Though the titular psycho of Bret Easton Ellis novel engaged in far more depraved activities which thankfully would never make the cut of a mainstream movie, the 2000 film adaptation shows more than enough in the way of deranged psychopathic activity to warrant Christian Bale's Patrick Bateman his place here. Bateman displays all of the qualities we expect of a typical Yuppie in New York a high-powered investment banker with an amazing flat and a beautiful fiancé. However, all this proves to be a farce which is quickly stripped away to reveal Christian Bales characters psychopathic nature. Murder has become second nature to Bateman and he is shown slaughtering co-workers, prostitutes and the homeless for seemingly absolute no purpose other than casual amusement. It is this relaxed attitude to violence which really demonstrates how much of a psychopath Bateman is; arguably far more deserving of the Wolf of Wall Street title than Jordan Belfort. This presentation of a cold, heartless, unsympathetic banker is of course intended to be allegorical of the real criminals trading on Wall Street Ellis novel and the film merely present a hyper-reality of the inhumanity exhibited by these individuals on a daily basis. At least Bateman has the excuse that hes insane though...
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
