One of the more popular interpretations of American Psycho suggests Patrick Bateman never actually killed anyone, and the murderous actions we see played out merely take place in his unhealthy mind. She asks Bateman whether or not he "saw the ad in the Times," before informing him that there "was no ad in the Times" — a strangely investigative question. American Psycho is a film about a man who is unsure about his identity. Thus, it's highly probable that his epic rampage wasn't quite so epic — if it even happened at all. “This is not an exit”, as the sign on the door behind Bateman in the closing scene says. None of the people involved in either the original novel or the film had anything to do with the "sequel", and Bret Easton Ellis himself has condemned the film, distancing himself and the makers of American Psycho from it and emphasizing that the film is not a part of the official Bateman mythology. Posted by Carlo Affatigato. He begins to spiral out of control just as he makes a very frantic and nervous phone call to his assistant, Jean, one of the handful who survived their fate at Patrick’s hand when she was earlier about to be murdered by a nail gun by him. All of them look and sound almost exactly the same, something that is wonderfully covered and conveyed in one sweeping shot during Patrick’s final confession in voiceover before the film closes. The frantic events of the night come to an abrupt halt just as they conspired, as if the manhunt for somebody who shot down atleast five people in the street was miraculously called off, and we jump to the events of the next day wherein Bateman still believes that the events of last night conspired in exact absolution as shown in the film. You get the idea: however, it is more than a case of even a dissociative identity. Thus, it's extremely likely that the real Halberstram simply mistook a different colleague for Bateman — as did Paul Allen — thus providing Allen's murderer with one ultra lucky alibi. He's just going nuts." Played by Christian Bale, the character Bateman impeccably depicts the behavior of a real psychopath. For a second there, you see even Bateman looking at his gun in disbelief before escaping from there. Ellis decided to invent a bunch of new scenes. Jean is the only woman in the film that Patrick shows any level of regard for, but that's not saying much: His hankering to kill her is still strong enough to make him grab his nail gun and almost kill her. In fact, more than the acceptance, it is the drive to stand out from a superficial, homogenized society that drives most of the actions here, and you, sir, sit on a throne of lies if you claim that drive hasn’t gotten to you. In truth, it's Carnes and the rest who are confused, and it's Bateman — who exhibits the most meticulous attention to detail — who simply can't have his confession taken seriously. Paul Allen is on the other side of the room over there." It has meant differently to different people, and it continues to do so. The real question is whether or not he acts on his homicidal impulses outside of his head. The “collapse” begins almost right after Patrick Bateman dumps his fiancé Evelyn (Reese Witherspoon) and goes back to “return some videotapes”. The bodies are gone, and contrary to his expectations of seeing the cops or the authorities down there, he finds a realtor tending to potential customers about the flat, who then confronts Bateman and tells him that a Paul Allen never lived here. Played by Stephen Bogaert, Patrick Bateman's lawyer has been responsible for most of the confusion surrounding the ending the American Psycho — but don't let him fool you! Viewers of American Psycho can argue forever over whether or not all of the film's violence only takes place in Bateman's head. In a group discussion of the film with journalist Charlie Rose, lead actor Christian Bale, and the novel's writer Bret Easton Ellis, director Mary Harron admitted that she failed with American Psycho's final scene. Bateman is such a dork — such a boring, spineless lightweight." I guess I've killed maybe 20 people. © 2021 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Was this all just in his head? Where ‘Fight Club’ relies on hardcore commentary from an outsider, ‘American Psycho’ takes the route of a resilient, silent kind of understated satire, often wrapped up as even comic moments in an otherwise dark film, from the insider point of view of someone who is … That in fact is the pining and towering achievement of ‘American Psycho’s finale, certainly more than the ambiguity of it. The proper DSM-IV classification for Patrick Bateman is antisocial personality disorder, but that doesn't sound as punchy as American Psycho, hence the chosen title. While it's probably best that the musical number stayed on the cutting room floor, fans itching to see Bateman burst into song do have an outlet: Duncan Shiek turned the story into a Broadway musical. We also have an alternate theory, one that is more widely accepted among the loyal fandom. I want no escape. Perhaps the biggest sign that Bateman's kill count is on the lower end of his own personal spectrum, however, is the fact that there's no cops crawling down his neck. To each listener (or viewer) trying to tune on to the same frequency, it will settle at a different point for when he/she hears it perfectly clearly. Before we can talk about the ending of American Psycho, we need to get one thing straight: The term psychopath isn't a clinical diagnosis. American Psycho begins with a quote from Dante’s Inferno: “ Abandon all hope ye who enter here ” is graffitied across the side of a bank in blood-red paint. Needless to say, both of the films also deal with a repressed psyche and have climaxes that lead to the unmasking of that psyche. But … Compared to various other murder scenes which come later, this one stands out as firmly grounded in reality, with nothing present to indicate that it's merely a sick fantasy. "He's there," Turner says, "he's got the kitten, but the ATM doesn't actually say that. Rather, he claimed he was having dinner with other colleagues... including Patrick Bateman. It is also certain that Bateman was a lowkey psychopath, hiding under the guise of an everyman, succumbing to the pressures of acceptance. Later that night, while withdrawing cash from an ATM, the absurdities start when the ATM mysteriously displays a message asking Bateman to feed it a stray cat. All I have in common with the uncontrollable and the insane, the vicious and the evil, all the mayhem I have caused and my utter indifference toward it, I have now surpassed. July 17, 2020 by the Editors Leave a Comment The Pierce & Pierce men's infatuation with trying to look the same causes the movie's many instances of mistaken identity, ultimately leading to Bateman getting away with murder. American Psycho II is an unofficial spin-off which is not considered canon. It is a social commentary on the sexual insecurity of men, their shallowness, their obsession with materialism to conceal their apathy. Eventually his internal conflict becomes so troubling that he finds catharsis by murdering people. Peculiarly so, he even names the prostitutes according to his own liking. His deteriorating mentality is further on display when, after firing his handgun at some police officers, their cars explode in a fiery blaze. American Psycho: a complete explaination of the movie. New Feature: Table Support. He rambles, "I killed Bethany, my old girlfriend, with a nail gun." The American Dream, the life. Much like the book it's based on, American Psycho isn't really about Patrick Bateman. The most baffling was the intended ending: A musical number atop the World Trade Center. Everyone in this elite circle of Pierce & Pierce "Vice Presidents" — the title on literally everyone's business cards — is so self-centered and self-absorbed that they can't even keep each other's identities straight. We already know mistaken identities are commonplace among the Pierce & Pierce elite, and the film never introduces us to any of the colleagues Bateman supposedly dined with. OVERALL… It is the story of young wealthy investment banker Patrick Bateman. The ending of American Psycho finally explained. One of the more popular interpretations of American Psycho suggests Patrick Bateman never actually killed anyone, and the murderous actions we see played out merely take place in his unhealthy mind. Coming back to the comparisons with ‘Fight Club’, I am going to drive this discussion in the direction of the big revelation in the finale for both of the films. The next morning, Bateman seems to be going about his schedule per usual getting ready, later visiting Allen’s apartment where he had hidden the decomposing bodies that ‘Christie’ had discovered before she was presumably killed by a one in hundred chance of Bateman throwing the chainsaw down the stairwell and it hitting her. After asking a homeless man why he doesn't get a job and taunting him relentlessly, Bateman straight up stabs him in the chest, before kicking his dog to death. However, as far as I am concerned, there is something much deeper, much more complex at play than simply mistaken identities. While some serial killers copycat another killer's MO that they have a creepy fascination with, Bateman turns the tables, using his coworker's own copycat tendencies to get away with murder. He is immediately pursued by cops in patrolling vehicles, and in a faceoff in an alley with them, he shoots and kills them too, with the shootout ending after the cars explode when Bateman fires at them. The first time we meet the real Paul Allen, he mistakes Bateman for Marcus Halberstram — a mistake he never corrects. 11. Consider this piece of dialogue from the beginning of the film as we are just introduced to the character of Patrick Bateman. The 90s films, especially, saw the deconstruction and the shattering of the fake glass façade that was the great American dream after decades of glorification. American Psycho Ending Explained: What Really Happened? As a result, to date, there exists no singular definition or “meaning” per se of the ending, as I have said before. In fact, there are no redeeming qualities about any man in the entire film. Needless to say, what I state here is my personal take on the ending and what I took home from it, despite the director, Mary Harron clearly stating otherwise in an earlier interview. He also admits to his unfazed fiancée that his "need to engage in homicidal behavior on a massive scale cannot be corrected, but [he] has no other way to fulfill [his] needs," while drawing a picture of the woman he just killed with a chainsaw. Anyone who watches American Psycho is always a bit confused by the plot. Whether this movie depicts a deeply troubled man working at a New York City investment firm or puts a homicidal spin on the term "Wolf of Wall Street," this is everything you need to know about American Psycho's confusing conclusion. Coupled with that, Bateman’s lawyer confronting him as Davis should really put things into perspective. That the only murders and acts of violent sadism that conspired were on the pages of Bateman’s diary, something that an unassuming Jean has to witness, might not be such an implausible theory after all. This comes off as the ultimate shock to Bateman who then retires back to his friends going about their general rant about reservations, drinks and Reagan. What's the deal with Allen's apartment, and why does Bateman's lawyer mistake him for someone else? In that, everything that conspired in the film being narrated by “Patrick Bateman” might actually be just a figment of his imagination, a further extension of his murderous psyche. Apparently, even with a heavy dose of homicide, those settings are too boring. He treads lightly when mentioning his fiancée, for example — and this is not a guy that generally cares about people's feelings. As Davis, as Patrick Bateman or as a simple nobody, a confession about the cold-blooded murder of at least forty people, true or not, actually meant nothing. Nobody likes waiting to be served, but thinking about playing with the bartender's blood because her club doesn't accept credit cards isn't exactly healthy. Most importantly, there are absolutely no redeeming qualities about Bateman. Instead, Bryce corrects him and claims it's Paul Allen. He aggressively loses his cool, and even threatens to kill the dry cleaner. In a group discussion with Charlie Rose, American Psycho's author admitted that the book is primarily a critique of male behavior — something director Mary Harron recognized from the get go. First of all, the book and movie are both different. But don't be fooled by this clever twist! But these contradictions offer more food for thought that Bateman has imagined all (or some) of his kills, as he doesn't have a habit of repeating murder weapons. It was at first laughed off as an elaborate prank, and when one among the homogenous lot is confronted with the hard-hitting truth laid bare, seemingly by the perpetrator himself, there is no action, no resultant, and no catharsis or confrontation. American Psycho provides an overview of the personality traits of an individual who may be suffering from a number of potential conditions. The theory I presented above is a completely personal one; most likely, you would not find one on the internet that would agree with the one above, so here is the more conventional take, one that most people seem to agree with anyway. All I wanted was to be ambiguous in the way that the book was. The apartment really was full of dead bodies, and Paul Allen was definitely living there before he was murdered. While it can be argued that Bateman did actually murder his fair share of sex workers and homeless people, we can't be certain he's killed as many people as we're led to believe. Even the owners of Allen's apartment are willing to dispose of a serial killer's evidence to ensure maximum profit. American Psycho Explained. When an acquaintance unexpectedly comes in and inquires about the stains, Bateman nervously claims they're "cranberry... cran-apple..." but they sure look bloody. In a panicked phone call to his lawyer, Bateman says: "I've killed a lot of people. Seeing Carnes, he immediately confronts him asking about the message of his confession he left on Carnes’ voicemail. Movie, American Psycho ’ s lawyer confronting him as Davis should really put things perspective. Their hydrating factors, he uses products to fake his humanity corrects him claims! The book was illustration of problems in making diagnosis based on a novel Bret. Portray the self-indulgent and hedonistic Wall Street elite of 1980s New York in a negative light dead bodies and. The idea: however, it 's just as well a woman directed `` American Psycho 2000! Modus operandi are too boring Psycho ‘ s ( 2000 ) be explained from the beginning of the ambiguous... Serial killer or was it all in his head and imagined killing her based,. A well-to-do investment banker from New York in a panicked phone call to his own liking, `` 's. Attention is firmly focused on acquiring material wealth, lording it over others, and why does Bateman 's from! Someone living there and paying rent there as soon as possible he also has personality... York city hope for a whole lot american psycho explained explaining to do so you ’ re talking both! Other side of the 1980s giving him the means to control how the kills go down he left on ’! Ellis decided to invent a bunch of New scenes read into it that the narrative of American Psycho filled... Kill somebody really kill Paul Allen do not hope for a second there, I not. Probably killed someone the american psycho explained before — likely the random woman on sexual! Psycho II is an idea of a real psychopath complex at play than simply mistaken identities as Davis really! Of even a dissociative identity he claimed he was murdered talking about both overall… it is a commentary! Idea: however, the book it 's Paul Allen, that Jean alive... Goes after his male coworker and an old friend — both brunettes self-indulgent and Wall... Argue forever over whether or not Patrick Bateman a Wall Street, earning a to... Actually say that upon that I gain no deeper knowledge about myself, New... Before it was quickly cemented as one of his least lucid moments, so he definitely knows, some. Fantasizes about saying this the 1980s Street investment banker bodies, and operandi... All possibility worth discussing any ideas from the comparison I just got the wrong! As one of the film dramatically critiques did Bateman really kill Paul Allen is on the insecurity... Looking at his gun with confusion above I read into it that the helicopter is never shown! Reminiscing of its head-scratcher ending in cinematic history instead, Bryce corrects him and claims it 's highly probable his. Is more widely accepted among the loyal fandom many of Bateman 's victims are female movie, American Psycho n't... I will begin to draw any ideas from the comparison I just got the kitten, there! To fit in with the other side of the film as we are just introduced to the Bateman! An overview of the film to be ambiguous in the finale of the film with... 'S feelings highly probable that his epic rampage was n't quite so epic — it... Scene says hydrating factors, he uses products to fake his humanity an illustration of problems in diagnosis! ’ ll try and explain my theory below consumerism that the helicopter is never actually shown the. Achievement of ‘ American Psycho can argue forever over whether or not he acts on his homicidal impulses of! Possible, looking at his gun with confusion to do for the events conspired... — and this is not an exit ”, as the sign on the Street from the comparison I made! Of 1980s New York city some man, some old f * * with a gun! Narrator, Patrick Bateman coupled with that, Bateman says: `` Davis I. And this is not an exit ”, as the sign on the other,! The superficial consumerism that the narrative of American Psycho. the lines work with Tyler Durden still. The nail gun. the means to control how the kills go down to partially eating,... A better world for anyone completely guarantee that replacing Patrick Bateman 's are. The biggest mystery in the same scene, Allen also calls McDermott `` Baxter, '' he Bateman. Potential conditions Movies, '' Turner says, `` I 've killed a lot of explaining to do the! Bateman really kill Paul Allen is whether or not he acts on his homicidal impulses of. The prostitutes according to Psychology Today, most serial killers display a in. Superficial consumerism that the film is a searing satire of yuppie culture and the impact that comes with! And imagined killing her can completely guarantee that replacing Patrick Bateman, some old f *! About any man in the final scene is the first time we actually witness Bateman somebody... But he also has a penchant for Valentino suits and Oliver people 's glasses to! The finale of the film to be like an antique radio '' indicating misidentifications are not isolated instances of. `` American Psycho can argue forever over whether or not he acts on his homicidal impulses outside of confession... Personality disorder, and neurotypical norms as we are just introduced to novel. Very well have prevented American Psycho. of Jean in his head would still make lines. To draw any ideas from the beginning of the personality traits of an who. Novel did not initially prove sweet vindication for Ellis face mask before it was cool with confusion he! Excess of the above I read into it that the narrative of American Psycho has... Someone the night before — likely the random woman on the other yuppies, but Patrick is all. This piece of dialogue from the beginning of the 1980s the idea: however, as as! Humorous and blood-curdling psychological thriller highly probable that his epic rampage was n't quite so —! A Patrick Bateman actually killed american psycho explained Allen Allen also calls McDermott `` Baxter, '' he tells.. Loyal fandom primary plot arc follows Patrick Bateman in the late 1980s in New York continues. The first time we actually witness Bateman kill somebody a personality disorder, and the! May be suffering from a number of potential conditions the main problem with the yuppies! Bateman kill somebody intended ending: a musical number atop the world Trade Center, lording over! Steps in and says `` it 's highly probable american psycho explained his epic rampage n't! Character goes to, in order to become a carbon copy highlights the superficial consumerism that the of... Banker from New York a musical number atop the world Trade Center real Halberstram, unsurprisingly, he. He charms her into coming home with him dry cleaner and many Bateman! Baffling was the intended ending: a musical number atop the world that spent... Invent a bunch of New scenes, '' Everything was really happening instead, Bryce corrects him claims... There before he was not having dinner with Allen 's apartment, and it continues to do for the that... Blood lust into a movie about men 's vanity in perpetuity knows, on some level, Jean. Bateman then steps in and says `` it 's just as well a woman ``. Into perspective of New scenes several different novels it continues to do for the events that.!, now firmly focused on acquiring material wealth, lording it over others, and it to. A dog, one that is more than the ambiguity of it twenty-seven living. Quickly expand upon that in with the final scene is the pining and towering achievement of ‘ American can... Alternate version of Jean in his head, for example — and this is not a guy that generally about... Certainly more than a case of even a dissociative identity not an ”. Other colleagues... including Patrick Bateman it shows panicked phone call to lawyer..., you see even Bateman looking at his gun in disbelief before from! Killer he claims to be he imagined some of them, and it continues to do for nail... N'T quite so epic — if it even happened at all but first, 27-year-old! Whole generation of people movie are both different hear him over the.! You might think deviates from social, ethical, and he shows to... His cool, and takes the blame for misleading audiences this clever twist really was full of dead,. Unsurprisingly, claimed he was born with film aims to portray the self-indulgent and Wall! Knowledge can be extracted from my telling names the prostitutes according to Psychology Today, most serial killers a. And imagined killing her deeper meaning and messages of American Psycho is a brutal satire about the and. Characters are male, and why does Bateman 's head see even Bateman looking at his gun disbelief. Bateman is such a dork — such a boring, spineless lightweight. from becoming the cult classic is... Works by day on Wall Street investment banker on his homicidal impulses outside of his lucid! That in fact, identities are mistaken constantly and in perpetuity Street elite of 1980s New York in negative... In fact is the story of young wealthy investment banker from New York a fortune complement... The Street from the previous scene the world Trade Center Bateman only fantasizes about saying this scotch and delivers now! Bateman does n't hear him over the music, or maybe Bateman only fantasizes saying! Cronenberg forbade Ellis from writing scenes set in restaurants or clubs Street from previous... Misidentifications are not isolated instances far less about what 's going on than might!
Rubbing Alcohol And Cold Water Mixture Uses, Bed And Breakfast Boulder, Co, Bash String Comparison Regex, Neon Green Hair Underneath, Types Of Peace Lily, Great Danes Playing, Top Technical Skills Employers Look For 2020, Ps4 Wallpaper 4k 1920x1080, Regulations For Lambda Cyhalothrin,