Patrick Bateman | |
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![]() Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman (2000) | |
First appearance | The Rules of Attraction (1987) |
Last appearance | Lunar Park (2005) |
Created by | Bret Easton Ellis |
Portrayed by |
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In-universe information | |
Aliases | Pat Bateman Marcus Halberstam (Marcus Halberstram) Paul Owen (Paul Allen) |
Gender | Male |
Title | Vice President |
Occupation | Investment banker |
Family | Sean Bateman (younger brother) |
Nationality | American |
Education | Phillips Exeter Academy Harvard College Harvard Business School |
Patrick Bateman is a character created by novelist Bret Easton Ellis. He is the villain protagonist and unreliable narrator of Ellis's 1991 novel American Psycho and is played by Christian Bale in the 2000 film adaptation of the same name. Bateman is a wealthy and materialistic yuppie and Wall Street investment banker who, supposedly, leads a secret life as a serial killer. He has also briefly appeared in other Ellis novels and their film and theatrical adaptations.
While initially gaining attention upon the novel's release, Bateman's influence expanded among Gen Z. The film's cult following among young viewers propelled Bateman into the realm of a cultural icon. He is seen as the character who played an important part for the rise of the sigma male culture.[2][3][4][5] The rise of internet culture and social media platforms has propelled Bateman's character into the realm of memetic culture. Memes featuring Bateman's iconic quotes, facial expressions, and memorable scenes have proliferated across various online communities, further cementing his status as a cultural touchstone.[6][7]