Title: American Psycho
Release Date: 13/04/2000
Genres: Thriller, Drama, Crime
Plot
American Psycho is a psychological thriller film released in 2000, directed by Mary Harron and based on the novel of the same name written by Bret Easton Ellis. The movie takes viewers into the twisted mind of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and successful investment banker living in Manhattan during the 1980s.
Set against the backdrop of excessive wealth and materialism, American Psycho dives deep into the dark and disturbing psyche of its protagonist. Patrick Bateman is charming, handsome, and seemingly perfect, but beneath his impeccable exterior lies a deranged individual consumed by his own narcissism and sadistic fantasies.
The film opens by introducing us to Patrick and his meticulously curated image. He obsesses over his appearance and meticulously follows a strict daily routine that includes a regimented exercise regime, skincare rituals, and a meticulous grooming routine.
He is part of an elite group of wealthy young professionals who spend their days on Wall Street and their nights partying at exclusive clubs and restaurants, striving to outdo each other in their lavish lifestyles. As the story progresses, it becomes evident that Patrick’s obsession with image and material possessions is only a facade.
Behind closed doors, he satisfies his deep-seated cravings for violence and murder. In a series of shocking scenes, Patrick brutally kills prostitutes, colleagues, and strangers, all while maintaining a calm and collected demeanor in his professional and social life.
Despite his heinous acts, Patrick is able to successfully blend in with society. His colleagues and friends are too self-absorbed to notice the darkness that lurks within him.
Even when he confesses his crimes to some, they dismiss his confessions as jokes or perceive them as thinly veiled displays of power and dominance. As the film progresses, we see Patrick’s descent into further insanity.
He becomes increasingly obsessed with a fellow investment banker, Paul Allen, believing him to be his superior in every way. This obsession fuels Patrick’s desire to outdo him in every aspect, including his gruesome murders.
The line between reality and Patrick’s disturbed fantasies becomes increasingly blurred, making it challenging for both the audience and Patrick himself to discern what is real and what is a figment of his diseased mind. Throughout the movie, American Psycho explores themes of identity, superficiality, materialism, and the dark underbelly of capitalist society.
The characters in the film, including Patrick’s superficial and self-absorbed friends, highlight the empty pursuit of wealth and status that dominates their lives. In this world, appearances are everything, and morality holds no value.
The setting of 1980s Manhattan serves as a perfect backdrop for this story, capturing the excesses of the time and the obsession with wealth and image that defined the era. The vibrant and flashy visuals of the film enhance the contrast between Patrick’s polished faade and the darkness that lies within.
In conclusion, American Psycho is a chilling and thought-provoking thriller that delves into the mind of a narcissistic and psychopathic killer. Its exploration of identity, materialism, and the emptiness of a consumerist society makes it a confronting and compelling viewing experience.
As Patrick Bateman’s actions and descent into madness unfold, the audience is left questioning the true nature of evil and the thin line between sanity and insanity.
6 Best Scenes from American Psycho
1. Patrick Bateman’s monologue on “Huey Lewis and the News” and his obsession with appearances:
In this pivotal scene, Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker and a psychopathic killer, shares his thoughts on the popular band “Huey Lewis and the News” with his colleague, Paul Allen, as they discuss the band’s music.
While seemingly harmless at first, Bateman’s monologue takes a dark turn as he delves into his obsession with appearances and his desire to fit into society’s expectations. He confesses that his true self is hidden behind a faade of superficiality and materialistic obsession.
This scene is significant as it highlights Bateman’s inner turmoil and his struggle to maintain his carefully crafted image. It provides insight into his psychopathic tendencies by emphasizing his emptiness and lack of emotional depth.
Additionally, Bateman’s fixation on appearances serves as a metaphor for the shallow and materialistic nature of the 1980s yuppie culture, which is a central theme throughout the film. 2.
Patrick Bateman’s gruesome murder of Paul Allen:
In this chilling scene, Bateman invites Paul Allen to his apartment under the pretense of having a business meeting. As Bateman leads Allen into his apartment, tension builds, and the audience anticipates what is about to unfold.
Suddenly, Bateman brutally attacks Allen with an ax, brutally hacking him to death. The camera lingers on the violence, leaving the audience disturbed and horrified.
This scene is crucial to the movie’s progression as it showcases Bateman’s descent into madness and his complete detachment from human empathy. It is a turning point for both Bateman’s character and the plot, as he crosses a line from fantasizing about violence to actually committing it.
The murder of Paul Allen solidifies Bateman as a truly terrifying and unhinged individual, setting the stage for further gruesome acts of violence. 3.
Patrick Bateman’s psychotic breakdown during a frenzied confession to his lawyer:
In the climactic scene of the film, Bateman, overwhelmed by guilt, visits his lawyer, Harold Carnes, to confess his crimes. Bateman recounts the various murders he has committed and expresses a desire to be apprehended.
However, Carnes dismisses Bateman’s confessions as a mere joke, failing to recognize the sincerity behind his psychotic breakdown. This scene is significant as it captures the theme of emptiness and the lack of accountability in Bateman’s world.
Despite his desperate plea for redemption, Bateman is ultimately left unheard and unnoticed, highlighting the futility of his actions. It raises questions about the superficiality of the wealthy elite and their ability to get away with heinous acts without consequences.
This moment adds to the overall critique of American society’s obsession with image and material success. Overall, these three pivotal scenes in “American Psycho” provide a glimpse into the twisted mind of Patrick Bateman and explore themes of superficiality, violence, and societal critique.
They contribute to the plot progression by revealing the depths of Bateman’s darkness and showcasing the ultimately hollow nature of the world in which he resides. 4.
Patrick Bateman’s encounter with an ATM machine in a surreal and darkly comic scene:
In this bizarre and surreal scene, Patrick Bateman approaches an ATM machine to withdraw some money. However, instead of receiving a regular transaction prompt, the ATM machine displays a series of mocking and taunting messages.
The machine insults Bateman, ridiculing his looks, wealth, and shallow lifestyle. Frustrated and angered, Bateman takes out his aggression on the ATM, violently attacking it with his fists.
This scene is significant as it symbolizes Bateman’s crumbling mental state and his increasing detachment from reality. It showcases the absurdity and emptiness of his existence, as even an inanimate object like an ATM machine seems to taunt and mock him.
The scene adds an element of dark comedy, highlighting the twisted nature of Bateman’s world and foreshadowing the increasing chaos that will follow. 5.
Patrick Bateman’s attempt to feed an injured woman to a Cleaver-wielding colleague during a drug-fueled encounter:
In this shocking and disturbing scene, Bateman and his colleagues engage in a drug-fueled encounter with an injured woman they have kidnapped. In a twisted display of violence and sadism, Bateman suggests feeding the woman to his colleague, who wields a cleaver.
The tension escalates as Bateman follows through with his depraved plan, but the scene is cut short before the full extent of the violence is revealed. This scene is significant as it showcases Bateman’s complete moral depravity and his participation in extreme acts of cruelty.
It serves as a testament to the depths of his psychosis and his descent into absolute madness. The scene also highlights the dehumanization and objectification of women in the film, emphasizing the themes of misogyny and the devaluation of human life.
6. Patrick Bateman’s final confrontation with rival Paul Allen, only to realize it may have all been in his head:
In the climactic scene of the film, Bateman encounters his rival, Paul Allen, in his apartment.
However, the encounter quickly takes a surreal turn as Allen expresses confusion, revealing that he had mistaken Bateman for someone else entirely. Bateman’s perceived nemesis is alive and well, leaving him baffled and questioning his own sanity.
This moment leads Bateman to question the reality of his previous violent actions and whether they actually occurred. This scene is significant as it confronts the audience with the possibility that Bateman’s crimes may have been mere delusions, blurring the line between reality and his twisted fantasies.
It casts doubt on the reliability of Bateman’s narration and raises questions about the nature of his psychosis. The scene adds a layer of ambiguity to the film’s narrative structure, forcing the audience to question the truthfulness of the events portrayed and providing an unsettling conclusion to Bateman’s story.
