Killer Looks: Unveiling American Psycho’s Nuances
Background
Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel "American Psycho" has left an indelible mark on contemporary literature, pushing boundaries and challenging readers' sensibilities. With its exploration of the dark underbelly of American society and an unapologetic critique of materialism and consumerism, "American Psycho" continues to provoke intense discussions and spark debate long after its initial publication in 1991.
The film, “American Psycho” is a 2000 satirical-drama horror film directed by Mary Harron, based on Bret Easton Ellis's 1991 novel. Set in the late 1980s, the film stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a yuppie New York City investment banker who is gradually revealed to be a serial killer preying on homeless people, work colleagues, and finally random members of the public.
Watching the movie feels like experiencing a fever dream where the reality and the tangibility of your world is consistently questioned. Some examples being Inception or The Matrix. One Reddit user created the analogy of Patrick Bateman being “The One” in a failed Pre-Internet Version of the Matrix.
"American Psycho" is not a film for the faint of heart. Its disturbing and violent sequences may challenge viewers' sensibilities. However, beneath the surface lurks a thought-provoking exploration of identity, alienation, and the fine line between sanity and madness. The film forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about the darker aspects of human nature, leaving a lasting impact long after the credits roll.
Cast Performances And Acting
The film has an ensemble cat starring actors early in their careers. The supporting cast includes, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Chloë Sevigny, Samantha Mathis, Cara Seymour, Justin Theroux, and Reese Witherspoon.
At the heart of "American Psycho" lies Christian Bale's unforgettable portrayal of Patrick Bateman. Bale's transformative performance embodies the complex nature of Bateman's character, seamlessly transitioning from a charismatic and seemingly normal Wall Street executive to a deranged and sadistic killer. His commitment to the role, both physically and emotionally, is nothing short of astonishing, immersing viewers in Bateman's disturbed psyche.
The supporting cast of "American Psycho" further enhances the film's impact with their nuanced performances:
Willem Dafoe as Detective Donald Kimball: Dafoe brings his trademark intensity and gravitas to the role of the detective investigating the disappearances and murders surrounding Bateman. His suspicious and probing demeanor adds tension and intrigue to the storyline.
Jared Leto as Paul Allen: Leto's portrayal of Paul Allen, Bateman's rival and victim, perfectly captures the arrogance and obliviousness of the character. Leto effortlessly portrays Allen's sense of entitlement, making his demise all the more satisfyingly unsettling.
Reese Witherspoon as Evelyn Williams: Witherspoon shines as Bateman's shallow and materialistic girlfriend. She effectively embodies Evelyn's obliviousness to Bateman's true nature, portraying the character's obsession with social status and her own image.
Chloë Sevigny as Jean: Sevigny delivers a standout performance as Jean, Bateman's secretary and the object of his desire. Her portrayal of Jean's innocence and vulnerability adds a poignant layer to the film, as she becomes entangled in Bateman's twisted world.
Each member of the supporting cast brings depth and authenticity to their characters, contributing to the film's exploration of the dark underbelly of American society and the consequences of a culture driven by excess and materialism.
Collectively, the cast of "American Psycho" delivers a tour de force performance, capturing the essence of their characters and effectively conveying the moral ambiguity and psychological complexity that drives the narrative. Their commitment to their roles and their ability to portray the duality of their characters' personas adds to the film's overall impact, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Critique of Capitalism and Materialism
At its core, "American Psycho" serves as a scathing critique of the excesses and superficiality prevalent in American consumer culture. Through Bateman's obsession with designer brands, exclusive restaurants, and status symbols, Ellis highlights the dehumanizing effect of materialism and its impact on personal identity. The novel exposes the emptiness and soullessness that can arise from a society obsessed with appearances and wealth.
The film cleverly satirizes the shallow and self-absorbed nature of the yuppie culture, exposing the hollowness behind the glamorous facade. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding audiences of the dangers of losing one's humanity in the pursuit of wealth and social acceptance.
Beyond its portrayal of a disturbed protagonist, "American Psycho" is rife with social commentary on various aspects of American society. The story navigates themes of toxic masculinity, social class, misogyny, and the devaluation of human life. By depicting Bateman's interactions with colleagues, friends, and women, the story unveils the shallow nature of relationships and the pervasive culture of objectification.
The movie takes all the stereotypes about businessmen and mocks them in a sophisticated manner. The overt attachment to unimportant details, like business cards. The obsession with always having the most expensive things (Bateman remarks that Allen's flat overlooks the park and is surely more expensive than his).
The Psychology of the Film
What starts to happen as the movie progresses is that what you're seeing is what's going on in his head. So when he shoots a car and it explodes, even he for a second is like "Huh?" because even he is starting to believe that his perception of reality cannot be right. As he goes more crazy, what you actually see becomes more distorted and harder to figure out. Maybe he does kill all or some of the people in the film, maybe all or some of those killings are in his imagination.
Whether the killings are real or not, the main theme of the film is to highlight that a person like American Psycho's Bateman can, after all, commit untold evil once they maintain a positive public face, and the true extent of their misdeeds may stay forever unknowable because people can’t see what they choose not to believe or care about.
While the film came out in 2000, the lessons are as relevant today as they were then when people of all ages and all income classes are exposed to violence in digital worlds like GTAV or RDR2, virtual reality, and the meta-verse. A study from Scientific American explains how young adults may benefit from playing survival and horror games as an outlet to relieve stress but that such mastery may come at a price. Exposure to violent video games can desensitize people to violence.
In 2006, Bruce Bartholow, a psychologist at the University of Missouri, and colleagues reported that chronic violent game players show less activation of a particular brain wave in response to violent images than non-violent players do, indicating that they feel less aversion. This is important because a normal functioning member of society could participate in unspeakable crimes in an online game and yet this proclivity could be completely and totally unknown to friends, colleagues, or family.
The intersection between reality and Imagination
Ultimately, the film does a very good job of showing how the border between a person’s reality and imagination, dreams, or online presence can get blurred even when extreme violence or other shocking proclivities are involved.
The Hollywood Reporter explains how as Bateman’s “mask of sanity” slips and his murderous escapades are called into question, the audience, like Bateman, is left to question what he’s done and who he is. Bateman’s only singular trait among yuppies was that he was a murderer, and even that is potentially untrue. The same questions the film began with, it also ends with, which Bateman admits through his final line, “This confession has meant nothing.” But is that true? Even if all of his murders were fantasies, doodles drawn in notebooks, there is still a dangerous psychosis in play, and the threat of action hanging over him. Does the meaninglessness of his confession mean that he’s still a monster even if he hasn’t acted on his impulses, or does it mean that because there are no consequences within his place in society, that his actions, whether real or imagined, simply do not matter?
Conclusion
"American Psycho" is a gripping and disturbing cinematic masterpiece that expertly translates Bret Easton Ellis' novel onto the silver screen. Christian Bale's mesmerizing performance, Mary Harron's stylish direction, and the film's incisive social commentary combine to create an unforgettable viewing experience. By delving into the depths of Patrick Bateman's psyche and satirizing 1980s yuppie culture, "American Psycho" prompts reflection on the corrosive effects of materialism and the fragility of human morality. While it may be unsettling, the film remains an undeniable work of art that continues to captivate and provoke audiences.
