Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) by Christian Bale
Christian Bale created a cinematic monster twenty years ago. American Psycho, adapted from the scandalous 1991 novel, offered a disturbing glimpse into 1980s yuppie culture. It also solidified Christian's shift from a kid star to one of Hollywood's most accomplished actors. The man was a surprising casting choice in 2000, having been considered unsuitable for the role due to his young appearance. Nonetheless, he imbued the material with a distinctive aura, raising it to an exceptional level. This iconic villain is a proactive assessment of the political culture we are still contending with two decades later.
In a 2009 discussion with the movie director, Christian recounted the process of creating Patrick Bateman, highlighting the character's alien-like appearance and rigorous investigation into human nature. The actor was particularly captivated by Tom Cruise's intensity; he described Cruise as "a charismatic person with nothing behind his eyes." Bateman and Cruise, Christian believes, have a few things in common. However, while Cruise is driven by a desire to please, Bateman is consumed by a desire to get the upper hand.
Christian's most recognizable role years later, Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight, is established by his portrayal as Patrick Bateman. Christian is arguably one of the few performers capable of excelling as both the Joker and Batman, thanks to his perfectly realistic line delivery, a gaze that conveys a broken mind, and body language enhanced with humor.
