The end of the twentieth century saw a transformation of economic conditions and in American culture as a whole. The 1980s gave way to the rise of commercial malls, and the 1990s witnessed a boom in technological advancement; consequently, significantly more emphasis was placed on consumerism and the “latest product”. These two revolutions caused a radical shift in the portrayal of the American dream, and how many citizens visualized their goals and fantasies.

Rather than the old generations’ cherishing of the value of honest, hard work, many began to equate their success to material wealth and possession. Gone were the days of earning respect through virtue and honor; now, people’s happiness and social status were determined by the bulk of their wallets. This switch in societal values caused several to become disillusioned with their worlds, and feel a sort of rift between their personal identities and what was expected of them. In this week’s article, I will explore male disillusionment and the detrimental effect of consumer culture on the human psyche in Mary Harron’s American Psycho (2000).

American Psycho follows the story of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy banking executive in New York City in the late 1980s. In his world of picturesque Manhattan apartments, elegant business cards, reservations at Dorsia’s, and complete superficiality, he begins to feel increasingly in conflict with his claustrophobic world and gradually descends into madness. The film centers on the trappings of consumer culture, and just what happens when the “achiever” of the American Dream snaps.

From the very beginning of the film, it is clear that Bateman is at odds with his environment. He is extremely tense and stoic in social situations, many of his jokes and comments do not land in his interactions with others, and countless close-ups on his character immediately provide the audience with strong senses of unease and distrust. He is seen interacting with his coworkers, secretary, and fiancé, but is portrayed as lacking any genuine connection to the people in his life.

As the film continues, though, Bateman’s worldview becomes increasingly more distorted and difficult to discern from reality. This unreliable narration becomes more exaggerated as time goes on, and many are placed in Bateman’s predicament as they begin to question the disintegrating line between fantasy and reality. The result is a fascinatingly complex and ambiguous watching experience that keeps the audience guessing at every turn. The film provides viewers with an insight into the mind of a sociopath, as well as his darkest impulses and desires (allegedly) played out into real life.

While many aspects of the film contribute to the overall success and mystery of the storyline, one of the quirks that I found to be highly noteworthy was Bateman’s constant mistaken identity. Throughout the film, his peers and supposed “friends” are frequently seen getting his name wrong and mistaking him for someone else. This is a direct recapitulation of his disillusionment and lack of harmony with his own world. In the superficial realm he inhabits, where the external is valued over the internal, people are so separated from their own identities that even their names no longer matter.

At the very end of the film,–I won’t give too much away, I promise–, even Bateman’s own lawyer does not recognize him, and completely discredits his confession as something a “loser like Bateman” would never be capable of. This is a direct representation of the main character’s insignificance and loss of identity in the world he inhabits, and how materialism can cause many to lose their humanity altogether.

Overall, American Psycho provides a fascinating insight into the oppressive world of consumer culture, and how its distorted values can ultimately lead to disaster. As innovation and cultural progress continue on an upward spiral through the decades, it is crucial to remember the value of identity, as well as the dangers that can come from becoming separated from our own humanity.