Mary Harron's black comedy slasher American Psycho is one of the greatest movies to come out of the 2000s. Adapted from Bret Easton Elli's 1991 novel of the same name, it satirizes toxic masculinity among business men and the social elites. While it boasts an incredible cast, we have a few ideas on who could portray these iconic characters in 2021.
When American Psycho released in 2000, it followed in the popularity of a fellow satirical take on toxic masculinity, Fight Club. These two movies in particular often get mistaken for glorifying the violence enacted by men or tend to be misinterpreted in favor of their vile characters rather than recognizing what their destruction symbolizes. Patrick Bateman, famously portrayed by method actor Christian Bale, is a New York investment banker. Set in 1987, the highly-stylized horror movie captures the competitive nature of business men in New York City whose primary aim is to make the most money, have the most attractive significant other, and the most tasteful business card. As Bateman practices casual conversational phrases, listens to Huey Lewis, and quotes Edmund Kemper - not serial killer Ed Gein like he says the line comes from - he murders anyone who stands in his way just to sate the need to act out his darkest desires.
True crime and serial killers are immensely popular, especially in recent years with podcasts coming out on almost a monthly basis that report on some of history's most nefarious characters. In particular, Patrick Bateman has stood the test of time as one of the most popular fictionalized serial killers in movie history, but a remake was rumored in 2020. The announcement was controversial due to the close proximity to the release of the iconic 2000 horror classic and how it could take the character's name away from Bale, who largely made him who he is. If there is a remake of American Psycho in the near future, we have a few ideas for who could properly portray Bateman as well as other primary characters.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen As Patrick Bateman
If Patrick Bateman were cast in 2021, Oliver Jackson-Cohen would be the perfect pick to portray the sadistic killer. He has an impressive filmography that includes several works of horror such as Mike Flanagan's The Haunting Of Hill House and The Haunting Of Bly Manor as well as Blumhouse Productions' The Invisible Man. The actor has portrayed characters similar to Bateman in the past. For instance, Peter Quint of Bly Manor was notably manipulative and coerced people into doing whatever he wanted them to. On top of that, he nailed the haunting stare of a man with ill-intent. There are several instances in the series where Peter Quint's stare could burn holes in other characters. Jackson-Cohen took on the role of the famous Adrian Griffin as well — better known as the invisible man. He was the epitome of an abusive and horrific male presence in Whannell's update to the classic Universal movie. This is exactly what is needed for a character like Patrick Bateman and, obviously, the actor has nailed it in the past and could do it again in the future if given the opportunity.
Samara Weaving As Evelyn Richards
Evelyn Richards is the relatively naive fiancé of Patrick Bateman. She doesn't play an overly important role, but she is a key component in his ability to maintain appearances. Samara Weaving, known for her roles in The Babysitter, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, and Ready or Not, could be the perfect actor to portray Evelyn. She has mastered the ability to appear as an innocent bystander who knows more than she lets on. Weaving has also mastered navigating a toxic relationship, as seen in Ready or Not, which could play in her favor if she takes on the role of Evelyn Richards. She may be a minor character, but she could make a major impact just like Reese Witherspoon did in 2000.
Bill Skarsgård As Timothy Bryce
Bill Skarsgård would be the perfect Timothy Bryce. Originally played by Justin Theroux, Bryce is Bateman's business colleague who may epitomize toxic masculinity more than the he does, just without the killer aspect. He is a suave and debonair character who gets what he wants, when he wants it, and acts as a model of success.
Skarsgård may be known for his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in Andy Muschietti's IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two, but he also acted as the sadistic Roman Godfrey in Eli Roth's Hemlock Grove well before that. Roman was known for being pompous, entitled, and sadistic. While the actor could be another contender for Bateman, his stand-offish nature in Hemlock Grove as well as his business savvy attitude make him the ideal candidate for Timothy Bryce in a 2021 remake of American Psycho.
Jane Levy As Courtney Rawlinson
Courtney Rawlinson is having an affair with Patrick Bateman. Samantha Mathis took on the character in 2000 and added depth to a woman who wanted something more out of life than just a loveless marriage to a wealthy man. Jane Levy could be the ideal actor to take on the role. She is particularly well-known for her role in 2013's Evil Dead, but her role as Jackie Torrance - named after Jack Torrance from The Shining - in Hulu's Castle Rock season 1 offered insight into how she could act in a horror drama.
Notably, Jackie always desired more, which is exactly what Courtney wants. She expresses the desire to have a family and a few children, but she is denied her wants and suffers as a result. Levy could approach the character with an understanding of that deep passion for a fulfilling life while utilizing the emotionally charged performance she displayed in Evil Dead.
Evan Peters As Paul Allen
Jared Leto famously took on the role of Paul Allen, a man loathed by Patrick Bateman due to his incredible success that seems to surpass his own. While he appears as a somewhat minute character in the beginning, he becomes central to the plot as the movie progresses. Evan Peters would be the ideal actor to take on the role of Paul Allen in a remake. His ability to act in a range of circumstances as different characters makes him perfect for nearly any horror role, but Allen in particular seems like the perfect fit. He often forgets Bateman's name, acts as if he doesn't matter, and belittles him whether or not he truly realizes it. Peters' character, James March, in Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story: Hotel was notably pompous and dismissive towards other successful individuals and had to maintain his power over others. This is a component of Allen, but Evans has the upper hand as he can bring in his classic boyish charms which Leto utilized in his own portrayal of the character.
Michael K. Williams As Detective Donald Kimball
It may be difficult to find someone to replace any character Willem Dafoe has portrayed throughout his career, but it's not impossible. Michael K. Williams has such an incredible filmography with roles that span throughout dozens of genres that it makes him the most ideal candidate to take on Detective Donald Kimball, the man who's hunting Bateman. The role isn't considered huge in comparison to Bateman's, but it is important because it plays a key role in revealing the truth behind his crimes. With the determination that Williams has brought to his serious roles as well as his horror characters, it makes him the perfect Detective Donald Kimball in 2021. While an American Psycho remake is still relatively unknown, it is possible that it could happen and, if it does, they should consider casting these actors.