American Psycho

American Psycho

Year: 2000

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: Mary Harron

Budget: $7M

DramaThrillerCrime

In 1987 Manhattan, Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker, leads a seemingly perfect life. However, beneath the facade of charm and success lies a terrifying secret – he is a serial killer. As Bateman struggles to reconcile his two identities, a complex web of relationships with his fiancée, colleagues, and acquaintances becomes increasingly dangerous, blurring the lines between reality and delusion.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen American Psycho yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – American Psycho (2000)

Explore the full timeline and setting of American Psycho (2000). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1987

The film takes place in 1987, a year marked by economic prosperity in the United States, particularly in urban centers like New York. This period is characterized by a consumerist culture, epitomized by excess and vanity, which is vividly reflected in the lives of the characters.

Location

New York

The movie is set in the bustling metropolis of New York City in the late 1980s, known for its vibrant cultural scene and affluence. It serves as a backdrop for the extravagant lifestyle of the protagonist, Patrick Bateman, showcasing the high-end dining and fashion trends of the era.

🏙️ City 🍽️ Dining

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:20

Main Characters – American Psycho (2000)

Meet the key characters of American Psycho (2000), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale)

Patrick Bateman is a wealthy and superficial investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer. His obsessive nature and detachment from reality exemplify the emptiness of his privileged existence, while his charm masks a sadistic and violent personality.

💼 Wealth 🔪 Psychopath

Evelyn

Evelyn is Patrick's girlfriend, embodying the vapid, superficial culture of the elite. She is often oblivious to Bateman's darker traits and remains preoccupied with her image and social status, highlighting the film's critique of materialistic values.

💄 Superficiality 💔 Romance

Timothy

Timothy is a colleague of Bateman's who becomes embroiled in a love triangle with Evelyn and Bateman. His character represents the shallow interactions among the wealthy elite, emphasizing the pervasive nature of infidelity and rivalry.

💼 Coworker 💔 Infidelity

Courtney

Courtney is Evelyn’s friend and Bateman's mistress, further complicating the tangled web of relationships. Her inclusion in the story highlights themes of betrayal and the superficial nature of romantic interactions in their social circle.

💋 Betrayal 💄 Vanity

Donald Kimball

Private detective Donald Kimball serves as an investigator during Bateman's unraveling. His presence escalates the tension, representing the looming threat of exposure as Bateman's violent deeds begin to catch up with him.

🔍 Investigation ⚖️ Justice

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:20

Major Themes – American Psycho (2000)

Explore the central themes of American Psycho (2000), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Materialism

The film strongly critiques materialism, depicting a world where individuals are consumed by their wealth and status. Patrick Bateman's obsession with designer clothing and opulent living illustrates the emptiness that often accompanies excessive wealth.

🩸 Violence

American Psycho explores the theme of violence, both physical and psychological, as Bateman's facade of normalcy masks his brutal impulses. The juxtaposition of his mundane lifestyle with horrific acts underscores the duality of human nature and societal indifference.

🤵 Identity

The protagonist's struggle with identity is central to the narrative, as Bateman presents a polished exterior while grappling with inner turmoil. His interactions and violent outbursts highlight a crisis of self, driven by societal expectations and personal dissatisfaction.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:20

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Unreliable narrator psychological thrillers like American Psycho

Stories where the line between reality and delusion is dangerously blurred.If you enjoyed the ambiguous reality of American Psycho, explore more movies with unreliable narrators. These films feature protagonists whose perceptions are untrustworthy, creating disorienting and psychologically complex stories where the truth is up for debate.

unreliable narratorpsychologicaldisorientingparanoidmind-bendingambiguousunsettling

Narrative Summary

The narrative is driven by a protagonist whose account of events is suspect, often due to mental illness, trauma, or deception. The plot deliberately obscures objective reality, leading to twists and revelations that reframe the entire story. The central conflict is often internal, a battle for sanity or truth within the character's own mind.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared use of an unreliable point-of-view. They create a cohesive experience of psychological unease and intellectual engagement, as the audience is actively involved in piecing together the puzzle of what truly happened.

Dark satires of social decay like American Psycho

Bleak and brutal critiques of modern society's obsessions and emptiness.Find movies similar to American Psycho that blend brutal social commentary with a dark tone. These films satirize societal obsessions like consumerism and status, often through a lens of violence or existential dread, for a sharp and unsettling viewing experience.

satiricaldark comedycynicalunsettlingsocial commentarycritiquebrutalcold

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows characters who are deeply embedded in a flawed social system, such as corporate culture or extreme materialism. Their journeys often highlight the absurdity and moral bankruptcy of their world, sometimes leading to violent or self-destructive outcomes. The plot serves as a vehicle for critique rather than a traditionally heroic arc.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their tone and thematic focus: a combination of dark satire aimed at social structures and a generally pessimistic view of humanity within those structures. They share a cohesive vibe of intelligent cynicism and critique.

Unlock the Full Story of American Psycho

Don't stop at just watching — explore American Psycho in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what American Psycho is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

American Psycho Summary

Read a complete plot summary of American Psycho, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

American Psycho Summary

American Psycho Timeline

Track the full timeline of American Psycho with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

American Psycho Timeline

American Psycho Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of American Psycho that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

American Psycho Spoiler-Free Summary

More About American Psycho

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about American Psycho: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About American Psycho

Similar Movies to American Psycho

Discover movies like American Psycho that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.