In 1987, the life of affluent New York investment banker Patrick Bateman, portrayed by Christian Bale, is a whirlwind of exotic dining experiences and carefully curated appearances. He navigates a superficial social landscape composed of his fiancée Evelyn, played by Reese Witherspoon, and a cadre of wealthy yet vacuous acquaintances, many of whom he secretly despises. Bateman meticulously details his materialistic existence, which includes his morning exercise rituals, an intricate beauty regimen, and an impressive music collection comprised of iconic artists like Huey Lewis and the News, Phil Collins, and Whitney Houston. His lavish lifestyle is on full display—from his choice in high-end designer fashion to his upscale apartment that stands as a testament to his extravagant tastes.
Simultaneously, Bateman finds himself entangled in affairs; he is involved with Courtney, the friend of Evelyn, portrayed by Samantha Mathis, while Evelyn is having her own fling with Bateman's co-worker Timothy, played by Justin Theroux. Adding to this complex web is Courtney's engagement to Bateman's other colleague Luis Carruthers (who also happens to lean slightly gay), creating a potent mix of attraction and rivalry.
A pivotal moment comes when Bateman and his associates engage in a narcissistic display, flaunting their business cards. When Bateman becomes infuriated by co-worker Paul Allen's card, portrayed by Jared Leto, it drives him to commit brutal crimes, starting with the indifferent murder of a homeless man and his dog. At a festive Christmas gathering, Bateman lures Paul into a deadly trap by impersonating another colleague, Marcus Halberstram, leading to a horrifying murder scene set to "Hip to Be Square", where he ethically justifies his action, exclaiming that "the song is a fundamental critique of corporate America” just before he strikes Paul down with an ax while wearing a raincoat to shield himself from the blood.
After disposing of Paul's remains, Bateman plots to mislead his colleagues into believing Paul has vanished to London. His unraveling continues as he is questioned about Paul's disappearance by private detective Donald Kimball, portrayed by Willem Dafoe. In the dark hours of the night, Bateman invites two prostitutes, Christie and Sabrina, played by Cara Seymour and Krista Sutton, to his apartment, where he uses them not just for pleasure but as a canvas for his sadistic tendencies. After an encounter that leaves them bloodied, Bateman masquerades as Paul Allen, fully immersing himself in his twisted identity.
The next day unveils Bateman's encounters with Luis Carruthers, who mistakenly interprets an attempted murder in a restaurant bathroom as a sexual proposition, further complicating their relationship. Following a series of increasingly violent acts, including an intimate yet deadly encounter with his colleague Elizabeth, played by Guinevere Turner, where, during a moment of uninhibited passion, Bateman kills her, showcasing his descent into madness.
Bateman's spiral deepens when he experiences a psychological break, leading to his ultimate decision to break off his engagement with Evelyn. In a chilling turn of events, a stray kitten prompts him to enact violence at an ATM, which manifests as a senseless shooting of a woman trying to intervene. A frantic police chase follows, leading him to commit further atrocities, including the murders of innocents in an office building.
In a desperate bid to unburden himself, Bateman makes a frantic confession on his lawyer's voicemail. However, the following day he discovers that Paul's apartment, once a potential crime scene, is vacant. When he seeks out Harold, his lawyer played by Stephen Bogaert, to confess his heinous acts, he is met with laughter and skepticism as Harold mistakenly believes Bateman was merely joking about his murderous confession.
In his final thoughts, Bateman comes to a grim conclusion as he realizes he will continue to evade justice and find no catharsis for his actions, musing existentially, "This confession has meant nothing." The enigma of Bateman's true self, and the chaos that envelops him, leaves a haunting impression of a man trapped in a world devoid of morality.
