American Psycho Ending Explained, Cast, Plot, and More

American Psycho is a famous 2000 satirical horror film. Mary Harron directed it, co-writing the screenplay with Guinevere Turner. The film, based on Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel, features Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a New York City investment banker leading a double life as a serial killer. Supporting roles are played by Willem Dafoe,

Many wanted to know the American Psycho Ending Explained, and here is the article, which gives it along with the other details aboutAmerican Psycho.

American Psycho

American Psycho is a famous 2000 satirical horror film. Mary Harron directed it, co-writing the screenplay with Guinevere Turner. The film, based on Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel, features Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a New York City investment banker leading a double life as a serial killer. Supporting roles are played by Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Chloë Sevigny, Samantha Mathis, Cara Seymour, Justin Theroux, and Reese Witherspoon. Using a blend of horror and black comedy, the film satirizes 1980s yuppie culture and consumerism, highlighted by Bateman and the supporting cast.

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American Psycho Ending Explained

The American Psycho's perplexing finale is better understood when considering the sequence of events. After Bateman confesses to his crimes and wakes up from his killing spree, he goes to Paul Allen's apartment to clean up. However, he finds no evidence of his crime and is told by the realtor that no one named Paul Allen owns the apartment. Bateman's lawyer mistakes him for someone else and believes the voicemail was a joke, concluding that Bateman is too "square" to commit such atrocities. As the police appear to be leaving him alone and Paul Allen's body is missing, Bateman returns to his colleagues at lunch, and it is in their conversation that the American Psycho ending is deciphered.

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What Does the Ending of 'American Psycho' Mean?

Although considered one of the most perplexing endings in film history, American Psycho's conclusion can be deciphered by taking note of the specific sequence of events. After confessing to his killing spree, Bateman heads to Paul Allen's apartment to clean up the remains, only to find a cold realtor who claims that there is no record of a "Paul Allen" owning the apartment. Bateman then meets his lawyer, who mistakes him for someone else and dismisses his confession as a joke. Since there is no evidence of his crime, Bateman rejoins his colleagues for lunch, where their conversation holds the key to understanding the ending.

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American Psycho Cast

Cast Name 

Character Name

Christian Bale 

Patrick Bateman

Justin Theroux

Timothy Bryce

Josh Lucas

Craig McDermott

Bill Sage 

David Van Patten

Chloë Sevigny 

Jean

Reese Witherspoon 

Evelyn Williams

Samantha Mathis 

Courtney Rawlinson

Matt Ross 

Luis Carruthers

Jared Leto 

Paul Allen

Willem Dafoe 

Donald Kimball

Guinevere Turner 

Elizabeth

American Psycho Plot 

The movie American Psycho, set in 1987, follows the life of a young, wealthy investment banker named Patrick Bateman. He spends most of his time dining at trendy restaurants while keeping up appearances for his fiancée Evelyn Williams and his wealthy friends, most of whom he despises. At a business meeting, Bateman and his colleagues obsess over their business cards, and when he feels inferior to his colleague Paul Allen's card, he murders a homeless man and his dog in a fit of rage. Bateman resents Allen's ability to get reservations at a highly exclusive restaurant, Dorsia, which Bateman cannot get into. He gets Allen drunk, lures him to his apartment, and kills him with an axe while listening to music by Huey Lewis and the News.

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A private investigator named Donald Kimball interviews Bateman about Allen's disappearance, but Bateman's alibi appears to be rock-solid. Kimball conducts a second interview with Bateman, who then murders a model and puts her severed head in his freezer.Bateman invites his secretary Jean to dinner, intending to kill her with a nail gun, but he receives a message from Evelyn and changes his mind. Bateman meets with Kimball, who reveals that a colleague of Bateman's claims to have had dinner with him on the day of Allen's disappearance, cementing his alibi. Bateman breaks off his engagement with Evelyn and later murders Elizabeth, a woman he brought to Allen's apartment.

During a police chase, Bateman kills several people, including a woman who confronts him when he prepares to shoot a cat. He then calls his lawyer and confesses to his crimes, leaving a message on his answering machine. The next day, Bateman goes to Allen's apartment to clean it up but finds it vacant and for sale. A realtor cryptically tells him that the apartment does not belong to Allen and asks him to leave.

In a state of hysteria, Bateman calls Jean and meets with his colleagues for lunch. Jean finds detailed, graphic drawings of murder and mutilation in Bateman's office journal. Bateman confesses his crimes to his lawyer, but his claims are dismissed as a joke. Bateman realizes he will never face punishment for his crimes and is left uncertain if they were real or imaginary. The movie ends with Bateman in constant pain, wishing his pain inflicted on others, and declaring that his confession meant nothing.

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American Psycho Ending Explained - FAQs

1. What is American Psycho?

American Psycho is a 2000 satirical horror film. 

2. Who directed American Psycho?

Mary Harron directed American Psycho.

3. Who played the role of Patrick Bateman?

Christian Bale played the role of Patrick Bateman.    

4. Who played the role of Timothy Bryce?

Justin Theroux played the role of Timothy Bryce.

5. Who played the role of Craig McDermott?

Josh Lucas played the role of Craig McDermott. 

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