10 Best Horror Movies Set In New York

1. American Psycho

Black Swan 3
Lionsgate

Mary Harron's adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' work explores many themes, including consumerism, artificiality, vanity, classism, and a big dollop of homicide. Since New York is a larger-than-life place where dreams are made and dashed, it feels like the perfect setting for this twisted tale.

American Psycho revolves around stockbroker Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), who's emotionally empty despite being young, rich, and handsome. Unable to curb his primal urges, Patrick finds himself mutilating prostitutes and filling his closets with their dismembered limbs. Being an unreliable narrator, though, it's hard to tell if Patrick is acting out his sick fantasies or merely imagining things.

Bale's Bateman feels less like a human being and more like a personification of yuppie culture, materialism, and self-loathing. As riveting as it is to see Bateman go full-psycho, watching him keep up his facade at a social gathering is far more mesmerising (especially during the business card sequence).

Despite receiving mixed reviews initially, American Psycho is a thought-provoking satire that has only become more powerful and relevant over time.

 
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James Egan has been with Whatculture for five years and prominently works on Horror, Film, and Video Games. He's written over 80 books including 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts About James Bond 1000 Facts About TV Shows