Step into the chilling and satirical world of American Psycho (2000), the psychological thriller based on Bret Easton Ellis’s controversial novel. Directed by Mary Harron and starring Christian Bale in a career-defining role, this film dives into the dark, twisted mind of Patrick Bateman — a wealthy New York investment banker living a double life as a psychopathic killer.
Think you remember every iconic scene, shocking moment, and subtle clue hidden in Bateman’s descent into madness? Take our 10-question trivia challenge and see if you truly understand this cult classic. Only true film buffs and lovers of dark cinema will get a perfect score!
American Psycho Trivia Questions & Answers
Here are the correct answers to each question, along with detailed explanations to deepen your understanding of American Psycho (2000) and its twisted narrative:
- Who plays the role of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000)?
Correct Answer: Christian Bale
Christian Bale gives a haunting performance as Patrick Bateman, blending charm and menace with unsettling precision. His portrayal of a man unraveling beneath a perfectly polished surface remains one of his most acclaimed and transformative roles.
- What is Patrick Bateman’s profession?
Correct Answer: Investment Banker
Bateman is a successful investment banker in Manhattan. His job represents the soulless excess of 1980s capitalism, a backdrop that mirrors his moral decay and obsession with appearance over authenticity.
- What decade is American Psycho set in?
Correct Answer: 1980s
Set during the 1980s, the film is steeped in the culture of greed, vanity, and superficiality. Everything from its soundtrack to the fashion and social customs highlights the era’s consumerist identity crisis.
- What song by Huey Lewis and the News does Bateman famously discuss before committing murder?
Correct Answer: “Hip to Be Square”
Bateman gives an enthusiastic breakdown of “Hip to Be Square” moments before killing Paul Allen with an axe. The scene’s absurd juxtaposition of pop music critique and sudden violence exemplifies the film’s razor-sharp satire.
- Which actor plays Bateman’s colleague Paul Allen?
Correct Answer: Jared Leto
Jared Leto plays Paul Allen, whose mistaken identity and smugness make him a target for Bateman’s rage. His murder scene is one of the film’s most infamous, layered with social commentary and dark humor.
- What is the name of Bateman’s fiancée in the film?
Correct Answer: Evelyn Williams
Evelyn Williams, portrayed by Reese Witherspoon, is a reflection of the vapid social world Bateman inhabits. Their relationship is a façade, devoid of emotional substance and driven entirely by appearances and convenience.
- What business card feature does Bateman obsess over?
Correct Answer: Font and color
The infamous business card scene underscores the absurd lengths to which Bateman and his peers go to one-up each other in subtle, meaningless status symbols. The font, color, and paper stock become metaphors for their hollow lives.
- What type of weapon does Bateman use to kill Paul Allen?
Correct Answer: Axe
Bateman’s use of an axe in a scene scored to upbeat pop music highlights the film’s surreal tone and chilling juxtaposition of brutal violence with emotionless routine.
- What is the name of Bateman’s secretary who shows genuine care for him?
Correct Answer: Jean
Jean, played by Chloë Sevigny, is the only character who interacts with Bateman with sincerity and kindness. Her presence introduces a flicker of humanity, though Bateman ultimately remains emotionally detached and dangerous.
- What is the main theme explored in American Psycho?
Correct Answer: Materialism and identity crisis
The film explores how consumerism and the obsession with status erode individual identity and moral integrity. Through Bateman’s descent into madness and blurred reality, it critiques a society where the surface is everything and substance is lost.
