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Bates Motel

2013·Show
50Episodes in5Seasons·TV-MA
82
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Metacritic698.2Rotten Tomatoes93%91%
Episodes
IMDb8.1Metacritic698.2Rotten Tomatoes93%91%
Episodes

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PrimeThe CW

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Bates Motel fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Nerve-racking and scary

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension9
  • Scare8
  • Violence8

Heart

Moving

Much of it is about family and growing up.

  • Family Dynamics10
  • Coming of Age8
  • Pathos7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Cringe Humor2
  • Dark Humor1

World

Family, the mind, and everyday modern life

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

  • Acting10
  • Character Depth9
  • Intrigue9

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers youYou scare easily

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Scary showsPsychological shows

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8Episode 9Episode 10
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10

About

Together until the end.

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.
Psychological Horror DramaToxic Mother-Son CodependencyModern Norman Bates Origin StoryUnreliable NarratorSmall Town NoirMental Illness ExplorationSlow-Burning SuspenseCharisma and ManipulationTragic Descent into MadnessCrime Thriller Elements

Crew

Directed by:
Tucker Gates, Ed Bianchi, Nestor Carbonell
Written by:
Philip Buiser, Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse
Produced by:
Jamie Vega Wheeler, Justis Greene, Cory Bird
Composed by:
Chris Bacon

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Bates Motel

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Bates Motel legally?

PrimeThe CW

Bates Motel is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on The CW. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Bates Motel worth watching?

82
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 69). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Bates Motel rated?

TV-MAViolenceDisturbing imagerySexual contentStrong languageSuicide themes

It's rated TV-MA in the United States. Content advisories: violence, disturbing imagery, sexual content, strong language, and suicide themes.

How many seasons does Bates Motel have?

5 seasons

It has 5 seasons with 50 episodes of about 45 minutes each.

Do critics and audiences agree on Bates Motel?

Critics81
Audiences85

Yes. Critics average 81 and audiences 85 out of 100, so both groups see Bates Motel much the same way.

When did Bates Motel air?

It ran from 2013 to 2017 and has ended.

What language is Bates Motel in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Bates Motel?

73ADALARATAUBABEBFBGCACDCHCICL+59

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Bates Motel in 73 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Bates Motel use?

Altar DiplomacyHeel–Face TurnAbove the InfluenceTrailers Always LieTook a Level in BadassThe Password Is Always "Swordfish"Dirty CopOnce More, with ClarityShoo Out the ClownsHostage for MacGuffinDecomposite CharacterKnight Templar Parentand 155 more

TV Tropes lists 167 storytelling tropes for Bates Motel, including Altar Diplomacy, Heel–Face Turn, Above the Influence.