American Psycho

American Psycho, authored by Bret Easton Ellis and published in 1991, presents a chilling narrative. The story unfolds through the first-person perspective of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy, self-absorbed Manhattan investment banker who, purportedly, leads a double life as a serial killer. Alison Kelly, writing for The Observer, highlights the novel's controversial nature, noting that in some countries, it is sold shrink-wrapped due to its potentially disturbing content. Despite this, the book has received critical acclaim, with critics praising its transgressive and postmodern qualities, while academics delve into its depths.

American Psycho delves into the unfathomable realms of madness and unveils the horrors of violence in our contemporary era. Set amidst the vibrant backdrop of 1980s Manhattan, Patrick Bateman, young, handsome, and well-educated, accumulates his wealth on Wall Street by day, while his nighttime activities remain shrouded in mystery. Through acts of torture and murder, Bateman embodies a true sense of self, foreshadowing an apocalyptic nightmare too unsettling for any society to confront.

This gripping tale has also been adapted into a major motion picture by Lion's Gate Films, featuring a star-studded cast including Christian Bale ("Metroland"), Chloe Sevigny ("The Last Days of Disco"), Jared Leto ("My So-Called Life"), and Reese Witherspoon ("Cruel Intentions"), with direction by Mary Harron ("I Shot Andy Warhol").