Mary Harron: ‘American Psycho’ Was Meant to Mock Wall Street, Not Inspire It

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In the year 2000, I encountered the unconventional horror satire titled “American Psycho“. This extremely violent satirical horror film delved into the raw nerves of corporate America, exposing the grim side of the relentless Wall Street grinder. However, as the film’s director explained, “American Psycho” has been misconstrued for many years. Instead of recognizing the humor aimed at them, so-called “Wall Street bros” failed to grasp the movie’s message. In reality, the lead character and serial killer, Patrick Bateman, was a mockery of their lifestyle.

Lately, Harron has expressed his admiration for the enduring impact of the movie during an interview with Letterboxd, marking its 25th anniversary. While the film faced harsh criticism upon its initial release, it’s now widely appreciated by both critics and audiences.

The book faced numerous criticisms even before its release. Many critics, interestingly enough, hadn’t even read the book. While there is indeed a great deal of violent content within its pages, I perceive a profound critique that extends beyond just masculine behavior. It’s a critique of society as a whole – of exploitation, consumerism, greed, and dehumanization. I find it incredibly heartening to see young women taking interest in the book.

Harron acknowledges that the character of Patrick Bateman, portrayed by Christian Bale in the film, has unintentionally been turned into a role model. She explains that this was not the initial aim when adapting Bret Easton Ellis’ book for the silver screen. Instead, the creators intended it as a “satire on masculinity from a gay perspective.” Shockingly, certain viewers seem to have misconstrued the message. Specifically, the Wall Street crowd appears to have taken away an incorrect interpretation.

I find it surprising every time. Honestly, Guinevere [Turner, co-writer] and I never imagined this would resonate with Wall Street professionals. That wasn’t our aim. So, did we miss the mark? I’m not entirely sure why it happened, because Christian is clearly poking fun at them.

It was evident to me and Guinevere, who identifies as gay, that we both interpreted the work as a critique on masculinity from a homosexual perspective. Being gay gave Ellis unique insight into the homoerotic behaviors among these alpha males, which can be observed not only in sports but also in Wall Street and other competitive environments where men are vying for supremacy and seeking to boost their status.

An ‘American Psycho’ Remake Is on the Way

In a new take on words, let me rephrase: The movie “American Psycho” features performances from Christian Bale, Chloë Sevigny, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, and Jared Leto, among others. Despite being divisive due to its chilling portrayal of violence, all delivered by a captivating actor, the film managed a respectable run at the box office and swiftly gained a devoted fanbase, frequently recognized as a must-see for its unique blend of dark comedy and horror.

Previously, we shared news that the remake of “American Psycho,” directed by Luca Guadagnino, remains in the scriptwriting phase. The director commented, “The script is shaping up quite nicely.” As of now, he hasn’t disclosed who will portray the updated version of Bateman. Casting Patrick Bateman for this project may prove challenging given the controversial nature of “American Psycho.” Nevertheless, the idea of a revamp under Guadagnino’s direction is intriguing, considering his impressive work on “Suspiria,” which is a highly-acclaimed and undervalued horror film.

Justin Theroux, who played Timothy Bryce in the 2000 version, shares Guadagnino’s enthusiasm for the remake. In an interview with Vulture, he expressed his support for a contemporary adaptation of the classic novel: “It seems they are assembling an intriguing group of individuals and actors. Typically, I’m not fond of remakes, but once I learned who is involved, I thought it could be excellent. Perhaps now is the ideal moment to revisit that story. As you gain more distance from a period, your perspective on it broadens. Truths or falsehoods become clearer, making satire potentially easier.

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2025-04-16 18:02