The double entendre dialogue is a delight. Effectively advancing the story throughout.

Rating: 10/10 (23 November 2000)

American Psycho
Loved it. Anyone seeking a traditional horror movie on par with Urban Legends, Scream and movies of that kind will likely be disappointed with this film. This movie fits into a category best described as psychological horror perfected with a black comedy garnish. It presents the deterioration of main character Patrick Bateman's (played by Christian Bale) sanity; and his descent from a thread-bare lifeline to the real world. Summing: It's bloody good.
The film is littered with clues about what is really happening on-screen. The viewer has to watch/listen carefully indeed to catch it all. The story is expertly told by Director Mary Harron, based Bret Easton-Ellis' book. She unveils evidence of what is really going on in measured doses, but I did not fully `get it' until the end. I will be eagerly awaiting Mary's next production based on this work.
It is a film for the '90s, dealing with and cleaning up possible consequences from the unstable mind after the decadent 80s on Wall Street. On its face, it is a brutal tale in what might slide into a Slasher Genre. But (as with American Beauty) LOOK CLOSER! The critical question: `Have you ever let your mind wander about how you might resolve an adversarial situation if there was no possibility of getting caught?' Magnify those `mind meanderings' by a factor of 100 to reflect slipping from sanity. This movie's premise explores that avenue completely. It is handled in a creative, entertaining way for horror fans.
The double entendre dialogue was the most enjoyable part for me. Normally reserved for comedy, it is used as an effective device in this throughout. Listen carefully to what Patrick Bateman says, and to how it is answered by an opposing character on-screen. The clues regarding what is actually happening on-screenare everywhere. But stay alert. Miss nothing. Good advice.
Christian Bale and Willem Dafoe portray thoroughly believable characters. And Chloe Sevigny - always the consummate actress - executes an extraordinary submissive administrative assistant role as Jean. (She has been a favorite of mind ever since the movie Kids.)
It will never dethrone a mainstream, horror classic like Hitchcock's Psycho, but this film will find its niche with devotees of the psychological horror thriller. My recommendation is to see this film not once - but (at least) twice. PS: Not the world's best `Date Movie,' by the way, unless two horror fans are on the prowl for interesting fare. Enjoy.