I looked at it, it means "American Psycho". Christian Bale plays nice. His victims and potential victims too. But in 2025, the plot is not very surprising. So let's go through the movie with googles and wikipedia.
The film "American Psycho" (2000) (directed/written by Mary Herron), based on the novel of the same name (by Bret Easton Ellis), which has long become a cult and is controversial to this day. The film also realized its meme potential in the form of GIFs.
This is the story of Patrick Bateman - a young successful investment banker from Manhattan, who lives the flawless life of yappi during the day, and at night allegedly turns into a serial killer. But the main question remains open: what really happened, and what - only in his painful imagination?
The main versions of the meaning of the film
1. Social satire on capitalism and yuppie culture
Bateman represents the soulless world of corporate America in the late 80s. His obsession with brands, costumes, restaurants, looks and business cards is a grotesque critique of a society where success is determined only by money and status. The violence in the film can be interpreted as a metaphor for the spiritual degradation of this world.
2. Murders are just fantasies
Many scenes imply that the crimes only existed in Bateman's imagination. Victims later appear alive, the logic of events often "breaks down", and the finale appears as delusions. In this version, the main character is not a maniac, but a mentally ill person who loses contact with reality.
3. Duality and uncertainty
The director deliberately does not give an unequivocal answer. This is the power of the film: the viewer must decide for himself where reality ends and a painful fantasy begins.
4. Criticism of indifference and impersonation
Even if Bateman was actually killing, no one noticed. In a world where everyone dresses the same, communicates the same way and lives by the same scenarios, individuality is erased. People are confused, and cruelty and violence go unnoticed.
Music as part of meaning
The soundtrack plays a separate role in the film. Pop hits of the 80s sound against the background of violent scenes and create an ironic contrast:
Huey Lewis & The News - Hip to Be Square - to this "optimistic" song, Bateman brutally kills Paul Allen.
A perfect example of black humor.
Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight - Bateman tells with seriousness why he values Collins' music, but all this before the scene of violence.
Whitney Houston - The Greatest Love of All - the song about self-love and personality strength is used as a parodic counterpoint to the narcissistic hero.
Music is not just a background, but another layer of satire that mocks the "glossy" face of the era.
Interesting facts and references
The book was considered too cruel for the cinema. The project was stopped several times.
A scene with business cards. Symbol of corporate pursuit: cardboard is more important than a person.
Mirrors. Bateman often looks at his reflection, has sex, looking only at himself. This is an emphasis on his narcissism and loss of identity.
Final. No one hears or takes his "confession" seriously. It is a symbol of indifference and lack of real responsibility.
In short, you need to watch the movie at least once. An interesting example of a film that found its way into pop culture, given its cruelty.
