I.

Title of the movie: American Psycho

Year Release: 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Main Cast: Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman
Reese Witherspoon as Evelyn
Jared Leto as Paul Allen
Samantha Mathis as Courney
Chloe Sevigny as Jean

II. Synopsis
Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale, in a star-making turn) is a shallow Wall Street banker
who lives an empty life. He lives and dies by a soda pop advertising slogan: Image Is
Everything. Set in the late 1980s, he is of a time when style reigns supreme over substance,
obsessed with his physical beauty, getting into the trendiest restaurants, and nitpicking with his
coworkers about who has the best business cards. Said co-workers (Jared Leto, Matt Ross, Justin
Theroux, and Josh Lucas), all have the same haircut and business suits, and for all intents and
purposes are interchangeable. Bateman's sex life isn't exactly lacking, by any means. He's

engaged to the shallow Evelyn Williams (Reese Witherspoon), but cheats on her with her best
friend Courtney (Samantha Mathis). He picks up a hooker off the street (Cara Seymour) and gets
her in a threesome with another one of his friends, Elizabeth (Guinevere Turner, who co-wrote
the script). His secretary Jean (Chloe Sevigny) also secretly lusts after him. Little does she know
that he seems to have knocked off his best friend Paul Allen (Leto), a nameless homeless man,
and countless members of the fairer sex, all by increasingly imaginative killing methods (staple
gun, chainsaw, ATM machine -- he tries it all). Eventually he finds he's being trailed by detective
Kimball (Willem Dafoe), who's investing Allen's disappearance but also seems to know a bit
more about Patrick than he should. From this moment on Bateman's inner demons are unleashed
as he descends into an unending frenzy of paranoia and murder. As if we needed proof that too
much Phil Collins and Huey Lewis can lead to a homicidal rampage, here comes American
Psycho to ice pick the point home. Some of the funniest scenes depict Bateman's attempts at
foreplay: the dissection of songs he considers classic. Such songs include Genesis' "In Too
Deep," Katrina And The Waves' "Walking On Sunshine," Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love
Of All," and Huey Lewis And The News' "Hip To Be Square." His interpretation of "The
Greatest Love Of All" is especially hilarious.
At the end of the story, Bateman confronts Carnes about the message he left on his
machine, only to find the attorney amused at what he considers a hilarious joke. Carnes tells
Bateman that he is too much of a coward to have committed such acts. In the dialogue-laden
climax, Carnes stands up to a defiant Bateman and tells him his claim of having murdered Owen
is impossible, because he had dinner in London with him a few days before, not once but twice.
III. Description of the character
Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), the son of a wealthy Wall Street financier, is pursuing
his own lucrative career with his father's firm. Bateman is the prototypical yuppie, obsessed with
success, fashion, and style. Bateman describes the material accoutrements of his lifestyle: his
daily morning exercise and beautification routine; his music collection, including performers
such as Huey Lewis and the News and Whitney Houston; his taste for expensive designer
clothes; and the lavish couture of his apartment. . He is also a serial killer who murders, rapes,
and mutilates both strangers and acquaintances without provocation or reason.
What disorder have you diagnosed from the character?

Dissociative identity disorder Bateman experiences two distinct personality; being

a calm professional and being a serial killer.
Narcissistic personality disorder Bateman believes that he is the superior over his
friends and colleagues.
Bipolar disorder Bateman experiences mood swings from being nice and suddenly
killed other person.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Bateman obsessed with his physical

appearance, youll see it when hes doing his every morning routine.

What are the symptoms of disorder?

Ritualistic behavior
Mood swings
Feeling of inadequate
Angry Outburst
Hypersensitivity to criticism
Aggressive, often violent behavior

What trigger the change in the character?

I guess the main reason why his psychotic side outburst is because of envy. Envy to his
coworkers who is more superior to him. He is greedy; he doesnt like anyone to be more
successful than him. He always wants to be on top. He became frustrated when someone is
superior to him thats why he ends up killing those people.
IV. Diagnosis
Cause of the characters sickness/disorder?
His disorder behavior is learned through both positive and negative reinforcement like for
example when his coworker is higher to him he will kill him to be on top. It doesnt matter if he
commits murder for as long as he feels hes the best. Or maybe he grows in an environment that
is actually dangerous where there is too much violence in the family or community. I do believe
that environmental factors really affect ones behavior. Another one is his mood disorder causes
functional imbalance of chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Maybe
those chemicals are not functioning thats why he doesnt feel any emotions when doing the
crime.
V. Treatment
Was the character aware of his disorder?
Maybe at first he is in denial, he pretends to be normal. But then before the story ends the
scene when he calls hes lawyer to confess is a proof that he knows he has done something
ridiculous.
Did the character seek any professional help?
No, because nobody knows his true condition. Many see him as a great Patrick Bateman;
rich, handsome, professional and firm.

If the character was your friend, how will you help him get over his disorder?
If I were his friend maybe I would let his family know his condition and then convince
him to consult a psychiatrist or any medical professional to help him cure his disorder. I would
let him know that he is not alone, that no matter what happens there will always be someone who
can understand him.
VI. Film Analysis
Linear type of story is used in the movie; its told from beginning and ends it
chronologically. Maybe the director uses that for better understanding of the viewer. I guess the
film is specially stylized because the horrible scene is impossible to happen in real life without
the knowledge of the people around you. The costumes and make-up of the characters are great!
They really look professionals. It suit to their different personality. There are many music played
in the movie especially when Bateman plans to kill someone maybe because to divert the
attention of his victim. I guess they use that music for us to remember the movie; the important
scene in the movie while hearing those songs in the future. For me the movie does not showcase
the disorder clearly because they did not include what is the root of his evil doings.
I were given a chance to change anything in the film, I would really consider the cause of
the disorder for the benefit of the viewer. For them to be aware that something is not normal. And
I would also add scenes with his family and his childhood experiences.