Is Patrick Bateman Real or Just a Fantasy? The Unsolved Mystery of American Psycho

In American Psycho, Patrick Bateman, a successful businessman living in New York City during the 1980s, hides his darker side, indulging in violent fantasies that blur the lines between reality and delusion.

Fan theories have swirled around Bateman’s true identity, with some suggesting that he might not be a murderer at all, but rather a man struggling with severe mental breakdowns and a loss of self in the materialistic world around him. What if Bateman’s violent outbursts were just dreams, amplifying his fractured mind in a world that cares more about appearances than feelings?

A key moment in the film occurs when Bateman confesses his crimes in a phone call to his lawyer, only for the lawyer to dismiss him as delusional. This moment leaves us questioning: did Bateman ever commit any murders, or were they just in his head?

What if the film’s alternate ending had Bateman caught and facing the consequences of his actions? Alternatively, imagine a prequel exploring Bateman’s childhood and the events that shaped him into the man he would become—someone driven to the edge by the emptiness of the world around him.