American Psycho is a psychological thriller released in 2000, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Christian Bale delivers a chilling performance as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker with a dark and violent side. The film explores themes of identity, materialism, and the dark underbelly of the 1980s yuppie culture. Bale's portrayal of Bateman is both disturbing and captivating, earning him critical acclaim and establishing him as a versatile actor.