The viewer can't help but be drawn in; Bale manages to make Bateman a sympathetic character, to the point where I was cheering to see his weak, spineless coworkers brutally murdered. The rest of the cast serves as little more than people for Bateman to interact with, but they're recognizable and serve their purpose: Reese Witherspoon plays Bateman's clingy fiance, while Jared Leto becomes a victim of the killer's envy. Willem Dafoe is unsettling as always as a private eye who is either completely inept and unable to see Bateman's guilt, or brilliantly not letting on what he knows. The actors all seem to realize that this is Bale's film, and as a result are subservient and gutless, in contrast to Christian's defiant and confident attitude.

The direction is very well-done; Mary Herron, on her second major film, isn't afraid to draw scenes out, especially when Bateman is getting set to kill, and still manages to keep things from becoming awkward. American Psycho also has to have one of the greatest sex scenes in cinema history: Bateman picks up two prostitutes and makes love to both of them at the same time, but spends the entire scene admiring himself in the mirror, even while in the act. it's hilarious, it's disturbing and it reveals so much about who Patrick Bateman is.

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It contains graphic violence and sexuality, as well as heavy drug usage and expletives. But those who aren't deterred by such intensities should find the movie to be a shocking, disturbing and very funny satire. American Psycho brilliantly makes fun of business culture and a society that is focussed on the cleanest suits, the finest drinks and the nicest business cards. The audience follows Bateman into the realm of insanity and enjoys every minute of it, even though we all know that we shouldn't. With its perfect lead, excellent direction and biting commentary, American Psycho is one hell of a movie, not to be missed by any fans of Christian Bale, social satire, or unrelenting ultra-violence.