The Canonization of Patrick Bateman

by

As a devoted cinephile, I find myself drawn to Mary Harron’s exceptional adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, “American Psycho,” from 1991. In this gripping narrative, Patrick Bateman, a 27-year-old investment banker and potential serial killer, takes us through his routine mornings in his Upper West Side condo. The stark interior of the apartment mirrors the pristine whiteness of the briefs Bateman wears, showcasing his well-defined musculature as sleekly as an action figure.

“I value self-care, a balanced diet, and a disciplined workout regimen,” Bateman declares, as a melancholic piano piece by John Cale plays in the background. Each day begins with Bateman performing a thousand stomach crunches, often while wearing an ice pack to address any facial puffiness. His skincare routine is meticulous: a pore cleanser, scrub, alcohol-free aftershave (to prevent drying), two moisturizers, and an eye balm. The application of the mint facial mask, as well as everything leading up to it, offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a man whose credit-card statement seems to serve as his soul, a man who describes himself as a human void as he slowly removes the dried gel from his face, his eyes devoid of life.

In this movie scene, Bateman’s meticulous morning routine is not meant to inspire but rather depict his character as empty and materialistic. However, if you browse social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Reddit, you’ll find numerous posts that mimic this routine, albeit with a focus on wellness instead of brutality. These men share their daily routines, sometimes even waking up before sunrise, to follow disciplined routines centered around health, grooming, and work. While the specific activities have changed over time, the essence remains the same. Bateman’s morning symbolized his superficial yuppie lifestyle, masking a violent personality. Yet, without its satirical context, it could be seen as an aesthetic portrayal of the grind-set culture. The only missing elements are advertisements for Bateman’s life coaching program and links to purchase his preferred products.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=vjf-hzY-Bno

25 years have passed since the release of American Psycho, an anniversary that holds more significance than the original book’s publication. In this film, Ellis introduced us to Patrick Bateman, a sociopathic white-collar figure in Manhattan who embodies entitlement so strongly that he believes he could literally get away with murder, whether his described acts of violence are real or merely fantasies. Harron brought Christian Bale to life in what would become one of his most memorable performances, portraying a character who doubts his own humanity and struggles to maintain a semblance of normalcy due to his inconsistent emotional expressions. These irregularities would normally be glaring red flags, but in Bateman’s twisted world, they serve to make him more susceptible to being devoid of meaning.

In other words, is Patrick Bateman receiving a sympathetic reinterpretation, or has society lowered its standards to align with his character? This question arises as we reflect on the evolution of Bateman from a first-person narrative experience to a fully realized character on screen.

In my perspective, it wasn’t Harron who was at fault; she had a deep grasp of the assignment unlike Ellis and some readers back then. She recognized that the film adaptation would transform the content into a more biting satire rather than nihilistic, with the blend of corporate jargon and gruesome violence being darkly humorous. As I shared with Vulture during the movie’s 20th anniversary, what drew me to the book was its resemblance to early Evelyn Waugh, particularly Vile Bodies. It captured the dialogue of these privileged individuals so accurately.

Ellis was penning a depiction of the ’80s that had recently ended, whereas Harron, with more temporal distance, was creating a contemporary piece. Her portrayal of Bateman is both grotesque and amusing, with his constant rictus grins and Master of the Universe fashion sense, becoming enraged at the sight of an impressive business card and seeming to mock vacuous urban professionals even when he was being utterly serious. The irony lies in the fact that while the character was truly terrifying, he was also incredibly captivating, leading viewers to unwittingly embrace him as an anti-hero, regardless of the text’s intentions. Similar to Walter White, he was someone who people couldn’t help but transform into a sympathetic figure.

Unlike the character Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, Christian Bale’s portrayal of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho was so over-the-top that it became a rich source for memes and internet culture. Over time, images of Bateman have been used to represent excessive numbers on 4chan, pictures of him holding a Huey Lewis and the News CD, depictions of his pained expressions while wielding an axe, and even his flexing and pointing pose during a threesome with two sex workers. The memes featuring Bateman have become reliable responses in online discussions. The history of internet culture serves as a warning about the thin line between ironic appreciation and genuine admiration. Bateman has proven to be a more adaptable symbol than most, often referred to as a real-life Crying Wojak, an idealized masculine figure (Chad), and more recently, controversially, one of the faces of the sigma male – a term coined by those who believe in hierarchies of masculinity but acknowledge they’d never reach the desired tier.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=RjKNbfA64EE

Although Bateman’s popularity seems closely tied to societal changes rather than a shift in our perception of the character, it’s striking how the era of American Psycho appears to be making a comeback. The upcoming adaptation by Luca Guadagnino is a testament to this resurgence. Current trends are leaning towards the extravagance and boldness of shoulder pads and power suits, mirroring the opulence of the 80s. Coincidentally, Donald Trump, once a staple of 80s tabloids and now a sitting president, shares some similarities with Bateman’s character, albeit subtly. The Bateman portrayed in the movie may not be as openly admiring of Trump as the novel’s version, but Trump’s 2016 statement about shooting someone on Fifth Avenue echoes Bateman’s callous disregard for others. A cocktail bar inspired by American Psycho opened in Manhattan in March, named after the character rather than the exclusive restaurant Dorsia. Christian Bale’s portrayal of Bateman is being celebrated for his aesthetics, particularly his fitness and skincare regime. Interestingly, his minimalist apartment resembles the monotonous backdrops often seen in influencer videos.

Have I, the one who gained notoriety for a TikTok detailing my rigorous 5.5-hour morning routine (complete with mouth tape, banana peel, and countless Saratoga Springs bottles), ever watched American Psycho? Or was it that hustle-bro culture and the portrayal of sociopathic masculinity by Christian Bale organically merged to create this routine? It’s disconcerting how a film intended as satire can feel less like a joke when we’ve wholeheartedly adopted so much of what it mocked, from relentless consumerism to unapologetic self-worship. The audience, who are aware of the film’s ending, don’t seem unfazed; they just don’t seem to mind. Kareem Shami, a personality known for promoting appearance improvement through his online program, went by “syrianpsycho” and was inspired by the film: “When I watched it, I thought, ‘Wow, I wish I had his skincare routine, his morning routine.’ The only part that’s not ideal is his psychopathic tendencies.” Justin Theroux, reflecting on his role as Timothy Bryce, expressed unease about the level of admiration some people have for the character now: “In bro culture, he became a sort of hero, and I find that deeply troubling.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=M9_GPnryK8c

It’s with people who fail that he seems to have the most influence. On Reddit, people talk about identifying with Bateman’s detached thoughts and mock those who criticize them for admiring the character. During his unsuccessful presidential campaign, Ron DeSantis made a sweaty ad imitating Bateman. We’re in an era of misunderstanding, from Sam Altman wanting to market his AI as a real-life version of Her, to Peter Thiel claiming that only immortality separates Tolkien’s humans and elves (and naming his data company after the corrupting stones in those books). However, using Bateman as a role model is particularly significant because it represents a mix of joking and genuine admiration, self-awareness and delusion. It seems intentional that many public figures who reference this character are selling different types of life coaching. He’s a paradoxical figure: a symbol of masculine power yet detached from it. He also lacks his own opinions and expresses his anger through violent fantasies against women, making him more like certain forum dwellers than his fans would admit. Anyone can join this club, even without the perfect body or expensive suits – it might not be Dorsia, but it’s easy to get in.

Read More

2025-05-06 23:06