Bates Motel (2013)
A mother and son's fresh start in a new town quickly devolves into darkly comic, psychological suspense.
A "contemporary prequel" to the 1960 film Psycho, depicting the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events portrayed in Hitchcock's film, albeit in a different fictional town and in a modern setting. The series begins after the death of Norma's husband, when she purchases a motel located in a coastal Oregon town so she and Norman can start a new life.
How intense is Bates Motel?
Bates Motel is mildly scary, with light gore and strong violence. Emotionally it is devastating. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch. The humor runs dark. Rated TV-MA.
What Bates Motel feels like
- Tone
- suspensefulgrittydarkly comicmelancholy
- Pace
- Measured
- Humor
- dark and satirical
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream Bates Motel
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 8, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Bates Motel for you?
Is Bates Motel scary?
Only a little. Bates Motel has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is Bates Motel gory or violent?
Light gore (1 of 3) and strong violence (2 of 3).
Is Bates Motel sad or heavy?
Yes. Emotional weight 3 of 3. It hits hard; do not plan anything light after.
Is Bates Motel OK for kids?
It is rated TV-MA, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 1, gore 1, violence 2, each out of 3.
How long is Bates Motel?
Episodes run about 45m.
Where can I stream Bates Motel?
Bates Motel is streaming on Prime Video.
Does Bates Motel have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
It leaves the ending open to interpretation.
Cast and crew
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