The 2000 film American Psycho is a dark satire of 1980s materialism and excess. It stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy Wall Street investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer. The film follows Bateman as he navigates the corporate, consumerist, and superficial world of the upper-class while dealing with his own mental illness and violent urges.
The film is based on the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis and was directed by Mary Harron. The film was controversial upon its release due to its graphic violence and themes of misogyny and sociopathy. Despite the controversy, the film was well-received by critics, and is now considered to be a cult classic.
The film is set in New York City and follows Patrick Bateman, a successful investment banker who lives a life of luxury and excess. Despite his success and wealth, he is inwardly hollow and empty. He is obsessed with his own physical appearance and with the status symbols of the wealthy. When he’s not working or partying, he spends his time obsessing over trivial things and engaging in violent fantasies.
As the film progresses, Bateman’s mental state deteriorates and he begins to act out his violent fantasies. He murders people he perceives as socially inferior, and even some of his colleagues. His crimes become increasingly more violent and depraved, and he begins to lose control of his own life.
American Psycho is a dark and disturbing look at the culture of materialism and excess of the 1980s. It is a powerful and thought-provoking film that examines the dark side of the human psyche. While the violence and gore may be off-putting to some viewers, the underlying themes and message of the film make it an essential viewing experience.
Here are seven best Horror Thriller Movies Like American Psycho
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1. Nightcrawler (2014)
Nightcrawler is a 2014 American crime drama film written and directed by Dan Gilroy. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis Bloom, a stringer who records violent events late at night in Los Angeles and sells the footage to a local television news station. Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Paxton also star.
The film follows Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the world of Los Angeles crime journalism. Bloom strives to become the best reporter he can, often blurring the line between observer and participant. He goes to great lengths to get the footage he needs, and soon finds himself in a dangerous situation.
The film was praised by critics for its direction, screenplay, performances, and cinematography. It was a financial success, grossing over $50 million against a budget of $8.5 million. Nightcrawler earned several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
2. Joker (2019)
Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver. The film, based on DC Comics characters, stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker. Set in 1981, the story follows Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian who is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film of 2019 and the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. It received numerous accolades, including eleven nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Phoenix, and Best Adapted Screenplay, winning two for Best Actor and Best Original Score.
Joker received praise for its screenplay, direction, performances (particularly Phoenix’s), cinematography, musical score, and production values.
3. Black Swan (2010)
Black Swan is a 2010 psychological thriller film directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, and Mila Kunis. The film follows Nina (Portman), a young and talented ballerina, who is desperate to be cast as the lead in the prestigious production of Swan Lake. As she begins to unravel from the pressure and stress of trying to perfect her performance, she also begins to experience a strange transformation, as her inner darkness begins to take over.
The film is a masterful blend of psychological horror and ballet, as the two genres are intertwined to create a complex, mesmerizing narrative. The choreography is extraordinary, and the cinematography is breathtaking. The score, composed by Clint Mansell, is haunting and helps to further emphasize the film’s dark and disturbing themes.
The performances are also top-notch, with Portman delivering an Oscar-winning performance as Nina. Her transformation from a timid and insecure young woman to a confident and powerful dancer is incredible to watch. Cassel and Kunis also turn in strong performances as Nina’s mentors and rivals.
Black Swan is an exceptional film, and one of Aronofsky’s best. It is thrilling, suspenseful, and haunting, and is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Highly recommended.
4. Mr. Brooks (2007)
Mr. Brooks is a 2007 crime-thriller film directed by Bruce A. Evans and starring Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, and William Hurt. The film follows Earl Brooks (Costner), a wealthy businessman who is secretly a serial killer.
The film begins with Earl Brooks attending a banquet in his honor as the “Man of the Year.” As he begins to accept his award, he is interrupted by a voice in his head – his dark alter-ego, Marshall (William Hurt). Marshall has been with Earl for years, and he’s been pushing Earl to take up the mantle of a serial killer once more.
Earl reluctantly agrees and soon finds himself caught up in the middle of a murder investigation. He is being tracked by Detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore), a determined cop who is determined to catch the killer. As the investigation continues, Earl and Marshall must work together to stay one step ahead of the law.
5. Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver is a 1976 American psychological thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Paul Schrader, and starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle, and Albert Brooks. Set in a decaying New York City following the Vietnam War, the film follows Travis Bickle (De Niro), a lonely and mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who works as a taxi driver to cope with his chronic insomnia.
The film follows Travis’s descent into insanity as he plots to assassinate a presidential candidate and rescues a young prostitute played by Foster. Taxi Driver was released to critical acclaim and is often named one of the greatest films of all time. It won the Palme d’Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival and received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor for De Niro, and Best Supporting Actress for Foster. The film was also included in the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 greatest American movies of all time.
Taxi Driver is often cited as a crucial representation of the psychological effects of the Vietnam War and is noted for its exploration of alienation, violence, and loneliness in the post-Vietnam era. The film has become a cultural touchstone and has been referenced in numerous other films, television shows, and books. Its influence can also be seen in other genres, such as horror and gangster films.
6. Mysterious Skin (2005)
Mysterious Skin is a 2005 drama film written and directed by Gregg Araki, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet and Elisabeth Shue. The film is based on Scott Heim’s novel of the same name and revolves around two teenagers, Neil (Gordon-Levitt) and Brian (Corbet), who have both experienced a traumatic event in their childhoods. Neil is a hustler and sex worker, while Brian is a naive and seemingly innocent young man on the brink of adulthood.
The film follows the two men as they explore their pasts and come to terms with the trauma of their childhoods. Neil remembers being abducted by an unknown person as a young boy, while Brian is haunted by memories of a strange man coming to his bedroom window. Both of them are searching for closure and answers, but their paths are different. Neil is determined to find his abductor, while Brian is trying to understand what happened to him.
7. Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Seven Psychopaths is a 2012 black comedy film written and directed by Martin McDonagh. It stars Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, Tom Waits, and Abbie Cornish.
The film follows Marty (Farrell), a struggling screenwriter who becomes entangled in a web of craziness when his friends, Billy (Rockwell) and Hans (Walken), kidnap a gangster’s beloved Shih Tzu. The film is a darkly comedic take on the classic crime caper, as Marty finds himself in more trouble than he ever could have imagined.
The film takes some sharp turns, as Marty and his pals stumble through a series of misadventures while being pursued by the mob. The movie features some of the best dialogue in recent memory, as Marty and his pals banter back and forth in some of the funniest conversations imaginable.
Seven Psychopaths is a smart, witty film that will make you laugh, but also has an underlying theme of violence and brutality that serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of our actions. The film also features some great performances from its ensemble cast, particularly from Rockwell and Walken.
Seven Psychopaths is a film that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll, as it is a unique blend of crime and comedy that is sure to please. It is an entertaining, thought-provoking film that is sure to become a cult classic.
