So, picture this: I’m scrolling through the trailer for Longlegs, and the vibe is just unsettling. The camera lingers on a creepy house, the music is all wrong, and I think, “Who directed this nightmare fuel?” The answer: Oz Perkins. And my brain, like a rusty computer, immediately froze. Wait—Oz Perkins? As in Norman Bates’ son?
Yes, the last name is a huge clue
Let me just cut to the chase before you have an aneurysm. Yes, Oz Perkins is related to Anthony Perkins. He’s literally his son. Anthony Perkins, the legendary actor who played Norman Bates in Psycho, had two boys with actress Berry Berenson. Oz is the older one.
So, if you were worried this was some weird coincidence, relax. It’s a family affair. And honestly, doesn’t it make total sense that the guy who makes terrifying movies is the son of the guy who terrified the entire 1960s?
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The "Oh, right, that makes sense" moment
I have to admit, when I first heard the name “Oz Perkins,” I thought it was a stage name. Like, “Oh, he’s trying to sound cool and mysterious, like a wizard from a dark fairy tale.” But nope—his real name is Ozgood, which is honestly even more fabulous. And his dad? Anthony Perkins. The same guy who sweated through that shower scene.
It’s like finding out the person who makes your favorite horror cookies inherited the family recipe for pure dread. Only here, the recipe is a genetic predisposition for psychological horror.
Did Anthony help Oz get into the industry?
Here’s the thing about nepotism in Hollywood: it’s real, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll be good. Oz started as an actor—yeah, he was in Legally Blonde as the creepy, dorky guy, which is so ironic given his lineage. But he didn’t ride his dad’s coattails into directing. His debut, February (later retitled The Blackcoat’s Daughter), was a slow-burn horror gem that nobody saw coming.
Anthony died in 1992 from AIDS-related complications, when Oz was just 18. So, the guidance was cut short. But you can’t help but feel that Anthony’s ghost—literally and figuratively—hovers over Oz’s work. The themes of isolation, fractured families, and lurking evil? That’s pure Perkins DNA.
OZ PERKINS – ANTHONY PERKINS’ SON | Anthony perkins, Celebrities, Perkins
The Perkins aesthetic: a family trademark
Look at Anthony’s most famous role: Norman Bates. He wasn’t just a slasher villain; he was a sad, broken man you almost felt sorry for. Now look at Oz’s movies. Gretel & Hansel? It’s not just a fairy tale; it’s about a girl wrestling with her own dark impulses. Longlegs? It’s about a serial killer, but the horror is atmospheric, psychological, and deeply moody.
It’s like they share the same artistic soul. One used a knife and a wig; the other uses shadows and silence. Same family business, different tools.
Wait, do they look alike?
Okay, I need you to Google a photo of Oz Perkins right now. Go ahead; I’ll wait. (No, really, do it.) Notice that sharp jawline, the dark eyes, the slightly haunted expression? He looks like Anthony, but if Anthony had been raised by wolves and listened to too much Bauhaus. It’s uncanny.
He’s basically the emo version of his father. And I mean that as the highest compliment. If you saw them side-by-side in a sepia-toned photo, you’d say, “Yep, that’s a father and son.” Or maybe, “Yep, that’s a ghost and his son.” Either works.
The irony of the "Psycho" connection
Here’s the thing that cracks me up: everyone talks about the Psycho connection as if it’s a burden. But Oz has leaned into it, but in a sly way. He doesn’t remake his dad’s movie. He doesn’t play Norman. He instead makes his own brand of dread.
THE BLACKCOAT´S DAUGHTER: EL LEGADO PERKINS | Penumbria
It’s actually kind of brave. Imagine being the son of the guy who defined horror for a generation. You could either crumble under the pressure or say, “Cool, I’ll just make movies that feel like my dad’s movies, but with better lighting.” And that’s exactly what he’s done.
So, is this just a fun fact, or does it matter?
For casual viewers, it’s a fun trivia bit to drop at parties. “Oh, you liked Longlegs? Did you know Oz Perkins is the son of the guy from Psycho?” You’ll look smart and smug. For film nerds, it adds a layer of tragic poetry. Anthony was a deeply private man, struggling with his identity in a homophobic era. Oz makes films about people who are isolated and misunderstood.
Is it direct influence? Who knows. But it’s a beautiful, spooky thread connecting two artists across generations. And honestly, it makes way too much sense to be a coincidence.
The bottom line: yes, and it’s perfect
To put it bluntly: Oz Perkins is Anthony Perkins’ son. The end. But the real story isn’t the blood relation—it’s how Oz took the emotional weight of his father’s legacy and turned it into a weird, gorgeous, terrifying career. He didn’t just inherit a famous name; he inherited a muse.
So, next time you watch The Blackcoat’s Daughter and feel that cold shiver down your spine, just whisper, “Thanks, Norman.” Or, you know, “Thanks, Anthony.” Either works. They’re both haunting the same dream.