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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

American Psycho (film)

American Psycho is a 2000 black comedy horror film directed by Mary Harron and co-written with Guinevere Turner.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

American Psycho is a 2000 black comedy horror film directed by Canadian filmmaker Mary Harron. It stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy New York investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer.

What it is

The film is an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel. It blends psychological horror with black comedy, satirizing 1980s yuppie culture, consumerism, vanity, and identity. The cast includes Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Chloë Sevigny, and Reese Witherspoon.

Key details

Mary Harron directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Guinevere Turner. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2000, and was released in U.S. theatres on April 14, 2000. It is a Canadian-American co-production, making it relevant to Canadian film history.

Why it matters

The film is known for its satirical treatment of 1980s consumer culture, narcissism, and corporate identity. Its mix of horror and dark comedy has contributed to its reputation as a cult film.

In short

  • Directed by Canadian filmmaker Mary Harron.
  • Christian Bale plays Patrick Bateman, a wealthy Manhattan investment banker and serial killer.
  • Satirizes 1980s yuppie culture and consumerism.
  • Premiered at Sundance in January 2000; released theatrically in April 2000.
Canadian angle

The film was co-produced as a Canadian-American production and was directed by Canadian filmmaker Mary Harron, making it relevant to Canadian film history.

Quick questions

What is American Psycho?
American Psycho is a 2000 black comedy horror film directed by Mary Harron and based on Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel.
Who plays Patrick Bateman?
Christian Bale plays Patrick Bateman, the film’s main character.
What is the film based on?
It is based on the novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Psycho_(film)
    Supports: Director, screenplay, cast, genre, source novel, premiere date, theatrical release, and thematic description.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/American-Psycho-film-2000
    Supports: Mary Harron as director, Christian Bale as Bateman, and the film’s cult-classic status.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_psycho
    Supports: Synopsis, release date, genre, and runtime metadata.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Psycho
    Supports: The 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis and the character Patrick Bateman.