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Theory on American Psycho's ending
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I am one of those people who consider this film a masterpiece. Brilliantly directed (by a woman no less). On the surface, Bateman appears to be normal but it's clear that he's "not there" and thus we find ourselves asking the million dollar question…
Did he really murder all those people? I say it was a figment of his imagination to fill the void; a dark fantasy and a way out from the monotony and blandness of his perceived pathetic existence! He is utterly emotionless and seeks gratification through the sex and drugs, and also by engaging in the homicidal behavior because nothing is enough.
I think most people understand that the majority of events are his imagination (you can't really run naked through a hallway carrying a roaring chain saw and chasing a screaming woman...or can you?) Reconsider the scene in which he shoots the company guard. Just some seconds later we see the scene again but only this time Bateman pulls out a pen instead of the gun from his pocket. Conclusion, an amazing film! I see crazy people in movies often, but it’s rare to find one that makes you say "Sh*t this guy really is freaking crazy".
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05/08/2012
9:54 pm CT
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My vote would be figments of his imagination since Paul Allen was never murdered and that a colleague of his had lunch with him and the writings in the notebook suggested his proposed actions. The lack of corpses and tenants looking at the apartment shows his delusional state. It's impossible to clean up a pile of dead bodies in a place for rent without alerting the police. My basis would be Allen since it was divulged in the conclusion. I could be wrong though hahaha. Great film in every aspect. |
12/12/2011
12:41 am CT
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I like everyones explanations on the subject. You've all said what I was going to, so I have nothing more to say... other than the fact that I love this movie. |
10/07/2010
4:16 pm CT
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I like that explanation, CJP. I just don't know what to think of it. I personally like movies that I can kinda make up my own version of what happened. I.E. - American Psycho, Memento, Inception. |
09/08/2010
5:23 am CT
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The main point from Bateman was that "I just want to fit in!". Thus, to fit in he recites music reviews of Huey Lewis and Whitney and recites food reviews from the NY Times. Then, he confesses more than once, but his final line is, "this has meant nothing." So, everything did happen and he confessed to it to no avail. He doesn't fit in and every problem is motivated by money, including the landlord's.
If you read the book, which is difficult because it goes into details of his murders (nail clippers to remove things etc.), it is a complete mockery of business corporations. Murders and executions, not mergers and acquisitions.
What I enjoyed about the film was that it was directed by a female, and everything in the movie is about Bateman- what he eats, drinks, wears, his cards, his money, etc. To me, this is one of the most important, over the top evaluations of the male business ego. Brillaint. |
01/25/2009
10:10 pm CT
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I never looked at it that way. That is a good way to look at it. I was thinking the exact opposite actually. That everything did not happen but he wanted it to and that is where the psycho aspect of it comes in. That society is so crazy and most people can't tell what is real and not real. |
09/12/2008
1:00 pm CT
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Alright there is a lot of speculation as to what was real and what wasn't in American Psycho. Particularly because in the end he goes to his old apartment and a woman is showing some new tenants the place. There is no blood, bodies or proof that he had indeed killed all those people.
To me, the whole movie was about how in society in the 90's was so caught up in the glam and image of being on top that they don't notice or feel anyone around them. They simply observe other people and try to be better than them even though inside they are hollow and feel nothing. It is because of this superficial nature of society that I think Patrick Bateman got away with murder.
I think everything that happened, really happened, yet no one wants their reputation or image tarnished including the apartment building owners so they simply clean it up and resell the apartment.
Patrick who was clearly pushing the envelope dareing his conscience or someone else put a stop to it, ends up being the most human of all the people in the movie. He is more human because in the end he seems to actually feel remorse (or at least feel something) and even though he thinks he killed them, society covers for him and in the end he is not even sure what has happened. Maintaining the status-quo.
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09/10/2008
9:27 pm CT
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