Twenty-five years ago, a sharply dressed man in a spotless apartment introduced himself with a morning routine — ice-cold, perfectly rehearsed, and terrifyingly normal.
Patrick Bateman was not just another Wall Street elite. He was a monster in Armani, and American Psycho was the unnerving satire we didn’t know we needed. But why has this film, with all its gore and gloss, continued to haunt, fascinate, and even trend 25 years later
Why It’s Remembered
There’s something unsettlingly pristine about American Psycho. It’s remembered for far more than just its violence.
- What sets it apart is its razor-sharp commentary masked under polished surfaces. Bateman is obsessed with appearances — his skincare routine, his business card font, his perfect body — all while hiding a twisted core. The contrast between his squeaky-clean lifestyle and the sheer horror of his actions creates an eerie dichotomy.
- It’s an unreliable, chilling descent into a man’s fractured mind, peppered with hauntingly sharp dialogue. One quote that’s lingered in pop culture for decades:
“I have to return some videotapes.” Simple. Hollow. And absolutely terrifying.
- Then there’s Christian Bale. His portrayal of Bateman isn’t just career-defining — it’s transformational. His dedication bordered on obsession, mirroring the very character he played. The calm menace in his voice, the dead-eyed charm, the cracks that slowly surface — he became Bateman. It’s hard to imagine any other actor pulling it off with the same terrifying grace.
- Of course, who could forget the infamous skincare monologue? That scene alone lives rent-free in Gen Z and millennial minds — now stitched into TikToks, memes, and “Sigma male” edits on Instagram.
- The irony? Bateman, the literal embodiment of psychotic patriarchy, has somehow become an internet anti-hero. But that’s the magic and horror of the film — it makes you question who you’re sympathizing with.
Yes — He’s That Sigma You’re Watching on Instagram.
- Let’s be clear. Patrick Bateman isn’t a role model. He’s not a misunderstood genius or a stylish victim. He is not the Sigma male the internet wants him to be. Yet, there he is — standing in front of mirrors, flexing, peeling off face masks, layered under lo-fi beats and TikTok edits.
- It’s wild how American Psycho has been reclaimed and repackaged into modern internet culture. And it makes sense — it’s visual, cold, aesthetic, and dripping with dark charisma. But the irony is thick: the film critiques the very systems and behaviors that TikTok celebrates him for.
The 25-Year Charm — Still Killing It
Two and a half decades later, American Psycho still feels fresh, like it was made for this hyper-curated, content-driven age. The themes? Toxic masculinity, capitalist emptiness, identity crisis — all painfully relevant. The visuals? Sterile and sexy. The tone? Darkly hilarious.
Some lesser-known facts that add to its lasting intrigue:
- Leonardo DiCaprio was originally cast as Bateman but dropped out due to fan backlash and concerns about image damage.
- Christian Bale was paid the bare minimum — just $50,000 for the role—while crew and producers doubted he could carry the film.
- Bale based his performance on an interview with Tom Cruise, describing him as having “this very intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes.”
- The axe scene? One of the most iconic in cinema was largely improvised in terms of delivery. This Movie is like a glass of red wine and a loaded gun — classy at first glance, deadly beneath the surface.
Rating: 9/10 ⭐
Stylish, disturbing, and weirdly hilarious — American Psycho is still cutting deep 25 years later.
WRITTEN BY MANSI.B.SINGH