The real American Psycho The meaning is difficult to explain, as the film's deeply psychotic protagonist and ambiguous ending make its general message somewhat difficult to unravel. Based on the 1991 Bret Easton Ellis novel, American Psycho Follows New York investment banker and unprovoked serial killer Patrick Bateman. Christian Bale's performance as Patrick Bateman is iconic and assured American Psycho A cult following that lasted over two decades. Patrick Bateman appears in his most violent urge American PsychoActing on every sadistic impulse without consequence in his Wall Street life. The film was just as controversial as Ellis' novel - little…