Patrick Bateman is monstrous. He’s the white collar, white privilege, Ivy League, misogynist, serial killer from Bret Easton Ellis’ book, American Psycho. It was written a few years after the 1987 Wall Street crash and the greed-is-good decade that birthed the ‘yuppie’: affluent young professionals who splash their cash on status-chasing cars, clothes and watches. You know the type: always having to be seen in the right places, with the right people.
The 27 year old has a healthy bank balance and leaves a hefty body count. His homicidal hatred of his rival, Paul Allen, is driven by trivialities, such as Allen’s thicker ‘off-white’ business card. Patrick Bateman is vile, he’s disturbed, he commits unspeakable crimes.
Patrick Bateman deserves to be cancelled, even the author killed him off in a later novel. So, why are we still interested? Part of the fascination with Bateman comes from Christian Bale’s note perfect performance of the wealthy murderer in the star studded film adaptation. With more than a tinge of black humour, and omitting the most depraved scene from the book, Bale’s Bateman is a marginal notch above the irredeemable print character.
Bateman is an empty vessel and lacks taste, so he borrows his identity from aspirational magazines; the honed Men’s Health physique, the luxury Italian suits from the pages of GQ and Esquire, the Manhattan apartment peppered with the Architectural Digest approved items, the Mies van der Rohe chairs, the Paolo Piva coffee table and the MoMA art work. His Instagram feed, if he had one, would be full of the shiny things – whisper it – that we secretly want too.
While Bateman represents the dark side of our consumer culture, in Bale we got to see the modern man’s grooming routine represented on the big screen; from his spa mani-pedi, to his peel off face mask and his ‘salon’ tan (Paul Allen had a home tanning bed, naturally). What’s mainstream now was lot more exotic back then. And for that, Patrick Bateman gave men everywhere the permission for unapologetic self-betterment, if we just gloss over the awkward, narcissistic sociopath part.
“I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine.” Patrick Bateman
If he were a real person, and in many ways, Patrick Bateman does exist, he’d be the first to brag about his lunch-hour face lift, his dental implants, his vitamin drips, his hardcore detox retreat and his Coolsculpted abs.
Patrick Bateman’s 10-Step Grooming Routine Updated
Forget the Koreans, Bateman was already boasting a 10-step skin care routine back in the early 1990s:
“In the morning if my face is a little puffy, I’ll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1,000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water-activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub.
“Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask, which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an aftershave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturiser, then an anti-ageing eye balm followed by a final moisturising protective lotion.”
He neatly regurgitates the wisdom of a lifetime of grooming articles, so, we know the joke is partly on us. Yet it still begs the question, and yes, we will ask the question: just what would Patrick Bateman use on his face and body today?
Step 1.
YA-MAN Medi Lift Eye
“In the morning if my face is a little puffy, I’ll put on an ice pack”
In the film, Patrick Bateman takes a wraparound eye pack straight from the steel refrigerator in his industrial kitchen – the height of Y2K cool. Today, he’d be all over the YA-MAN Medi Lift Eye – a rejuvenating eye mask from Japan that uses electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to shock the slack eye area into firmer touch.
Keeping certain products in the fridge is still a worthwhile hack, so leave at least one SOS under-eye treatment to chill, and feel the benefit on those sluggish, hungover mornings.
Step 2.
Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner
“After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion”
Bateman’s commitment to maintaining a clear complexion would be best served by Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner. He would appreciate the gentle exfoliating niacinamide in this alcohol-free solution, which minimises enlarged pores and balances oily areas, while adding lightweight hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid.
Step 3.
Saunders & Long Moisturising Body Wash
“In the shower I use a water-activated gel cleanser”
In this scene, he reaches for a discontinued Yves Saint Laurent Pour Homme shower gel. These days, he’d use Saunders & Long Moisturising Body Wash, because it has a scent composed by a French perfumer and a glycerin-based formula that helps keep the skin soft.
Step 4.
Aesop Redemption Body Scrub
“Then a honey almond body scrub”
In the shower stall, he grabs a L’Occitane bottle, but today he’d prefer Aesop’s Redemption Body Scrub. A salve for his troubled conscience? Hardly. He’s beyond redemption, but not beyond a good buff with Aesop’s finest exfoliator. Thick, paste-style scrubs often work better when applied to dry skin first, so put this on just before getting into the shower and then massage to rinse off.
Step 5.
Patricks FS1 Volcanic Sand and Crushed Diamond Face Scrub
“On the face an exfoliating gel scrub”
He’s so vain, he probably thinks this product is about him. Patricks FS1 Volcanic Sand and Crushed Diamond Face Scrub contains powdered diamonds, which has obvious appeal for those who like the finer things in life. It works to expertly refine the skin texture and reduce ingrown hairs, while multivitamins, AHA and anti-ageing peptides rejuvenate the skin cells and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Step 6.
111Skin Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Treatment Mask
“Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask”
Sheet masks have always had a whiff of Michael Myers from the Halloween slasher franchise about them. As a chainsaw wielding maniac who’s all over the latest skin care trends, Bateman would surely appreciate these slightly creepy but convenient face treats that perk up a flagging visage.
The Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Treatment Mask from 111Skin is as dark as his soul. ‘Herb-mint’ sounds positively basic, whereas this mask contains advanced active ingredients. Divided into three sections, the upper mask is formulated with glycopeptides to target frown lines, the lower mask is full of collagen to plump up the cheeks, lips and chin and the neck mask uses a biomimetic peptide to help firm and sculpt the jowl area.
Step 7.
Acqua Di Parma Refreshing After Shave Emulsion
“I always use an aftershave lotion with little or no alcohol”
He’s absolutely right about alcohol drying out the skin, so he would get along well with Acqua Di Parma’s Refreshing After Shave Emulsion: a lightweight, fresh feeling, glycerin-based hydrator to help repair the skin after shaving.
Step 8.
Tom Ford Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer
“Then moisturiser”
Here we get a glimpse of Bateman’s well-stocked bathroom cabinet, which includes plenty of recognisable high-end grooming brands. So he’s sure to love Tom Ford’s collection. The designer’s Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer will complement Bateman’s pore-perfecting goals while keeping his skin matte during those ‘stressful’ moments.
Step 9.
La Mer Eye Balm Intense
“Then anti-ageing eye balm”
Patrick Bateman is a details man. You have to be when you’re planning to kill someone and get away with it. And for that, we just know he’d get along with one of those fiddly applicators that come with some luxury eye creams. The anti-ageing Eye Balm Intense from La Mer comes with a cooling silver-tipped stick (that should be stored in fridge) to increase micro-circulation, smooth out fine lines, puffiness and signs of fatigue.
Step 10.
Beyl Clima-Adaptive Anti-Pollution Moisturiser
“Followed by a final moisturising protective lotion”
In the smoggy Manhattan air, his skin would benefit from a smart formula that offers an SPF or environmental filters. The Clima-Adaptive Anti-Pollution Moisturiser for Men from Beyl contains Vitamin C and micro-algae to screen out the blue light that’s emitted from all the screens he’d now be using.
Extra Steps
We can’t help thinking his daily personal care routine wouldn’t end there. Imagine the shampoos, the styling products, the tools, the supplements. He’d probably use a tinted BB cream or a light foundation to even out any redness, followed by a light touch bronzer. He’d tidy his brows with a gel comb or pencil, dab on a bit of under eye concealer, maybe add a slick of lip balm.
Patrick Bateman is so good at looking his best, worst self, that we may even shamelessly revisit his grooming routine in the future.
FAQs
What was Patrick Bateman skincare routine? ›
“In the shower I use first a water-activated gel cleanser, then a honey-almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub.” Lastly is using an exfoliating gel scrub for the face and one of the best products for men out there is this deep cleansing scrub from Shiseido MEN.
What does Patrick Bateman use for his hair? ›I've used Nioxin shampoo for years. I also use the Clinique Men's shave gel, it's the least irritating. I've had really sensitive skin for ten to twelve years now. I use KMS molding paste in my hair.
What toothbrush does Patrick Bateman? ›PATRICK BATEMAN says:
Then I squeeze Rembrandt onto a faux-tortoiseshell toothbrush and start brushing my teeth (too hungover to floss properly, but maybe I flossed before bed last night) and rinse with Listerine.”
Bateman is a stockbroker at Pierce & Pierce, but does little actual work, instead spending his time going to trendy restaurants, bars and clubs, using cocaine and picking up prostitutes—many of whom end up being his victims.
What mental illness does Patrick Bateman? ›The main character, Patrick Bateman, is glamorously portrayed as a wealthy, standoffish killer suspected to have antisocial personality disorder and possibly dissociative identity disorder, while all of the other characters are depicted as “normal” friends and coworkers.
What gel did Patrick Bateman use? ›Bateman knew that using a gel mask like Ursa Major Bright & Easy 3-Minute Flash Mask would reduce inflammation, razor burn, and shaving bumps by dissolving dead skin cells and improving your complexion.
What is the American Psycho haircut called? ›The slickback is without a doubt the most iconic Wall Street haircut ever worn. Patrick Bateman was the first to unleash it on an unsuspecting world, and Jordan Belfort brought it to a new generation of aspiring bankers and financiers.
What is Patrick Bateman shower routine? ›In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine.
What does Patrick Bateman use in the shower? ›“In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub.” Type in 'water activated gel cleanser' on Google and you will see the results are predominantly quotes from the movie, or guides breaking down his skincare regime (much like this post).
What is Patrick Bateman's type? ›Which personality type is Patrick Bateman? Patrick Bateman is an unhealthy ENTJ personality type. He is determined to get what he wants and will step over anyone who gets in his way. Healthy ENTJs aim to achieve their goals in an ethical way, but for unhealthy ENTJs, morals go out of the window.
What is Patrick Bateman's favorite band? ›
In the book American Psycho, Bateman's favorite artists are Whitney Houston, Huey Lewis and the News, and Genesis — specifically the version of the band led by Phil Collins. While Bateman loves these acts, his love comes across like criticism on Ellis' part.
What brand does Patrick Bateman wear? ›Director Mary Harron's 2000 film version of the book solidified Bateman (played by Christian Bale) as a super creep. And the finer details, like his Armani suits and Rolex Datejust 16013, just made this character even more frightening – a wolf dressed in watches that, frankly, we would also like to wear.
Is Dorsia real? ›American Psycho protagonist could never get was a reservation at fictional restaurant Dorsia.
Who kills Patrick Bateman? ›Non-canon. Patrick's dead body. In the non-canon sequel to the movie American Psycho 2, Rachel Newman killed Bateman when she was 12 after he had attacked and killed her babysitter. Chelsea gave him the Dull Machete because it was disrespectful to the iconic Character.
Is Dorsia from American Psycho a real place? ›It includes the Harvard and Yale Clubs and the Four Seasons but also long gone hotspots of yore like Nell's, Texarkana, Tunnel, Arcadia, and Arizona 206. Don't look for Dorsia, though. That restaurant was fictional.
Was it all in his head American Psycho? ›It makes it look like it was all in his head, and as far as I'm concerned, it's not." The bottom line: while it's clear some things that happen in the film are in Bateman's head (like the Feed Me a Stray Cat scene), the murders actually happened.
Is American Psycho a banned book? ›In the United States, the book was named the 53rd most banned and challenged book from 1990-1999 by the American Library Association. In Germany, the book was deemed "harmful to minors" and its sales and marketing severely restricted from 1995 to 2000.
What is Patrick Star disability? ›Given Patrick's dim-witted nature and inability to perform simple tasks, he has been labeled as the representation of intellectual disability, while Sandy has BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder).
Why does Patrick Bateman put ice on his face? ›The reason behind the ice pack according to Bateman is to alleviate swelling from sleep irritation which causes one's face to become "puffy." Further analysis would suggest that the ice pack also represents a mask for Bateman between his external representation of Wall Street normality and his true internal feelings.
What caused Patrick Bateman to go crazy? ›TL;DR: Patrick Bateman has a mental disorder caused by lifelong conflict-of-interests with his father. He doesn't actually kill anyone in the film; all the murders take place in his sleep, but they're vivid enough dreams that he can't separate them from reality.
What coat does Patrick Bateman wear? ›
In most memorable scenes, Patrick Bateman wears charcoal chalk stripe double-breasted suit. But he also wears grey wool suit in the office, to lunch at the club with the friends, to an afternoon assignation, and a more sinister evening.
What is a Deathhawk haircut? ›deathhawk (plural deathhawks) A mohawk hairstyle with voluminous teased or backcombed hair, common in the deathrock subculture.
What is a jail haircut? ›Haircuts in jail are supposed to be a “one-guard” buzz cut against the grain, but I'll ask the guys how they want theirs done.
What is a Mad Men haircut called? ›What Is The Don Draper Mad Men Haircut? The Don Draper Man Men haircut is a slicked side part combover. Kept short on the back & sides with enough length on top to sweep over cleanly.
Is Patrick Bateman a psychopath or a sociopath? ›Throughout the novel, Patrick Bateman exhibits many characterisitcs that lead him to being categorized as a Sociopath. For example, Bateman is known to have a lack of empathy for others around him.
What is a water activated gel? ›“In the shower, I use a water-activated gel cleanser. “ It's an innovative cleanser that's activated by water to remove impurities whilst providing skin with an essential boost of hydration. It will make your skin feel refreshed, clean, and supple.
What is Patrick Bateman's Zodiac? ›Patrick Bateman is a Libra. of course he is!
Is Bateman a schizophrenic? ›The proper DSM-IV classification for Patrick Bateman is antisocial personality disorder, but that doesn't sound as punchy as American Psycho, hence the chosen title.
What suit does Bateman wear? ›Bateman was a fan of pinstripe Valentino suits, but this navy blue wool option from Armani Collezioni is superb- featuring notched lapels, a button fastening, a broad welt chest pocket, flap pockets, long sleeves and button cuffs.
Why does Patrick say he has to return videotapes? ›“I have to return some videotapes.”
Perhaps the book's most iconic line, antihero Patrick Bateman repeatedly says he needs to return some videotapes to the store; it demonstrates how monotonous his life is, as well as the extent to which his identity is utterly defined by material possessions.
What is the painting in Patrick Bateman's apartment? ›
Longo's “Men in the Cities” continues to be an iconic touchstone, showing up in Patrick Bateman's apartment in Mary Harron's film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel American Psycho.
What is Bateman's first name? ›Jason Kent Bateman (born January 14, 1969) is an American actor, director and producer known for his roles of Michael Bluth in the Fox/Netflix sitcom Arrested Development and of Marty Byrde in the Netflix crime drama series Ozark (2017–2022).
How do I dress like Patrick Bateman? ›To become the creepy Patrick Bateman you will need a Pinstripe Suit, Two-Toned Dress Shirt, Jacquard Necktie, Men's Oxford Shoe, Two Tones Watch, Clear Raincoat, Fake Blood, and Foam Axe.
What Rolex does Patrick Bateman wear? ›Bateman wears a Rolex Datejust Two-Tone 36mm watch which was first released in the 1980s, featuring a jubilee bracelet and distinctive tapestry detail. The dial is encircled by a beautiful gold fluted bezel that adds to the dressy feel of this famous timepiece.
What sneakers did Patrick Bateman wear? ›Damn, Patrick Bateman is one of my favourite movie characters ever: I love American Psycho. If it were today, he would be wearing running shoes like Nike's Zoom Vaporfly as they're best for chasing people with a chainsaw. But if he stuck to the look in the movie, definitely the Nike Air Monarch IV.
What is Dorsia supposed to be? ›Dorsia is the next progression of immature childhood fantasies about the almost unattainable mythical place. It is akin to the Garden of Eden or Never Never Land to a kid.
What does Dorsia mean? ›n. someone who is a coward.
Was American Psycho real or a dream? ›Some people think it was all a fantasy. But Guinevere Turner, who co-wrote the film with director Mary Harron, says they worked hard to avoid any “it was all a dream” interpretations.
Do Patrick and Jean get married? ›Bateman is in psychotherapy with Dr M. He is also married to Jean, his former secretary. They have a son, Patrick Bateman Jr. (P.B.), who is eight years old. In the story, Bateman talks about therapy, trying to get a divorce from Jean, his renewed feelings about murder, and idolizing his son.
Will there be American Psycho 3? ›Since American Psycho and its sequel are indirectly linked, many are wondering if there is a third installment to the franchise. Unlike the Psycho series, American Psycho 2 flopped hard enough that there is no American Psycho 3.
Why did Patrick spare Jean? ›
When Jean comes to his apartment, he realizes she's not affected by any psychopathy. He also realizes that he has lost his personal agency. He sees her as moral, and tries to get her out before his psychopathic drive kills someone innocent.
What would Patrick Bateman eat? ›In fact, they're usually too drunk or knocked out on Xanax to actually enjoy a meal; instead, they poke at grotesque creations—pasta with fennel and banana, peanut butter soup with smoked duck and mashed squash—while reciting lines cribbed from Gourmet and New York magazine (that peanut butter soup is a “playful but ...
Is Bateman actually Davis? ›Bateman is called by no less than four other names: Davis, Mccoy, Allen and Halberstram, which calls into question his true identity. When he confronts Carnes at the end of the movie, Carnes refers to him as Davis and says that his joke was flawed because “Bateman is such a dork, such a boring spineless light-weight.”
Was the dog in American Psycho real? ›The perpetrator stabs the man and stomps his dog. This scene was shot in cuts and the live dog was used to establish the shot and then replaced with a fake for the stomping action. Patrick's girlfriend has a very posh Christmas party and shows off her pampered piglet.
What is the 20 20 20 morning routine? ›What is the 20/20/20 rule? The 20/20/20 formula says you must wake up early in the morning and divide your given one hour in the following order; 20 minutes move, 20 minutes reflect and 20 minutes grow.
What is the 5am club morning routine? ›When my coworkers told me about the “5 a.m. club” a few years ago, I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. The idea was this: You wake up an hour before your spouse and your kids and use that distraction-free time to focus on your personal well-being, with a mix of exercise, meditation and reading or learning.
What is the most successful morning routine? ›- Sweat. ...
- Practice gratitude. ...
- Rise with the sun (or even before it) ...
- Read a book. ...
- Journal. ...
- Drink water. ...
- Eat a real breakfast. ...
- Make a to-do list. Planning out the day and making a list of what needs to be done can help prepare your mind for the day ahead.
It makes it look like it was all in his head, and as far as I'm concerned, it's not." The bottom line: while it's clear some things that happen in the film are in Bateman's head (like the Feed Me a Stray Cat scene), the murders actually happened.
What was Patrick Bateman's IQ? ›Patrick Bateman [IQ: 125]
He seems to use serial killing as a form of self-improvement and while he is one of the more unstable entries on this list (see his reaction to a colleague's superior business card for example) he is also one of the more successful and intelligent.
Patrick Bateman : "When I see a pretty girl walking down the street, I think two things. One part wants me to take her out, talk to her, be real nice and sweet and treat her right." David Van Patten : And what did the other part think? Patrick Bateman : "What her head would look like on a stick... "