Mary Harron, the director of the film American Psycho, has highlighted how the 2000 work became a kind of prophecy about the downfall of contemporary society. In her recent conversation with Letterboxd, Harron stated: “It was about a society of predators, and, in fact, 25 years later, society is much worse. The rich are much richer, and the poor are much poorer.” She also pointed out the alarming celebration of racism and white supremacy that, according to her, is evident in current politics.
A tremendously misunderstood work
The work, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, has been subject to misinterpretations over the years. Harron emphasized her fascination with how some viewers have distorted its original message: “Christian Bale was clearly laughing at them,” referring to those who do not grasp the inherent satire and social critique that characterizes American Psycho. In an era marked by literalness, the film’s subtlety seems to be increasingly difficult to understand.
In this context, Luca Guadagnino is developing a remake of American Psycho, starring Austin Butler. Justin Theroux, who participated in the original version, has expressed his support for this project, noting that “it’s a perfect time to retell this story.” According to Theroux, with the passage of time, it becomes easier to satirize a reality that was once the subject of criticism and humor. However, some observers have noted that what once seemed like social satire has now become a difficult reality to ignore.
As social media and the proliferation of fake news continue to shape our understanding of the world, Harron warns that the social critique of her film has reached an alarming level of relevance in the 21st century.
