Vintage and modern cinema fans alike are already pumped for the opening of Hitchcock on Friday. It's hard not to be—a movie about a legend like Alfred Hitchcock is already an easy story to tell, but add in a cast that includes Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Danny Huston, Jessica Biel, Toni Collette, and Anthony Hopkins as the man himself, and you have yourself a recipe for a pretty entertaining 98 minutes.

The plot—penned by Black Swan co-writer John J. McLaughlin—revolves around Hitchcock and his wife, Alma Reville, during the making of Psycho in 1959. The pair's relationship was complicated during this era, which marked Hitchock's first departure from his traditionally elegant, sometimes opulent earlier films like Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, and North by Northwest in an effort to compete with low-budget, teen-oriented films that were proving to be a major turning point in horror storytelling. It's obvious that Psycho succeeded, taking its morbid inspiration—the crimes of Ed Gein—and turning it into the forefather of modern horror cinema.

Subject matter aside, Hitchcock takes on the style of the filmmaker's earlier films. It's a beautiful film, full of vintage-inspired cinematography, saturated colors, and stunning costume and set design. Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren are unsurprisingly already being praised for their roles and will likely go on to be Oscar contenders in 2013. And regardless of her acting chops, most are also looking forward to Johansson's turn as Janet Leigh, which of course includes the infamous shower scene.

Opening in New York and LA on Friday, November 23rd, Hitchcock is a sure bet to kick off your weekend—and prime your Oscar betting pool.