The speculation surrounding who will portray Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino and Scot Z. Burns’s adaptation of American Psycho is only natural; however, many overlook a crucial aspect of the character’s societal context.
Variety recently put together a compilation of actors they believe would be suitable for the role of Bateman. The list featured a diverse selection of both women and actors of color. Nonetheless, as long as Guadagnino and Burns maintain the original narrative’s setting and tone, opting for a gender-swapped or racially diverse casting choice for Patrick Bateman may not be feasible, given that Bateman’s malevolence is intrinsically linked to his identity as a white cisgender man.
Set against the backdrop of the 1980s Wall Street boom as depicted in the novel, Mary Harron’s film, and the musical, Bateman is able to evade serious repercussions for his actions (assuming his killings are real) because the individuals in his life overlook the signs he displays, primarily due to his race and gender. His position within a patriarchal structure affords him a unique way of navigating the world. He can make statements about his interest in “murders and executions,”and others interpret them as they choose, disregarding any imminent threat.
It is Bateman’s racial and gender identity that propels his career success. Had he not been a straight white male during this era, it is highly unlikely he would have escaped accountability for his actions. This misunderstanding reflects the conceptual gap in many fan casting discussions surrounding Patrick Bateman.
He’s not merely a serial killer; he symbolizes privilege
There seems to be a misconception regarding characters like Patrick Bateman. Some argue that a woman could effectively fill this role. This notion has already been tried with American Psycho 2, where the outcome fell flat because Bateman embodies more than just a stereotypical killer; he represents a societal framework that elevates white men above all others.
However, if Guadagnino and Burns opted to modernize the context and portray the contemporary dynamics of society, I could potentially see a non-white and/or non-male version of Patrick being compelling. But in presenting American Psycho as a story true to its origins, Bateman’s race and male privilege are fundamental aspects of his character and the means by which he commits his atrocious acts.
This mirrors my stance on James Bond as well. The character of Bond necessitates being male due to the nature of his role as a 00 agent. A female character would not be able to navigate his world in the same manner, unless that dissonance is a key theme of the franchise. Real-world figures like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer demonstrate how white male privilege has often served them well, and the same reasoning applies to the fictional Patrick Bateman.
In the case of Patrick Bateman, his elevated status within the privilege hierarchy permits him to disregard others’ lives, engage in violent acts without guilt, and embody the monster he represents. At times, casting a white male is essential, particularly for a character like Patrick Bateman.
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