‘American Psycho’ Director Baffled by ‘Wall Street Bros’ Still Idolizing Patrick Bateman: They Don’t Realize the Movie Is a ‘Gay Man’s Satire on Masculinity’

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Mary Harron, director of “American Psycho,” expressed bewilderment during the 25th anniversary celebration about the admiration shown by Wall Street professionals towards Patrick Bateman, the ruthless New York City banker and murderer portrayed by Christian Bale in her movie. As GQ magazine pointed out a while ago: “The unhealthy adoration for Patrick Bateman on TikTok is yet another indication that young men are struggling.

Harron expressed his constant confusion about it. He never anticipated that our work would resonate with Wall Street professionals, not at all. That wasn’t our aim. So, did we miss the mark? I’m unsure why this occurred, as Christian’s character clearly mocks them… Yet, people have interpreted the Bible to justify violence against others. Similarly, readers of ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ have felt inspired to attempt assassinating a president.

Harron recognizes that TikTok and memes have contributed to the worship of Patrick Bateman, as “he’s portrayed as being attractive, well-dressed, wealthy, and powerful. Yet, at the same time, he’s presented as a goofy and awkward character. When he’s in a nightclub attempting to talk about hip hop, it’s incredibly cringe-worthy when he tries to appear cool.”

Harron realizes that TikTok and memes have influenced the deification of Patrick Bateman, since “he’s depicted as being good looking, well dressed, rich, and powerful. However, simultaneously, he’s represented as a dorky and ridiculous figure. When he’s in a nightclub discussing hip hop, it’s very awkward to watch him try to be trendy.

It’s interesting that men might strive to emulate Patrick Bateman, a character from “American Psycho,” given that Mary Harron, the director, saw the film as a “gay man’s critique of masculinity.” This movie is adapted from the book of the same title by Bret Easton Ellis. She believes that Wall Street types might be overlooking this satirical perspective.

The director stated that Ellis’ being gay enabled him to recognize the homoerotic behaviors among these dominant males, which is evident not only in sports but also on Wall Street. This behavior is rooted in their intense competition and desire to excel. The director added that there’s a distinctly masculine, even homosexual, aspect to how they idolize physical appearances and the gym.

Harron further commented, “American Psycho” portrays a ruthless society, one that has become even more vicious today. She continued by stating, “The affluent have grown significantly wealthier, while the impoverished are struggling more than ever. I could not have foreseen a time when we would witness a public endorsement of racism and white supremacy – an unfortunate reality reflected in the White House. I never thought we’d experience such events.

It’s possible that we may see Patrick Bateman return to the silver screen, as a fresh adaptation of Ellis’ “American Psycho” novel is being worked on by Luca Guadagnino, who is known for directing “Challengers”. The script for this film has been penned by Scott Z. Burns, and Austin Butler is rumored to take on the role of Patrick Bateman; however, no formal casting decisions have been made public as of now.

Head over to Letterboxd Journal’s website to read Harron’s interview in its entirety.

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2025-04-16 01:16