The idea of remaking American Psycho totally misses the point of the original movie starring Christian Bale. Directed by Mary Harron, the 2000 black comedy-horror American Psycho is based on Brett Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel of the same name. Told through the lens of Bale’s Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street investment banker by day and serial killer by night, the chilling black comedy brilliantly satirizes 1980s “yuppie” culture. The supporting cast of American Psycho also includes Justin Theroux, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto, Chloe Sevigny, and Willem Dafoe.
Now, Lionsgate is rumored to have an American Psycho remake in the works (via The Insneider). Given how flawless and notable Bale’s performance was in the original movie, it will be difficult to find another actor who could play Patrick Bateman in an American Psycho remake as well as he did. However, one of the biggest problems with remaking American Psycho has nothing to do with logistics and everything to do with how the very act directly correlates to and conflicts with the movie’s core themes.
The Conflict with Remaking “American Psycho”
At its core, American Psycho is a rumination on toxic masculinity, corporate greed, and consumerism. Through the intersection of these concurrent themes, the film provides a cutting social commentary on 1980s Wall Street bankers like Bateman. While its critiques are specific to the ‘80s cultural moment it depicts, this 2000 film has been able to maintain longevity because the overarching themes and real meaning of American Psycho are still relevant to this day.
Ironically, some of these core themes are reflected in the very pursuit of remaking American Psycho in the first place. Not all remakes are necessarily bad ideas, but because of the enduring relevance of American Psycho, it’s hard to imagine that a modern remake would have anything new to offer. Ultimately, it doesn’t seem like Lionsgate has any real reason to hypothetically remake American Psycho other than to use it as nostalgia bait for the sole purpose of financial gain.
Remaking such a classic film as a meaningless cash grab is exemplary of the exact kind of corporate greed and needless consumerism that American Psycho is concerned with critiquing and exposing. The act of remaking American Psycho in particular would contradict the whole point of its source material, which would make it impossible for the new film’s same expression to feel genuine or authentic at all. If Lionsgate’s remake of American Psycho ever comes to fruition, its very creation would be inherently hypocritical.
FAQ
What are the core themes of “American Psycho”?
American Psycho is a rumination on toxic masculinity, corporate greed, and consumerism, providing a cutting social commentary on 1980s Wall Street bankers like Patrick Bateman.
Why does remaking “American Psycho” contradict its core themes?
Remaking such a classic film as a meaningless cash grab contradicts the critique of corporate greed and consumerism that the original movie embodies, making the act of remaking inherently hypocritical.
How does remaking “American Psycho” fit into current trends in the film industry?
Remaking “American Psycho” would perpetuate the trend of recycling existing IPs instead of investing in new and original ideas, contributing to the oversaturation of remakes, reboots, and sequels in the movie landscape.