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American Psycho (film)

American Psycho is a 2000 black comedy horror film directed by Mary Harron and co-written with Guinevere Turner.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

American Psycho is a 2000 black comedy horror film directed by Mary Harron and co-written with Guinevere Turner. It is based on Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel and stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy New York investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer. The film satirizes 1980s yuppie culture and consumerism.

Plot and premise

The film follows Patrick Bateman, a successful Wall Street banker in late-1980s New York City who secretly lives as a serial killer. Its story is presented as a satire of wealth, status, and superficiality.

Production and release

Mary Harron directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Guinevere Turner. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2000, and was released theatrically in the United States on April 14, 2000.

Cast and characters

Christian Bale leads the cast as Patrick Bateman, with supporting performances by Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Chloë Sevigny, Samantha Mathis, Cara Seymour, Justin Theroux, Guinevere Turner, and Reese Witherspoon.

Themes and interpretation

The film is known for its satirical treatment of 1980s consumer culture, narcissism, and corporate identity. Its mix of horror and dark comedy has contributed to its reputation as a cult film.

Key facts

  • The film is an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel.
  • Christian Bale plays Patrick Bateman, a wealthy Manhattan investment banker and serial killer.
  • The film blends psychological horror with black comedy.
  • Its themes include consumerism, vanity, identity, and 1980s yuppie culture.
  • It premiered at Sundance before its U.S. theatrical release in April 2000.
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Canadian context

The film was co-produced as a Canadian-American production and was directed by Canadian filmmaker Mary Harron, making it relevant to Canadian film history.

Frequently asked questions

What is American Psycho?
American Psycho is a 2000 black comedy horror film directed by Mary Harron and based on Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel.
Who plays Patrick Bateman?
Christian Bale plays Patrick Bateman, the film’s main character.
What is the film based on?
It is based on the novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.
When was it released?
It premiered at Sundance on January 21, 2000, and was released in U.S. theatres on April 14, 2000.
What genre is it?
It is generally described as a black comedy horror film.
What is it about thematically?
It satirizes 1980s yuppie culture, consumerism, and identity through the character of Patrick Bateman.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Psycho_(film)
    Supports: Director, screenplay, cast, genre, source novel, premiere date, theatrical release, and thematic description.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/American-Psycho-film-2000
    Supports: Mary Harron as director, Christian Bale as Bateman, and the film’s cult-classic status.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_psycho
    Supports: Synopsis, release date, genre, and runtime metadata.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Psycho
    Supports: The 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis and the character Patrick Bateman.