva, oltre che vincente. Ha catturato fin dal primo minuto. Una storia che si anima con il passare delle puntate. Uno studio psicologico di Norman ben fatto e curato, ti fa capire la sua trasformazione. Te la fa vivere.… Expand
  4. dpaniagua
    Mar 19, 2013
    10
    so far its amazing from start to finish. the actors (vera farmiga and freddie highmore) give it their all in their outstanding performances.so far its amazing from start to finish. the actors (vera farmiga and freddie highmore) give it their all in their outstanding performances. its too good to miss out and you wont stop watching it.… Expand
  5. AmazingKnight
    Apr 8, 2013
    9
    Bates Motel so far has started out exceedingly well so far mainly because of its character development and its overall essentially creepyBates Motel so far has started out exceedingly well so far mainly because of its character development and its overall essentially creepy atmosphere. If the show keeps this up, along with the fantastic acting from Highmore and Farmiga, then we are sure to have a real hit TV show on our hands.… Expand
  6. MikefromAngus
    Apr 20, 2014
    8
    Intresting twist on a movie, that almost everybody watched! a Prequel set in our time. Actors are great, the show is interesting to watch.Intresting twist on a movie, that almost everybody watched! a Prequel set in our time. Actors are great, the show is interesting to watch. Season one ended on a cliff note! will watch season 2!… Expand
  7. Jhwarfield
    Sep 6, 2013
    7
    We all know how it ends, but exploring what makes Norman Bates tick is fascinating. The acting is fresh and the characters are wellWe all know how it ends, but exploring what makes Norman Bates tick is fascinating. The acting is fresh and the characters are well developed. A&E may have just become relevant.… Expand
  8. BamaGoatt
    Apr 6, 2013
    0
    I want to start by saying I knew this was a bad idea it is completely destroying a classic film. Now as bad as it is I still watch just toI want to start by saying I knew this was a bad idea it is completely destroying a classic film. Now as bad as it is I still watch just to poke fun at the little things like the deep fried father burnt to a crisp in episode 2 how is he still living? Either they went overboard on the make up or the guy looked like a cannibal's supper. The power of suggestion is a big thing to influence Norman I guess. What happened to the whole incest storyline much easier to believe that could drive one psycho instead of a stupid book with nudity in it. Why even use that book just give him some old playboys lol. By the end of season 1 I will not be able to watch any psycho again they have completely killed it.… Expand

See all 77 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best TV Season of 2013
16
#16 Most Discussed TV Season of 2013
11
#11 Most Shared TV Season of 2013

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