Anthony Hopkins Talks About the Scene That Left Him Horrified Yet Thrilled

Some movie scenes stay with us forever because they make us feel something deep in our bodies. A sudden scare, a gasp, or even just a shiver can make a horror scene unforgettable. Think about the moment in Don’t Look Now when the killer is revealed, or the first time Michael Myers shows up in his mask—these are the moments that define horror.

Horror movies have a special power to make our bodies react. Our stomachs twist, our eyes flinch, and our hearts race as we wait for the next scare. But back in 1960, when Alfred Hitchcock released Psycho, audiences weren’t used to that kind of fear in the theater. It was a completely new experience.

Anthony Hopkins, who won an Oscar for playing Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, has often spoken about how important that time was for film. He says movies like Psycho show how being scared is part of being human.

“Humans are fascinated by the shadow and the boogieman that exists within everyone,” Hopkins said. He compared watching a horror film to riding a rollercoaster as a child—seeking out that rush of fear. For him, Hitchcock’s classic was a perfect example of why people are drawn to the darker side of themselves.

Hopkins singled out the shower scene, calling it a game-changer. Back then, audiences had never seen anything like it: the blood swirling, the knife swinging, the terror in Janet Leigh’s eyes. It broke the idea that a bathroom could ever feel safe again.

“The violence of the scene excites us because it reflects the duality in our psyche between darkness and light,” Hopkins explained. Watching scary scenes from a safe distance lets us explore fear and thrill without real danger. That balance is what keeps people coming back to horror movies, whether in a theater or at home.

Even now, at 88, Hopkins is still going strong. He recently celebrated 50 years of sobriety and continues to work on big projects. He stars in the 2025 psychological thriller Locked and the historical series Those About to Die. He also released his first memoir, We Did OK, Kid, sharing stories from his life and career.

Looking ahead, Hopkins is busy. He’ll play Charles Darwin in the drama The Species, acting alongside Charlotte Rampling.

What is your favorite role or movie that stars Anthony Hopkins? Let us know in the comments.