Patrick Bateman
American Psycho
Character Background
Patrick Bateman is a character in the movie American Psycho that was a remake of the Bret Easton Ellis 1991 novel. Bateman is a wealthy, narcissistic investment banker in Manhattan who descends into insanity.
Birth Date
October 23, 1961
Family
Bateman comes from an extremely wealthy family
His parents are divorced, his mother is in a sanatorium
Desire for Power
Bateman’s actions on Wall Street such as making decisions that ruins other people’s life and finances, are motivated by pure greed
He kills people who make him feel lower status, such as those who have a better taste than he does
Lower Self-Esteem
Bateman is a plagued by a low-self-esteem and anxiety, and often doubts his sanity and choices
He feels empty and detached from his identity, which leads him to mold himself after serial killers, making them a role model
Physical Appearance
Basic Description
Patrick Bateman is a white male who is 27 years old, he is 6 feet tall and around 190 pounds.
Distinctive Features
He has a maintained appearance
Often wearing designer suits and flawless grooming
Personality Traits
Key Characteristics
Narcissistic
Superficial
Greedy
Deeply obsessed with materialism
Psychological Profile
He expresses psychopathic tendencies, including his lack of empathy
Need for violence
Fears and Weaknesses
Fears being exposed and losing his social status in society
Abilities and Powers
Skills
Highly intelligent
Manipulative
Capable of extreme violence
Strengths
His overall charming personality and social status allowing him to hide his identity
Limitations
His psychopathy leads to erratic behavior and a detachment from reality
Role in the Story
Significance
Bateman is the main character, protagonist, and narrator of the film giving personal dialogue to the audience, thus providing a disturbing insight into his mind
Relationships
He has shallow un-meaningful relationships with his colleagues and fiance, who he breaks off their engagement with, often viewing people as objects or things in his way of his goal
Key Scenes
His violent outbursts and inner monologues are central to the story
Symbolism and Themes
Symbolic Meaning
Bateman represents the dark side of the 1980s and early 1990s consumer culture and the emptiness that comes with materialism
Themes
Themes of identity, morality, and the superficiality of society are explored through his character
Cultural References
Bateman reflects the excesses and moral decay of the yuppie culture of the 1980s and the early 1990s
Visual and Audio Design
Costume and Makeup
Christian Bale who plays Patrick Bateman, features a sharp business attire and a polished groom look
Costume consists of a navy/ black suit, men's dress shoes, a Rolex watch, a white button up collared shirt, a red tie, and sometimes consists of a clear rain poncho
(Costume Design)
Sound Effects and Music
The films use 1980s pop music to contrast the dark actions Bateman commits
Cinematic Techniques
Close-ups and POV shots are used to immerse the audience in Bateman’s perspective
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