American Psycho is undoubtedly one of the best serial killer films ever made. But did Patrick Bateman actually kill anyone or was he just having bloodthirsty hallucinations?
American Psycho
American Psycho is a satirical horror film directed by Mary Harron and released in 2000. Based on Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel, the movie stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a New York City investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer. Supported by an ensemble cast including Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Chloë Sevigny, and Reese Witherspoon, the film blends horror and black comedy to satirize the yuppie culture and consumerism of the 1980s, with Bateman and the supporting characters embodying those themes.
While considered controversial and initially deemed unfilmable due to its graphic content, the novel caught the attention of producer Edward R. Pressman, who acquired the film rights in 1992. The project went through various potential directors, including Stuart Gordon, David Cronenberg, and Rob Weiss, before Mary Harron and Guinevere Turner took on the task of adapting the screenplay in 1996. Their aim was to create a period film rooted in the 1980s, mirroring the novel's setting. The pre-production phase encountered challenges, such as the casting of Christian Bale as Bateman conflicting with Lionsgate Films' contract with Leonardo DiCaprio. Consequently, Harron was initially replaced by Oliver Stone, but after creative differences arose, she was reinstated under the condition of casting Bale in the lead role. Principal photography commenced in February 1999 in Toronto and New York City.
American Psycho premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2000, and was released theatrically in the United States on April 14. The film garnered positive reviews, particularly praising Christian Bale's performance and the screenplay. Although it did not meet box office expectations, grossing over $34 million on a $7 million budget, American Psycho developed a devoted cult following in subsequent years. Recently, it experienced renewed interest thanks to its prevalence in contemporary meme culture, often centered around Bateman's 'sigma' personality. An unrelated direct-to-video sequel titled American Psycho 2 was released in 2002, although it was disavowed by Ellis as part of the American Psycho narrative.
- Director:
- Mary Harron
- RELEASE DATE:
- April 24, 2000
- Cast:
- Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto
- RATING:
- R
- GENRE:
- Crime, Drama, Horror
- BOX OFFICE:
- 34.3 million USD
Trailer
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