In an interview with Letterboxd Journal marking the 25th year since the release of 'American Psycho', director Mary Harron expressed her confusion over Wall Street "bros" idolizing Patrick Bateman, Christian Bale's character in the film. Bateman is depicted as a sociopathic New York City investment banker and serial killer in the satirical thriller, a portrayal which was famously lampooned on TikTok, sparking concerns about the misreading of the character by young men particularly.

Harron stated, “It's beyond me. [Co-writer Guinevere Turner] and I did not anticipate that Wall Street personnel would embrace the film, let alone, idolize Patrick. Was that a failure on our part? I can’t put my finger on why it’s happened, given that Christian's portrayal was clearly a mockery of them… However, we see instances where people interpret literature like the Bible or 'The Catcher in the Rye' to rationalize extreme acts of violence.”

According to Harron, Bateman’s appeal could be attributed to his handsome looks, high-quality attire, and affluence, even though his character is also portrayed as socially awkward and absurd. This is particularly evident in nightclub scenes where Bateman’s attempts to discuss hip-hop music make him seem laughably wannabe.

In Harron's view, Bateman’s emboldening of males is paradoxical, as 'American Psycho' was intended to be “a gay man’s satire on masculinity,” based on Bret Easton Ellis’s novel by the same name. Harron considers Wall Street "bros" are misunderstanding this essential aspect of the narrative.

The director said, “[Ellis] being gay offered him a unique perspective to critique the homoerotic rituals and hyper-competitiveness among these alpha males in sectors like sports and Wall Street. They are in fact echoing gay culture in their fixation on physical appearance and gym routines. Essentially, 'American Psycho' is a depiction of a predatory society that, sadly, is starker today, marked by greater income inequality and the normalizing of racism and white supremacy.”

A new interpretation of Ellis' “American Psycho” novel is reportedly in progress under director Luca Guadagnino, with a script penned by Scott Z. Burns. Austin Butler has been rumored to play Patrick Bateman, although the official cast is yet to be announced. Harron’s full interview can be accessed on the Letterboxd Journal’s website.