The Mirror of Excess: Understanding American Psycho On the surface, American Psycho is a sleek, ultra-violent thriller about Patrick Bateman, a 1980s Wall Street investment banker who spends his nights committing gruesome murders. However, when viewed through the lens of social satire, the story—both Bret Easton Ellis’s novel and Mary Harron’s film—functions as a scathing critique of the "Me Generation" and the hollow core of late-stage capitalism. The Performance of Identity
The analysis below covers the film's core themes, cultural impact, and critical reception. 📊 Executive Summary : American Psycho (2000) Director : Mary Harron
version), here are the key themes and structural points you can use to build your argument: 1. Satire of 1980s Materialism