American Psycho

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22/12/2024

In *American Psycho*, directed by Mary Harron and based on Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, the story unfolds in 1987 New York City, focusing on Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker. The film blends elements of horror and black comedy to critique the excesses of yuppie culture and consumerism.

## Plot Summary

*Setting and Character Introduction*
Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale) is a young, affluent investment banker who leads a superficial life filled with luxury dining, designer clothes, and a glamorous fiancée, Evelyn Williams (Reese Witherspoon). Despite his polished exterior, Bateman harbors deep-seated contempt for his peers and struggles with his own identity amidst the pressures of wealth and status.

*Inciting Incident*
Bateman’s psychopathic tendencies emerge when he becomes envious of a colleague’s business card. This jealousy triggers a violent outburst as he kills a homeless man and his dog. His descent into madness escalates when he lures his colleague Paul Allen (Jared Leto) to his apartment under the pretense of a dinner invitation, only to murder him with an axe after a night of indulgence.

*Escalation of Violence*
Following Allen’s murder, Bateman’s violent acts multiply. He invites two prostitutes to his apartment, where he tortures them after sex. His erratic behavior continues as he attempts to strangle another colleague, Luis Carruthers (Matt Ross), who misinterprets the attack as a sexual advance. Bateman’s actions become increasingly reckless; he murders a model and later tries to kill his secretary, Jean (Chloë Sevigny), but is interrupted by a phone call from Evelyn.

*Climactic Confrontations*
As Bateman’s crimes spiral out of control, he engages in a series of increasingly brutal killings. He experiences hallucinations and paranoia, culminating in a police chase where he kills indiscriminately. In a moment of desperation, he confesses his crimes to his lawyer, Harold Carnes (Michael Irby), but Carnes dismisses it as a joke, believing that Bateman is merely seeking attention.

*Conclusion and Ambiguity*
In the final act, Bateman returns to Paul Allen’s apartment expecting to find evidence of his crimes, only to discover it is vacant and for sale. This revelation raises questions about the reality of his actions—did he truly commit these murders or were they figments of his imagination? The film ends with Bateman realizing that he will likely never face consequences for his actions, leaving viewers uncertain about the nature of his confessions.
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Overall, *American Psycho* serves as both a chilling thriller and a satirical commentary on the moral vacuity of consumer culture during the 1980s.

American Psycho

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