The debate over American Psychos ending reveals a lot about the movie’s broader cultural impact.
While Harrons film has aged incredibly well, a strange cloud looms over its legacy.
For 25 years, conversations about Harrons adaptation have been dominated by a debate over its ending.
Its bizarre that theAmerican Psychofilm has succumbed to the simplified fate of its ending debate.
The realtor selling one of his victims apartments denies the home was recently the scene of a crime.
That finale forms the basis of the its all in his head interpretation of the material.
He blows up cars with a pistol and evades the entire NYPD.
In the movie, an ATM tells him to feed it a stray cat.
In the book, he watches a Cheerio be interviewed on TV.
Its a theory that is not only seemingly supported by the text but is that kind of aha!
revelation that seems so clever that it makes some feel stupid for believing anything else.
The only problem with that otherwise fascinating theory is that its wrong.
American Psychos Overlooked Themes Tell The True Story
American Psychos most consistent theme is identity.
Its that theme that helps explain many events that otherwise seem inexplicable.
The biggest tell comes when Bateman visits his victims apartment.
However, she asks that he simply leave and never come back.
As a handsome white man of means, he can always blend in.
Those inside that world are either indifferent or focused more on themselves.
Bateman himself seems frustrated by the idea that all of this is as easy as it seems to be.
He can use violent language because the people around him all see themselves as sharks with chainsaws.
Patrick Bateman actor Christian Bale described the process as going from psychopath to psychotic.
Mind you, thats not simply a read of the film.
Its what those who crafted the story have long tried to preach to people who wouldnt listen.
And as far as Im concerned, its not.
I dont know and I prefer it that way.
Christian Bales performance practically won him the Batman role (specifically, that of Bruce Wayne).
That aforementioned scene with the exchange of the business cards has become a prolific meme.
Its especially frustrating and darkly funny thatAmerican Psychohas joined that pantheon.
And that is what makes the its all a dream interpretation ofAmerican Psychos ending so frustrating.
Its not that its entirely invalid.
It even ties into certain themes of the story.
Its a lot easier to justify the idealization of a character if they onlywishedto commit murder.
A popular online argument for that theory even argues that weve all had those kinds of thoughts.
Or maybe the joke is on the rest of us.
Isnt that what people tell Bateman when he tries to confess to his crimes?
Thats what makes the prospect of a modernAmerican Psychointerpretation so fascinating and potentially frustrating.
Such an adaptation could indeed help undo decades of damage.
Then again, maybe were past all of that.
When you consider where the world is at, maybe it all was an American Dream.
