Twenty-five years ago, in his pristine but sparse Manhattan apartment, viewers got ready with Patrick Bateman for the first time, meeting the often suited and sometimes blood-drenched fictional character through his intensive morning routine. In the 2000 film adaptation of “American Psycho,” Christian Bale plays the yuppie investment banker — and nighttime serial killer, depending on your interpretation — who, upon waking, dons a cooling gel eye mask for his puffy eyelids while doing 1,000 crunches in his white briefs. He details his subsequent nine-step skincare routine at length with added pointers. (Alcohol-based products are drying and “make you look older,” he offers). When his glistening herb-mint facial mask peels off, his real mask slips, revealing his unsettling stare. “There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman, some kind of abstraction, but there is no real me, only an entity, something illusory,” he monologues. “And though I can hide my cold gaze and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable, I simply am not there.” Throughout the film — and even more so in the book, published in 1991 by Bret Easton Ellis — Bateman is obsessive over brands and consumer goods, rattling off his knowledge and judging others on their tastes. Today, his specter lurks online through the hyper-consumerist attitudes on social media that almost makes his character’s obsessive behaviors seem normal. Influencers chronicle their minute-by-minute early morning fitness and wellness routines or multistep nighttime skincare regimen that appear to involve a never-ending array of products. The “morning shed,” popularized on TikTok, can involve peeling off or discarding multiple hydrating skincare masks, wrinkle patches, chin straps, mouth tape, LED masks, hair rollers and body wraps, all apparently worn overnight, to start the day. (Last year, Allure called the trend “the prison of being perpetually hot.”) “It’s a very relevant film for now, and of course, it was (released) way before social media,” said Jaap Kooijman, an associate professor in Media Studies and American Studies at the University of Amsterdam, who has written and taught on the book and film versions of “American Psycho,” in a phone interview. “But it’s based on the same principle of the outside appearance (and) consumer goods masking being empty inside.” Pure performance The film may depict a serial killer, but it’s the display of the “serial consumerism” of the era — then limited to traditional media like print and TV ads — that has become a fascinating harbinger as consumers’ aspiration for products that align with self-worth has only seemed to grow. The film’s themes converge most directly in the “manosphere,” the increasingly persuasive corner of the internet pushing narrow and problematic views of masculinity. Bateman has often been held up as a cult symbol of the “sigma male,” an archetype for someone introverted and attractive who works hard, works out, has a good skincare routine, and also harbors contempt for women. Ellis’ original intentions with his novel have been continually debated, with many critics believing the book to be inherently misogynistic. But director Mary Harron’s take on Bateman, co-written with screenwriter Guinevere Turner, has been considered feminist by some, including Kooijman, in its critiques. “We’re still watching a serial killer, but it’s so over the top, and so well played by Christian Bale that it’s, you cannot take it fully seriously,” Kooijman explained. The same can be said of engagement-baiting online, where every trend is taken to extremes and context can be lost. Is it satire when a six-hour morning routine goes viral for dunking one’s face in iced sparkling water at 5 a.m. after pushups on the balcony? Or does it only become that when someone else responds with their version dipping their face into the bowl with each push-up? Bateman may have taken notes and ditched his gel mask. In any case, it’s all performance, something that “American Psycho” toes the line with as Bateman is increasingly revealed as an unreliable narrator. Bateman obsesses over the symbols of status — his business card typeface, the ever-elusive reservation at the notoriously exclusive restaurant Dorsia — but the reality of his day-to-day activities is unclear. His peers misidentify him, his outbursts to fiancé (played by Reese Witherspoon) and secretary (Chloë Sevigny) aren’t met with responses, and his chainsaw-wielding murders are cleaned up like they never happened at all. “His persona as a serial killer is just as real — or not real — as his persona as a consumer and his persona as a (banker),” Kooijman said. “They become interchangeable, and that’s the terror, or the dystopian factor of ‘American Psycho.’” Yet, while Ellis’ novel can be interpreted as a critique of the wealth and consumerism of New York in the ‘80s, a period of significant economic growth, it’s also presenting it, Kooijman said. “You could also read it as a celebration.” Because of that, Bateman’s purpose may have been lost on the fans who could benefit from the film’s point. After all, by the end he is a pathetic figure, confessing his most depraved actions only to be called the wrong name and ignored once again (not so much a hero of masculinity after all). Instead, many young men are circling around the same preoccupations that Bateman did, “looksmaxxing” to improve one’s jawline or skin but to an echo chamber of like-minded disaffected internet users, much like investment bankers showing off new business cards to one another to inflate their self-worth. The manosphere, after all, is intended for itself. “You can always be thinner, look better,” Bateman tells his secretary when he invites her over for the evening. Online, that message continues to resonate, as social media drives the insatiable hunger for more. In “American Psycho,” Bateman’s identity is a hollow assemblage of labels, products and condescending monologues — a blueprint for the experience of being online today. Like and subscribe to watch the mask slip.
25 years on, Patrick Bateman’s unsettling morning routine is normal
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Reflecting on Patrick Bateman's Morning Routine in the Age of Social Media"
CNN
7.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Twenty-five years after its release, Patrick Bateman's infamous morning routine from the film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's "American Psycho" remains a point of cultural reflection. In the 2000 film, Christian Bale portrays Bateman, a Wall Street yuppie whose meticulous grooming rituals serve as a stark contrast to his dark, violent tendencies. Audiences are introduced to Bateman as he engages in an elaborate morning regimen, which includes a nine-step skincare routine and a series of physical exercises designed to maintain his perfect appearance. His monologues reveal a character obsessed not only with personal aesthetics but also with the brands and consumer goods that define social status. The film and the original novel critique the emptiness of consumer culture, suggesting that beneath the polished exterior lies a profound hollowness. This theme resonates today, especially as social media perpetuates similar hyper-consumerist behaviors among influencers who share extensive wellness routines that echo Bateman's obsessive habits.
The relevance of "American Psycho" has evolved alongside the rise of social media, where the performance of self-worth through consumerism has become increasingly prevalent. Experts like Jaap Kooijman note that while the film's depiction of Bateman as a serial killer is extreme, it mirrors the modern obsession with outward appearances and material possessions. The emergence of trends such as the 'morning shed' on platforms like TikTok showcases a culture fixated on elaborate beauty regimens, often reducing complex identities to mere performances. The character of Bateman is frequently appropriated within the 'manosphere,' where he symbolizes a problematic ideal of masculinity that values appearance and consumerism over genuine connection. Critics debate whether Ellis's work serves as a critique or a celebration of capitalist excess, but the underlying message remains clear: the pursuit of superficial status can lead to a profound disconnection from reality. As the lines between performance and authenticity blur, Bateman's character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing consumerism to define personal identity, a lesson that resonates strongly in today’s digital landscape.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article reflects on the lasting impact of Patrick Bateman, a character from Bret Easton Ellis's "American Psycho," especially as it relates to contemporary societal norms around beauty and wellness. By drawing parallels between Bateman's obsessive routines and current trends in self-care and fitness, it explores how such behaviors, once considered extreme, have become normalized in today's influencer-driven culture.
Cultural Commentary on Obsession
The piece critiques the hyper-consumerism that Bateman embodies, suggesting that social media has allowed similar obsessive behaviors to infiltrate everyday life. The mention of TikTok trends, such as the "morning shed," highlights how these rituals are not only accepted but celebrated, potentially leading to a culture of superficiality and self-absorption reminiscent of Bateman's character.
Reflection on Identity and Reality
Bateman's monologue about the illusion of self resonates in an age where online personas often overshadow reality. The article implies that many individuals may relate to Bateman’s struggle with identity, albeit in a less violent context. This connection suggests a deeper societal issue regarding authenticity and the pressures of maintaining an image.
Implications for Society
The normalization of extreme self-care routines may have broader implications, including the promotion of unhealthy beauty standards and consumerist behavior. By drawing attention to these trends, the article invites readers to reflect on their own routines and the societal pressures that shape them, potentially leading to a critical reassessment of values regarding health and self-presentation.
Potential Manipulative Aspects
While the article primarily aims to critique societal norms, it also risks inadvertently glamorizing Bateman’s character through its focus on his routines. This could be perceived as manipulative, as it may glorify an unhealthy fixation on appearance and status, echoing the very behaviors it seeks to challenge.
Trustworthiness of the Article
The article appears credible as it references a well-known cultural text and critically engages with contemporary issues. However, its effectiveness may be limited by how it balances critique with the allure of Bateman’s lifestyle, which could undermine its intended message.
Connections to Other Media
This analysis may find resonance with other critiques of social media culture and the ongoing discourse around mental health and consumerism. The portrayal of obsessive behavior in different contexts can create a network of commentary that spans various platforms and genres, indicating a broader societal concern.
The article serves as both a critique and a reflection on current trends, highlighting the fine line between self-improvement and obsession. It aims to spark conversations about identity, consumerism, and the potential dangers of normalized extreme behavior in the quest for perfection in the modern world.