25 years on from its release, I can’t help but marvel at how timeless “American Psycho” remains, as its director, Mary Harron, asserted during a chat with Hasan Minhaj at the 2025 Tribeca Festival on June 7. The cult classic still resonates powerfully today just as it did back in 2000.
The horror movie, set between 1987 and 1989, chronicles the story of investment banker Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale), as he grapples with his murderous impulses. Director Mary Harron expressed to Minhaj that she felt Wall Street workers during filming were “dinosaurs,” suggesting we wouldn’t encounter men like them in future times.
She added that there indeed was excessive Wall Street greed and unscrupulous practices following the movie’s release, but they were largely concealed. However, she noted with concern that such detestable behavior, including blatant racism, is still being celebrated today. She expressed surprise at this.
Minhaj pointed out that Bateman appeared to express the underlying, problematic aspects of society in his voiceovers, while contemporary individuals seem less hesitant to employ abusive language. Harron concurred, stating that she perceived Bateman as a symbol rather than an individual. In her words, “Patrick Bateman is similar to embodying all the horrific aspects of 20th-century capitalism and the Reagan era,” she said, highlighting issues such as cruelty, contempt for the less fortunate, sexism, and racism as some of the themes he didn’t shy away from glorifying. Furthermore, she added that the character symbolizes the “achievement” of “male supremacy and wealth.
When Minhaj inquired if the current situation resembles the movie’s storyline, Harron confessed that her perspective of the world has shifted since the film was created. “Initially, when we were making the movie, I used to believe that the course of history moves towards justice,” she explained. “But now, I think it might be more like a spiral or perhaps a rollercoaster ride,” she added. “It doesn’t only bend towards justice. I hope and believe that we will navigate through this difficult period and find better days ahead.
After remarking that she could not have predicted the current state of the world in 2025, Harron expressed, “It’s significantly more dire than when I was filming. In essence, it’s open fascism.” Furthermore, she suggested that the reason people still appreciate this film may be because it reflects the direction of our society today.
Harron, who collaborated with Guinevere Turner on the screenplay, pondered over the enduring appeal of Bateman today following Minhaj’s observation that some find the character inspiring. “We were taken aback when we realized Wall Street types appreciate the film,” she remarked. ” Frankly, we thought we were making fun of it all along! I can’t quite grasp it myself.
She proposed that individuals might find the character inspiring as he “possesses all the material goods one could desire” and exhibits a lifestyle where he can do whatever he pleases.
The film makes multiple references to the Trump family, with Donald Trump being a character in the novel “American Psycho” (1991) that the movie is adapted from. As one character stated, Trump’s presence in the story served as a form of quasi-celebrity. She noted that Bateman’s fiancée, Evelyn Williams (played by Reese Witherspoon), expressed her concerns about his infatuation with the current president. In the 80s New York, people did not view Trump as cool or admirable; instead, they saw him as something of a joke.
Additionally, during the interview, Harron pondered over why Bale proved to be an ideal choice for portraying Bateman, following multiple recasts of the role. “It was quite peculiar as he hadn’t taken on anything similar in his previous acting roles,” she stated, mentioning that Leonardo DiCaprio initially held the part.
Harron clarified that among all potential actors, Bale stood out because he found the script as amusing as she did, which made her believe he was ideal for portraying Bateman. As she put it, “It essentially boiled down to sharing a similar sense of humor.” She explained further why Bale ended up getting the role: “The other actors I auditioned had a feeling that Bateman was somehow cool. For me, there wasn’t any coolness to him; we were focusing on the absurdity instead. So, it was crucial that we both understood this perspective.
The discussion ended as Harron reminisced about the struggles in getting the movie produced, until Lionsgate stepped in. “I could hardly imagine the warm reception it would receive,” she remarked, speaking of the film’s enduring impact.
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2025-06-08 07:54