American Psycho
Performance & Direction: American Psycho Review
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is American Psycho (2000) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and American Psycho features a noteworthy lineup led by Christian Bale . Supported by the likes of Justin Theroux and Josh Lucas , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of American Psycho (2000) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.4/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: American Psycho
Quick Plot Summary: American Psycho is a Thriller, Drama, Crime film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. 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. Information is revealed strategically, keeping viewers engaged as they piece together clues alongside the protagonist. The narrative maintains momentum through well-timed revelations and unexpected turns.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening scene plants the seeds of mystery, introducing questions that will drive the narrative forward.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: All mysteries converge in a climax that recontextualizes earlier events and delivers satisfying answers.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the filmmakers' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: American Psycho
Ending Breakdown: American Psycho resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of American Psycho reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
American Psycho Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
American Psycho incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, drama, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: American Psycho adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch American Psycho?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Thriller films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want suspenseful moments and mystery
Box Office Collection: American Psycho
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $7.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $34.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
American Psycho Budget
The estimated production budget for American Psycho is $7.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: American Psycho
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Where to Watch American Psycho Online?
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Apple TVAmerican Psycho Parents Guide & Age Rating
2000 AdvisoryWondering about American Psycho age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of American Psycho is 102 minutes (1h 42m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.4/10, and global collection metrics, American Psycho stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2000 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Psycho worth watching?
American Psycho is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find American Psycho parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for American Psycho identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of American Psycho?
The total duration of American Psycho is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.
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Critic Reviews for American Psycho
**A detailed explanation of the wealthy Americans on Wall Street** It is one of the most important films during the last 20 years and one of the powerful movie that left an impact on American cinema. The film talks about a hysterical, insane, murderous character who herself is a character who realizes from within that she is a murderer and describes herself with important dialogue sentences that talk about the nature of the character in the voice of the hero himself. Patrick Bateman was a thug who wanted to convey his suffering to others, and he did not see that no one had a future. He did not show any good feelings to anyone, because his suffering wanted to convey it to everyone around him, while he was without emotion and did not desire anything but hatred and hatred for everyone. It was these sentences at the beginning and end of the movie that were a complete description of the character. The director wanted to show the viewers the nature of Wall Street work and who works inside it in the old periods of this time, and all their concern and only goal was appearances and pretending with suits, glasses and cards that they made for themselves. Acting was at the highest level from Christian Bale. Acting was the distinguishing element in the work, in addition to music. The idea of linking musical or romantic works with a murderer was unique
I want be Patrick Bateman, well without the sociopathic tendencies and the murder, but his workout routine, apartment, and job are cool... Jokes aside, this movie bangs, literally and metaphorically. Christian Bale is great. The cast is stacked. Cool imagery, fantastically paced, and some wild turns the had me baffled. Score: 90% Verdict: Excellent
Well it's definitely what the title says he's a american psycho. That's an understatement. Really good movie.
Not so much an American Psycho as a Wall Street (Journal) psycho. When you look at America in 2024 it's almost a documentary.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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