American Psycho (2000)

Mary Harron's razor-sharp satire follows a Wall Street executive whose polished exterior conceals a terrifying, murderous inner life.

American Psycho - Movie Information

  • Original Title: American Psycho
  • Release Year: 2000
  • Directed by: Mary Harron
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Thriller, Drama, Crime
  • Age Rating (US): R
  • Runtime: 1h 42m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English, Spanish, Cantonese
  • Release Date (Theatrical): April 13, 2000 (Australia - R 18+), April 14, 2000 (United States - R), April 14, 2000 (Canada - 18A), April 21, 2000 (United Kingdom - 18), September 4, 2001 (Germany - 16), June 7, 2000 (France - 16), September 7, 2000 (New Zealand - 18), April 14, 2000 (Brazil - 18), May 25, 2001 (Italy - VM14), October 11, 2000 (Spain - 18), November 25, 2000 (South Korea - 18)
  • Alternative Titles: Amerikan Psixi (AZ), Ամerիkyan Xelaghar (AM), 美国杀人狂 (CN), Амерички психо (RS), Psicópata Americano (MX), アメリカン・サイコ (JP), 아메리칸 싸이코 (KR), Psicópata Americano (CL)
  • Production Companies: Lionsgate, Pressman Film, Muse Productions, Christian Halsey Solomon Productions
  • Production Countries: Canada, United States of America

American Psycho - Plot

A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he escalates deeper into his illogical, gratuitous fantasies.

American Psycho - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the chilling world of Patrick Bateman unfold:

Killer looks.

Where to Watch American Psycho

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American Psycho - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Mary Harron

Main Cast

  • Christian Bale
  • Justin Theroux
  • Josh Lucas
  • Bill Sage
  • Chloë Sevigny
  • Reese Witherspoon
  • Samantha Mathis
  • Matt Ross
  • Jared Leto
  • Willem Dafoe

Writers

  • Guinevere Turner
  • Mary Harron

Producers

  • Christian Halsey Solomon
  • Edward R. Pressman
  • Chris Hanley

American Psycho - FAQs

Is Patrick Bateman actually a killer in American Psycho?

The film deliberately leaves this ambiguous. Patrick Bateman's murders may be real acts of violence or elaborate fantasies conjured by a deeply disturbed mind. Director Mary Harron and the source novel both embrace this unreliable narrator device, making the question of Bateman's literal guilt central to the film's satirical critique of 1980s yuppie culture.

What is the ending of American Psycho explained?

The ending suggests Bateman's confessions go unacknowledged — his lawyer dismisses his admitted crimes, and the world around him remains indifferent. Whether the murders were real or imagined, the conclusion implies that within a society defined by status and superficiality, even a self-declared psychopath cannot be seen for what he truly is.

Where can you stream American Psycho?

American Psycho is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and the Criterion Channel. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. A free viewing option is available via Plex Channel. Availability may vary by region.

Is American Psycho based on a true story?

American Psycho is not based on a true story. It is adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's controversial 1991 novel of the same name. The character of Patrick Bateman is entirely fictional, though the novel and film satirize real cultural phenomena of 1980s Wall Street excess and toxic masculinity.

Who stars in American Psycho (2000)?

Christian Bale leads the cast as Patrick Bateman. Supporting roles are filled by Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage, Chloë Sevigny, Reese Witherspoon, Samantha Mathis, Matt Ross, Jared Leto, and Willem Dafoe, who plays the detective investigating a disappearance connected to Bateman.

What is the age rating for American Psycho?

American Psycho is rated R in the United States, meaning viewers under 17 require accompanying parent or adult guardian. The film contains graphic violence, strong sexual content, and disturbing psychological themes. International ratings include 18 in the UK and Australia, and 16 in France and Germany.

How long is American Psycho?

American Psycho has a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes (102 minutes). The film maintains a brisk, unsettling pace throughout, balancing darkly comedic social satire with escalating psychological tension and bursts of graphic violence across its lean running time.

Did American Psycho receive positive reviews from critics?

American Psycho earned strong critical praise, particularly for Christian Bale's magnetic performance and Mary Harron's sharp satirical direction. It holds a certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics celebrated its dark wit and biting commentary on consumerism, masculinity, and the hollow ambitions of 1980s corporate America.

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