Intertextuality

Intertextuality is a term used to describe the visual referencing between films. Film makers take inspiration from other successful films and borrow some elements to interpret it in their own films. This can include different aspects of mise en scene like the props used, the setting, clothing, sound or even lighting.

It is believed that this famous shower scene from 'Psycho' has influenced and developed the genre of horror and thriller in the 60s. Many film makers have borrowed the shower scene from 'Psycho' to include into their own films. These include films like What Lies Beneath, Fatal Attraction, The Stepfather and many more 21st century films.

In 'What Lies Beneath' we see a man carrying a shellshock looking woman into the bathroom and places her in the bath. Similiar to 'Psycho', the water is also running, and the shower curtains are also shown in the scence.

 Many elements are borrowed from 'Psycho' to create the shower scene in 'Fatal Attraction'. These includes the sound effects made by the knife when the other woman is being attacked, the downwards motion of the knife, the size of the actual knife is also very similiar to the one used in 'Psycho'. Additionally, the shower curtains are almost identical to the one used in 'Psycho' and the the water is also running in this scene.