13 Nights of Shocktober: American Psycho (2000)

 by A.J. 

Night 2: Serial Killer Night

This is not an exit.

 

American Psycho

American Psycho is surprisingly watchable (and even rewatchable) and very entertaining given its violence and dark, disturbing subject matter. Like the novel by Brett Easton Ellis, the film drew controversy and protests. Even now it still retains an aura of controversy and danger. The main protests against the novel and film were accusations of misogyny, the scenes of graphic violence against women, and seeming glorification of the lifestyle of the killer. I admit that at first I was surprised when I learned that two women were the principal filmmakers: director Mary Harron and screenwriter-actress Guinevere Turner. However, this makes total sense; only female filmmakers could see completely through the façade of 1980’s Wall Street executive Patrick Bateman and even the writing and opinions of Brett Easton Ellis. They are also not intimidated by Patrick Bateman or the violence and deliver a dark satire of 1980’s consumerism, masculinity, male aggression, and performative conformity. 

This movie is also very funny. There are scenes of humor in the book but the movie’s humor works so well and really comes through because of Mary Harron and Guinivere Turner’s screenplay and the excellent performance of Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman. At different points throughout the 1990’s Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio were interested in playing Patrick Bateman. Bale was Harron’s choice because he seemed to be the only actor who not only saw Patrick Bateman as a pathetic, shallow, and actually dorky character but was willing to play him that way and without an artificial redemption. My favorite comedic touch is the weird hyper dance Bale does while preparing a murder scene and explaining the nuances of Huey Lewis and the News’s “Hip to Be Square.” In a subtle but brilliant choice, the sound of the sword being unsheathed can be heard whenever the Wall Street guys take out their business cards. Bateman proudly explains the minutiae of the front and texture and paper of his card only to be upstaged by his colleagues’ cards. Justin Theroux, playing one of Bateman’s interchangeable colleagues, hesitates to show Bateman the business card of a rival because it is just too great a business card. Of course, all of the cards look the same.

When I say this movie is darkly funny, I don’t mean to suggest that the scenes of violence are funny. These scenes are sometimes elaborate, sometimes cruel, and though very bloody there is never much gore on screen. Whether it is the humorously embarrassing scene of Bateman having a threesome with two sex workers and being more interested in checking himself out in the mirrors or the scene of him killing a homeless man and his dog, there are scenes that will be uncomfortable to watch no matter how many times you watch the movie. Is this a misogynist movie? No. Does it have misogynist characters disgustingly comfortable in their lifestyles? Yes. Maybe the only likable or relatable characters are Matt Ross as Bale’s closested coworker, trying extra hard to fit in with his "macho" co-workers, and Chloe Sevigny as his put upon secretary.

There is a question of whether or not all of the murders are purely in Patrick’s mind. This would explain the logistics of the chainsaw scene. The scene where Patrick is confronted with this possibility is quite cryptic and unsettling. However, the chance that the murders are not real does not make the film any less disturbing or Bateman any less dangerous. Harron and Turner show that the real horror is that Bateman lives in a world where he could kill and get away with it if he wanted; the entire system has been designed to benefit men like him, killers or not. 

American Psycho is a great movie but it is also an uncomfortably misunderstood movie, not unlike another movie critiquing and satirizing masculinity, Fight Club. In the making-of special features on the DVD, screenwriter Guinevere Turner says that she's met men (and only men) who tell her, "You wrote American Psycho? I think that movie's so cool. I am Patrick Bateman." Her response: "Really? So, are you saying you're a dork or a serial killer? or both?"

American Psycho is available to stream on Netflix and Paramount+.