At first glance, American Psycho might seem like a film about one man: Patrick Bateman. But when you step back, you realize that every character, whether major or minor, it serves a specific purpose in the satire. They’re not just people in Bateman’s life, they’re reflections of the world he lives in, and in some cases, pieces of himself.
Let’s break down these characters:
Patrick Bateman IS NOT a serial killer in a suit, he’s the ultimate representation of narcissism, materialism, and existential emptiness. He’s obsessed with looking perfect, owning the best of everything, and maintaining an image of superiority. But the more you watch, the clearer it becomes:
This idea is stated in the film itself. In his morning routine monologue, he says:
"There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman, some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me. Only an entity, something illusory."
This is the central tragedy of his existence. He’s desperate to be seen, to be recognized as powerful, unique, significant. But his world doesn’t care. No matter how much he kills, no matter how hard he screams for attention, he’s still just another nameless face in a sea of identical suits. Even his acts of violence, which should be the display of control and dominance, are:
This is why the business card scene is just as devastating to him as any murder. To Bateman, a better business card is a bigger threat to his identity than the police. His world is so devoid of meaning that a minor slight to his status feels like death.
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Christian Bale’s portrayal of Bateman is a masterclass in contradiction.
