American Psycho

An intentionally controversial thriller. Do I mind? Not at all. Bale is fantastically convincing in the role of the psychotic financier Bat(e)man and so is the portrayal of that high society world. Of course, I’ve no idea how realistic it is, but I know that I don’t have even the slightest desire to live it first hand. (12/23/2009)

American Psycho is a critique of the superficiality of the lifestyle and twisted values of Wall Street businessmen, molded into an entertaining slasher flick with undertones of cynical black comedy. Bale is outstanding in the role of a sociopath, the film looks good and is briskly edited, but it give the impression of being just as superficial and cold as the subject being criticised. For example, the sex scenes are surprising with their openness, but they are not as personal and defining of the main character as in Shame. Rather, they merely intended to surprise and shock in the context of the star-studded mainstream. (06/30/2021)

As an expedition into the soul of a sociopathic killer, the film is very decent and benefits especially from good monologues and debates by the main character, they are almost philosophical and manage to stick in the viewer's mind, but apart from that the film is too empty and doesn't offer much else. Visually and narratively it is too simple and doesn't impress with anything, so those who expect anything more than philosophical musings will probably not be satisfied. But otherwise, Christian Bale is excellent as usual. (03/14/2024)

I was wondering the whole time if Christian Bale's acting was merely overacting or basically a near-perfect performance. It's abundantly clear that a subject this interesting will stir up controversy at the mere mention of it and demand the attention of the wider public – just because of WHAT IT'S ABOUT. Personally, I was satisfied, I didn't even mind the "over-pointed" ending and as a result American Psycho impressed me as a worthy precursor to Dexter or Mr. Brooks. (07/17/2011)

After finishing Bret Easton Ellis's novel, I revisited the film adaptation and appreciated it even more. Knowing the source material enhanced my viewing experience. The film is brilliantly assembled, featuring numerous dialogues lifted straight from the book. The novel’s diary-like format contributes to its cold portrayal of Patrick Bateman as a narcissistic psychopath, a character that the film captures perfectly. The book is infamous for its graphic depictions of murder, sexual acts, cannibalism, and other grotesque elements. Thankfully, the film doesn't delve too deeply into these explicit scenes. Instead, it focuses on the psychology of the main character, which I believe was a smart move. This approach creates a more effective portrayal through subtle hints, like Bateman playing with a lock of his victim’s hair, rather than relying on explicit brutality. Christian Bale delivers a stellar performance as Patrick Bateman, embodying the role with chilling precision. The novel is cleverly written, juxtaposing violent episodes with mundane chapters about fashion and business, creating a cohesive picture that reads like the diary of a madman. Some may see it as an attempt to shock or as a grotesque novel for the disturbed, but it’s more than that. Ellis’s work reflects reality and the behaviors of certain people, revealing that such individuals exist among us. Ellis hit the nail on the head, and both the book and film are masterpieces in their own right. (05/20/2018)