American Psycho, released in 2000, showcased Christian Bale’s captivating portrayal of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy Wall Street trader embodying the superficial pursuit of success. The film, directed by Mary Harron and based on Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, remains influential for its sharp critique of capitalism. In contrast, the 2002 sequel, American Psycho 2, featuring Mila Kunis, failed to capture the original’s essence, earning poor reviews and criticism for its lack of connection to the source material.
The Impact of American Psycho
Debuting in France on June 7, 2000, American Psycho made a lasting impact, spotlighting the remarkable talent of Christian Bale. With his compelling performance as Patrick Bateman, a self-absorbed and violent embodiment of American success, Bale captivated audiences. Five years later, he further solidified his acting prowess in Batman Begins, but it was his role as the arrogant golden boy in American Psycho that truly showcased his charisma.
Bateman, a young and affluent trader, epitomizes the cutthroat world of Wall Street, where only the elite thrive. He obsessively curates a lifestyle filled with designer attire and high-status relationships, all in a bid to seamlessly blend into the upper echelons of society. His desperate longing to fit in reflects a deeper commentary on the superficial nature of success.
Two decades after its release, American Psycho continues to resonate, bolstered by an outstanding supporting cast that includes Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Chloë Sevigny, Justin Theroux, and Reese Witherspoon. This film, directed by Mary Harron, is an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s iconic novel published in 1991.
The Infamous Sequel: American Psycho 2
Just two years after American Psycho, a mediocre thriller titled The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die surfaced, featuring Mila Kunis as Rachael, a deranged student willing to eliminate anyone standing in her way to become her criminology professor’s assistant (played by William Shatner). Initially, this film seemed destined for obscurity, much like other low-budget horror flicks of the early 2000s, likely inspired by the Scream franchise.
However, Lionsgate producers had other ideas, deciding to convert The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die into a sequel to American Psycho. To achieve this connection, a clumsy scene was inserted where Rachael kills Patrick Bateman, portrayed by Michael Kremko. This forced linkage tarnished the legacy of the original character, which many felt was a disservice to the source material.
The cast expressed their dissatisfaction with this abrupt change in direction, resulting in American Psycho 2 being labeled as one of cinema’s worst sequels, receiving a dismal rating of 1.4 out of 5.
Mila Kunis later voiced her regret about the film in an interview with MTV News, admitting her horror at the final edit and expressing relief that it went directly to video. She revealed that the film deviated significantly from the script she initially agreed to, while Bret Easton Ellis openly criticized the sequel for its lack of authentic connection to his original work.
Notably, the sequel omits the sharp satire and critical lens on American culture that defined the first film. The biting commentary on capitalism and yuppie culture, central to the original narrative, is glaringly absent.
Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly negative, with one AlloCiné user stating, “This film manages to destroy the legacy of its predecessor in a matter of moments. It’s a total blasphemy and should be avoided at all costs.” Another reviewer echoed this sentiment, urging viewers to steer clear of this cinematic misstep, calling it “pathetic” with a script unworthy even of basic entertainment.
In conclusion, while the sequel to American Psycho has earned a reputation as a major flop, you can still watch it on Blu-ray and DVD if you wish to form your own opinion.