American Psycho

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. (14/03/2024)

// - I can’t believe that Bryce prefers Van Patten’s card to mine. // - But wait. You ain't seen nothin' yet. Raised lettering, pale nimbus. White. - Impressive. Very nice. Hmm, let’s see Paul Allen’s card. // Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh, my God. It even has a watermark. // (25/05/2011)

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. (23/12/2009)

From start to finish, I was reminded of the Czech film The Cremator. American Psycho draws the same analogy between the state of mind of the main character and the society he lives in. In this case, it is a far-fetched caricature of Wall Street royalty chattering eternally and senselessly with excruciating relentlessness, contrasted with a man who sets himself apart from the snobbish herd by becoming a murderous psychopath. But is anyone curious about his hobby? The great Christian Bale and a cunning script that is only seemingly about nothing, just like all the blather at tables in fancy restaurants. (08/09/2020)

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. (20/05/2018)