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24 Hour Psycho

Name: 24 Hour Psycho
Director: Douglas Gordon
Released: 1993
Duration: 999 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

1993

TV-MA

Director

Douglas Gordon

Runtime

999 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Douglas Gordon’s installation is a postmodern deconstruction of Alfred Hitchcock’s *Psycho* by stretching the film to 24 hours, shifting the focus from narrative tension to a temporal study of existing imagery. Since the work appropriates a 1960s period piece, it is inherently limited by the demographic constraints of its source material, lacking new identities or social narratives. Ultimately, the piece mirrors the original's lack of diversity, challenging how we consume media rather than offering progressive representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does 24 Hour Psycho have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The installation does not include any LGBTQ+ identities or narratives from the original 1960 source material.

How does 24 Hour Psycho portray gender?

Limited

The gender dynamics are based on mid-century cinematic clichés, focusing on power imbalances without introducing new progressive gender dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is 24 Hour Psycho?

Minimal

The work reflects the era's lack of racial diversity, with no characters of color or race-bent casting.

How does 24 Hour Psycho represent religion and culture?

Fair

The work explores themes of time and memory but does not directly address socio-political critiques of Western institutions or religious structures.

Does 24 Hour Psycho include disability representation?

Limited

The installation focuses on Norman Bates' psychological instability but lacks a modern or empowered portrayal of neurodivergence or mental health issues.

Present on Screen

The temporal distortion allows for a deep, forensic observation of character behavior and cinematic power imbalances.
The work provides a sophisticated postmodern critique of media consumption and the traditional cinematic canon.

Limited or Absent

The installation lacks any new demographic representation or progressive social narratives.
The work remains tied to the racial and gendered limitations of the original 1960 film.

Official Synopsis

24 Hour Psycho is the title of an art installation created by artist Douglas Gordon in 1993. The work consists entirely of an appropriation of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 Psycho slowed down to approximately two frames a second, rather than the usual 24. As a result it lasts for exactly 24 hours, rather than the original 109 minutes. The film was an important work in Gordon's early career, and is said to introduce themes common to his work, such as "recognition and repetition, time and memory, complicity and duplicity, authorship and authenticity, darkness and light."

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