Mary Harron Reflects on ‘American Psycho’ and Its Surprising Legacy
Handling the 25th Anniversary
Mary Harron, the director behind the satirical thriller American Psycho, recently commemorated the film’s 25th anniversary in an interview with Letterboxd Journal. She expressed her bewilderment over the film’s unexpected appeal to “Wall Street bros,” a term that encapsulates a certain demographic celebrating the film’s anti-hero, Patrick Bateman, portrayed by Christian Bale.
Questioning the Film’s Reception
Harron conveyed her confusion regarding the film’s reception among a demographic that seemingly embodies the values satirized in the story. She remarked, “I’m always so mystified by it. I don’t think that [co-writer Guinevere Turner] and I ever expected it to be embraced by Wall Street bros, at all. That was not our intention. So, did we fail? I’m not sure why [it happened], because Christian’s very clearly making fun of them.”
The Role of Social Media
Harron acknowledged the influence of platforms like TikTok and various memes in shaping the image of Patrick Bateman, noting that his portrayal as a wealthy, handsome, yet inept character can be alluring to some. “There’s [Bateman] being handsome and wearing good suits and having money and power. But at the same time, he’s played as somebody dorky and ridiculous,” she noted, highlighting moments in the film that expose Bateman’s socially awkward attempts at being trendy.
A Misunderstood Satire
The director revealed her original intention behind American Psycho, emphasizing that it was conceived as “a gay man’s satire on masculinity.” She elaborated, “Ellis being gay allowed him to see the homoerotic rituals among these alpha males… where men are prizing their extreme competition and their ‘elevating their prowess’ kind of thing,” pointing to underlying themes that some audiences may overlook.
The Current Societal Reflection
Harron commented on the socio-economic disparities and cultural issues that remain relevant today, stating, “The rich are much richer, the poor are poorer. I would never have imagined that there would be a celebration of racism and white supremacy.” Her concern over the current political climate emphasizes that the themes explored in the film might resonate even more profoundly now than they did at the time of its release.
What’s Next for Patrick Bateman?
Looking ahead, another interpretation of Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho is in the works, directed by Luca Guadagnino. The screenplay has been penned by Scott Z. Burns, with speculation that Austin Butler may take on the role of Patrick, although no official announcements have been made yet.
