5 Ways Patrick Bateman is Different in the American Psycho Novel

Patrick Bateman has remained a cult classic serial killer for horror fans. Due to his personality and his insane kills, it makes sense why fans value such a horror icon!

While Christian Bale did a good job portraying the crazed villain, there is a quite a number of differences when it comes to the version of Patrick Bateman in the novel.

The horror novel was written by Bret Easton Ellis that became a controversial book to read, and was banned due to the violent content. Bateman is definitely on a much different level of insanity when it comes to the book, but his character is still entertaining in his own way!

1. Patrick Bateman Has a Bigger Obsession with Music

Patrick Bateman definitely can’t shake his love of music in the book. There are two chapters dedicated to Bateman going on and on about the history of his favorite musicians.

I have read this novel about three times, and I sometimes skip over these chapters in the book.

The writing is great, I just think these were the only scenes that were a bit unnecessary in the novel.

At least the movie had its own fun way of introducing Bateman’s love of music when he started dancing for a bit when he was about to kill his co — worker with an axe!

2. Patrick is Ten Times More Sadistic in the Book When it Comes to His Murders

Patrick is on a whole different level in the novel when it comes to his murder spree. Patrick pretty much sees anyone in the novel as free game. He will kill anyone that he feels like torturing to death.

One murder that was unexpected and insane to read was a woman named Bethany. They knew each other in college, and he decided to invite her back to his apartment.

It did not end well.

I won’t say how he tortured her, but let’s just say a rat is involved.

I’ll let your imagination do the rest.

3. Patrick Bateman Killed a Kid and Freaked Out

In the novel, Patrick Bateman actually kills a kid.

He decided to grab a random little kid and kill him in the zoo. He leaves the body for the mother to find, and she loses her mind. What surprised me, was that Bateman sort of had his own breakdown for murdering a child.

Bateman pretty much vowed to never go after a kid again. It’s crazy with how insane Bateman is, you would think he wouldn’t feel bad. I guess Bateman does some sort of a heart, I guess.

4. Patrick Has More ‘Romantic Interactions’ with his Secretary Jean

Patrick and Jean sound like soulmates in the novel.

Jean is Patrick’s secretary in both the book and novel, and he makes it so obvious that he does care for her. It’s weird watching or reading Bateman’s moments with her. I think it was due to the fact that she was actually a nice person with a good heart.

She wasn’t like his rich girlfriend or his rich annoying friends; Jean was her own person that appeared to be a happy individual.

In the novel, Patrick finds himself wondering how it would be like to fall in love with someone like her. Patrick pictures himself having romantic moments with Jean, but even he knows better to get involved with her.

He expresses his fear that one day he will harm her, and this scares Bateman. This is another aspect to his character that really surprised me in the book. Patrick really does have a heart…for Jean at least.

5. Patrick Hangs with His Rich Friends a Lot More, and He Really Shows His Hatred of Them All the Time

Patrick really does not like his friends in the novel. He really sees himself above all of them, and I’m sure that he does, since he is a freaking killer.

Patrick expresses his dislike of them in multiple scenes in his mind, as he addresses their rich attitudes.

He makes fun of his girlfriend a lot, he shows jealousy to his friends whenever they get a huge opportunity where they work or when they experience something good.

I don’t understand why Patrick hangs with this group.

I know that deep down, he hangs with his ‘friends,’ because he feels superior to everyone else. Since he is a rich dude himself, Patrick could care less about everyone else.

Patrick is honestly an insufferable dude that is irritating as hell!

American Psycho is a great book, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. It’s a pretty extreme read, and the kills are pretty damn graphic. Viewer discretion is advised for anyone interested in reading the novel!

You have been warned!

Thank you for reading!

Emy Quinn