American Psycho

On the surface, Patrick Bateman is a suave, success driven investment banker in Manhattan's late 80s culture. Beneath that gleaming mask lies a compulsive, coldly detached killer who acts on violent fantasies that escalate over time. The film follows his polished routine of meetings, clubs, and impeccable outfits as these impulses intrude into personal conversations and social circles. Told with dark humor and clinical precision, the narrative blurs lines between reality and the distortions of a man who cannot separate his fantasies from the world around him. The tension builds through the repeating rituals of workouts, dining, and idle chatter as danger creeps closer, but the fate remains ambiguous.

Directed by Mary Harron, American Psycho adapts Bret Easton Ellis's 1991 novel with a screenplay by Harron and Guinevere Turner. Released in 2000, the film stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman with an ensemble including Justin Theroux and Chloë Sevigny.

Box office: The film earned a modest gross compared with major blockbusters of its time, reflecting its niche appeal and provocative subject matter.

Its sharp style and brutal satire left a lasting imprint on pop culture, from the iconic business card sequences to the cold clinical look at violence. The film sparked debates about consumer culture, gender, and the nature of identity in late capitalist America.

Critics praised Bale's unsettling performance and Harron's confident direction, while noting the film's clinical detachment heightens its critique of surface values. Viewers debate whether it exposes vanity and moral decay or normalizes violence by mirroring Bateman's world. The film remains a touchstone for discussions about power, identity, and urban alienation.