American Psycho’s Hidden Chainsaw Foreshadowing Most Fans Miss

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In my humble opinion, as a movie connoisseur, Christian Bale breathes life into the captivating character of Patrick Bateman in “ American Psycho“. This man is as arrogant and self-centered as he is brutal and heartless. He’s obsessed with maintaining his perfect image, even to the point of killing over a mere business card. One of his peculiarities includes an obsessive workout routine, where he performs countless crunches daily. A striking scene showcases this dedication, as he engages in an intense workout session, all while watching the 1974 classic, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre“.

This particular moment unfolds approximately 40 minutes into the film. It carries an unsettling yet amusing vibe, which reflects the overall mood of American Psycho. Instead of conventional music, Patrick Bateman opts for Sally Hardesty’s blood-curdling screams as background noise during his workout on his abs. This scene not only indicates that Bateman’s mental instability is growing more pronounced, but it also hints at the approaching violence and intensity in the movie’s subsequent scenes.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Makes a Cameo in American Psycho at a Key Moment

It’s crucial to understand the events leading up to when Patrick Bateman watches The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. At that time, he’s at his workplace, Pierce & Pierce, a Wall Street investment firm where he serves as a banker. A detective named Donald Kimball (played by Willem Dafoe) comes to see him regarding some matters (Jared Leto). Earlier in American Psycho, Patrick Bateman had gotten Paul Allen drunk, taken him back to his apartment, and brutally killed him with an ax while “Hip to Be Square” by Huey Lewis and the News played. What sparked this violent act? It was envy over Allen’s ostensibly superior business card.

Detective Kimball interrogates Bateman regarding Allen’s vanishing act. Throughout the inquiry, Bateman maintains his customary demeanor of amiable stoicism, but viewers can sense a growing unease in him as he grapples with the possibility that . If caught for murder and indicted, he could face criminal charges. Immediately following this tense exchange with the detective, the scene transitions to Bateman doing rapid-fire sit-ups before the TV screen. The film “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is playing, marking the movie’s conclusion. This shift in scenes subtly hints that perhaps Bateman remained physically active throughout the entire 83-minute duration of the Tobe Hooper-directed horror masterpiece.

In this particular scene, it’s evident that Detective Kimball’s conversation might have been particularly captivating for Detective Bateman, hinting at a potential turning point. This is a moment where Bateman seems to be abandoning his yuppie facade and revealing the dark, violent character hidden beneath. It’s important to note that every element of media that Bateman engages with, such as the ’80s albums he listens to (like Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, and Huey Lewis and the News) or the videos he watches, has been thoughtfully selected. He often talks about his favorite albums from these artists and returning rental tapes.

It seems plausible that Patrick Bateman intentionally picked “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” to watch during his workout, following his discussion with Detective Kimball. This movie rental choice suggests he didn’t shy away from violence after being questioned about Paul Allen’s murder, instead, he appears eager for more violent acts.

Patrick Bateman Trades His Ax For a Chainsaw

It’s quite intriguing to note that “American Psycho” and “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” though seemingly different at first glance, have some surprising similarities. Both stories depict ruthless killers with links to Ed Gein; Patrick Bateman casually mentions him during a dinner conversation with colleagues, while the character Leatherface from “Texas Chain Saw” is inspired by Gein’s life and crimes. Interestingly, both protagonists are also known for using chainsaws in their gruesome acts.

In the heart of the movie, Patrick Bateman seems to have found some inspiration from watching “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” Towards the climax of “American Psycho,” Bateman brandishes his own chainsaw. In a particular scene, he invites a sex worker, whom he calls Christie (portrayed by Cara Seymour), for an exhilarating night. This time, they visit Paul Allen’s residence, which Christie remarks as being more lavish than his usual apartment. However, the evening spirals out of control when Bateman brutally assaults another sex worker hidden beneath the bedding. Blood stains his mouth, suggesting that he might have bitten her. Christie becomes terrified and dashes through Paul Allen’s abode, discovering corpses hanging in the closet. She frantically seeks help by pounding on neighbors’ doors before making a hasty retreat down the stairs.

At this very instant, Patrick Bateman demonstrates his ruthless nature. He bursts out of Paul Allen’s apartment, completely nude and drenched in blood, brandishing a chainsaw. Perched on the staircase, he carefully times his move, ensuring that the chainsaw slips and strikes Christie. In the end, a deafening scream echoes from him, a sound reminiscent of Sally Hardesty’s infamous yell.

In the current stage of “American Psycho”, Patrick Bateman has wholeheartedly accepted the violent aspect of his personality. Regrettably, Christie was unable to escape this fate, finding herself entangled in Bateman’s dark desires. It seems plausible that he may have overstepped the boundaries of fascination with “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”, as a chainsaw prepared for use was discovered in Paul Allen’s residence. One might wonder, what other reason could justify such a readiness?

Leatherface and Patrick Bateman Are Different Classes of Evil

The viewing of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” by Patrick Bateman implies more than mere premonition. This iconic horror film reveals significant insights into his personality. Despite his affluent lifestyle and high-end possessions, there’s a hidden desire within him to embody Leatherface, surrendering to his darker nature. While Leatherface resides in a rundown house in rural Texas, contrasting sharply with Bateman’s luxurious Upper Manhattan apartment and Valentino suits, they both share a commonality: an inner struggle between their civilized facade and their darker selves. Leatherface embodies the rugged simplicity of a country boy, whereas Bateman represents the urban yuppie. Yet, Leatherface lacks the ability to blend in with refined society, while Bateman skillfully conceals his true nature.

It’s clear that Patrick Bateman and Leatherface are not your typical individuals, but they do share some striking similarities. Both lack empathy or regret, much like how Leatherface conceals his humanity behind a physical mask, Patrick Bateman masks himself with wealth and social standing, revealing only a cold-hearted killer beneath the facade.

It’s intriguing to notice that The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is mentioned in American Psycho. Despite their distinct differences, there are hints of similarity between the main characters. Instead of playing Huey Lewis and the News or Phil Collins while working out, it’s suggested that Patrick Bateman opted to watch The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. This film viewing marks a turning point in Bateman’s character, leading him into a spiral of sexual sadism and murder. This scene implies that Bateman has given up his struggle against his violent impulses. Despite being a suspect in Paul Allen’s murder, Bateman’s bloodlust seems to have spiraled out of control.

Anticipation builds among fans of “American Psycho” as they wonder if the upcoming adaptation will include a nod to “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” The iconic chainsaw scene descending the staircase is what many fans are hoping to see revisited. With Patrick Bateman and Leatherface still resonating powerfully in pop culture, it promises an intriguing crossover if they share the screen one day.

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2025-05-09 00:59