Killer looks. Killer instincts. No conscience

AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000)

Director: Mary Harron
Screenplay: Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner
Cast: Christian Bale (Patrick Bateman), Willem Dafoe (Donald Kimball), Jared Leto (Paul Allen), Reese Witherspoon (Evelyn Williams), Chloë Sevigny (Jean)
Genre: Satirical Psychological Horror/Dark Comedy
Runtime: 102 minutes

THE NYBUDGETS MOVIE REVIEW Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Tagline: “Killer looks. Killer instincts. No conscience.”

Set in the opulent, greed-driven landscape of 1980s Manhattan, American Psycho follows Patrick Bateman, a superficially flawless investment banker whose life revolves around designer suits, exclusive restaurants, and a meticulous skincare routine. Beneath his polished exterior, however, Bateman harbors a murderous alter ego, indulging in increasingly violent fantasies. The film oscillates between his gruesome acts and his vapid social circle, blurring the line between reality and psychosis. As his grip on sanity slips, the narrative questions whether his crimes are real or mere delusions of a fractured mind.

A scathing satire of Reagan-era consumerism, American Psycho dissects the hollowness of capitalist excess. Bateman’s obsession with status symbols—business cards, reservations at Dorsia, and Huey Lewis albums—mirrors the era’s moral bankruptcy. Director Mary Harron masterfully balances horror and dark comedy, using hyper-stylized violence (e.g., the iconic axe murder) to underscore the absurdity of Bateman’s world. Christian Bale delivers a career-defining performance, oscillating between chilling detachment and manic glee. His monologues, like the deadpan analysis of Hip to Be Square, are both hilarious and unnerving.

The film’s ambiguity—particularly its unresolved ending—sparks debate. Is Bateman a killer shielded by privilege, or a narcissist inventing grandeur? Harron leaves it open, forcing audiences to confront their complicity in glorifying monsters. Critics initially divided over its graphic content; Roger Ebert dismissed it as “morally vacant,” while others praised its intellectual audacity. The script’s razor-sharp dialogue (“I have to return some videotapes”) and supporting cast (Willem Dafoe’s sly detective, Jared Leto’s smug victim) elevate the tension.

Iconic Quotes:

• “I have to return some videotapes.” – Patrick Bateman
• “There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman, some kind of abstraction, but there is no real me.” – Patrick Bateman
• “Don’t just stare at it. Eat it.” – Patrick Bateman (during a horrifyingly absurd date)