(Left) Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios. (Right) Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in ‘American Psycho.’ Photo: Lionsgate Films.
Preview:
‘Challengers’ director Luca Guadagnino is aboard a new adaptation of ‘American Psycho.’
‘The Bourne Ultimatum’s Scott Z. Burns is writing the script.
Christian Bale starred in the 2002 adaptation.
While he has brought us several outstanding original movies (most recently the successful ‘Challengers,’) Italian director Luca Guadagnino has also tried his hand at adapting novels or remaking classic films with a new spin.
And while the newly-announced plan to tackle a fresh take on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel ‘American Psycho’ could fall into both categories, it sounds, according to Deadline as though Guadagnino is aiming to take a new crack at the book rather than going the remake route.
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What’s the story of ‘American Psycho’?
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in ‘American Psycho.’ Photo: Lionsgate Films.
Ellis’ novel, which was published back in 1991, ‘American Psycho’ is set during the Wall Street boom of the late 1980s.
It follows wealthy young investment banker Patrick Bateman. In his mid-20s when the story begins, Bateman narrates his everyday activities, from his grooming routine, his recreational life among the Wall Street elite of New York… and his forays into murder by night.
Because, as the title suggests, Bateman is a serial killer, one who has been offing rivals, colleagues and women, his murder spree becoming increasingly brutal and sadistic.
The book was a sensation in its day but fueled huge debate over its grisly violence and misogynistic attitudes –– even with a satirical bent.
Co-writer/director Mary Harron adapted the book in 2000 with Christian Bale as Bateman, which became something of a divisive cult hit itself. A sequel, ‘American Psycho II: All American Girl’ was quickly pumped out featuring none of the same creative team but couldn’t match the impact.
Who else is working on the new ‘American Psycho’?
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in ‘American Psycho.’ Photo: Lionsgate Films.
With Lionsgate long wanting to take a new stab at adapting the novel, it also has Sam Pressman, the son of Edward R. Pressman, producer of the original film, aboard.
The director’s next film to be released, ‘Queer’ (adapted from the William S. Burroughs novel), stars Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey, and will be in theaters on December 13th after receiving plenty of plaudits on the festival circuit.
When would the new ‘American Psycho’ movie be on screens?
With no casting or shoot date in place yet, we’re going to have to wait to find out when this one will be released.
(L to R) Director Luca Guadagnino and producer Amy Pascal attend the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in ‘American Psycho.’ Photo: Lionsgate Films.
Preview:
Lionsgate is looking to make a new adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho’.
The movie is at a very embryonic stage.
A remake of ‘The Dead Zone’ is also under discussion.
In 2000, Christian Bale hacked his way into cinematic history as the psychopathic Wall St. type Patrick Bateman, who shoved the “anti” well and truly into antihero for the adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ scathing satire of 1980s masculinity and consumer culture, ‘American Psycho’.
The movie, directed by Mary Harron based on a script she wrote with Guinevere Turner, has become a cult favorite, even as it faced criticism at the time for its seeming sexist attitude (an attitude it was entirely satirizing).
And it was followed by a hasty, wedged-together sequel, ‘American Psycho II: All American Girl’, which had pretty much zero to do with the original, Lionsgate essentially repurposing an unconnected script in an attempt to cash in on the success of Harron’s movie.
Now, though, the studio is aiming to take another crack at Ellis’ story.
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What’s the story of ‘American Psycho’?
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in ‘American Psycho.’ Photo: Lionsgate Films.
‘American Psycho’ follows Bateman, a wealthy New York City investment banking executive, who hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.
What is Lionsgate planning with ‘American Psycho’?
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in ‘American Psycho.’ Photo: Lionsgate Films.
According to Jeff Sneider’s The InSneider newsletter, Lionsgate is going the remake route, meeting writers to hear ideas for a new movie adaptation –– one that is crucially set in the present day.
While there’s a chance that losing the ‘80s consumerism critique might be an issue, there is plenty to be said about today’s politically-divided, corporate cronyism and social media-obsessed world. It’ll just need a smart writer to draw it out.
Who would star in the new movie?
Jacob Elordi on HBO’s ‘Euphoria.’
Though it is certainly far from the casting stage, that hasn’t stopped the ‘net from fan-casting the Bateman role, including gender-flipped versions starring Allison Williams or Jodie Comer, and the more predictable likes of Jacob Elordi and Glenn Howerton.
What else is under discussion for a remake?
Christopher Walken as Johnny Smith in ‘The Dead Zone.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
In addition to ‘American Psycho’, Lionsgate is also considering a new adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘The Dead Zone’.
The story focuses on high school teacher Johnny Smith, who wakes from a coma after a car accident to discover he has lost five years of his life and psychic powers. Foreseeing the future appears to be a gift at first but ends up causing problems.
Since the November 2019 release of the music video “Heartless,” The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye a noted cinephile who has cited David Lynch, David Cronenberg, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese as inspirations in the past, has crafted a deep cinematic narrative throughout the video elements of his fourth album After Hours. Along with the lyrical and visual narratives of the album itself, which tracks a man dubbed The Weeknd through a bad break-up, a hard look at his hedonistic lifestyle, and in the end some wistful wisdom as he starts to maybe group up a bit, the videos and live appearances to promote the album are also chock full of cinematic references. Take the title itself: After Hours evokes late night clubs, but from a cinematic point of view it immediately brings up visions of Martin Scorsese’s 1985 cult classic of the same name about a word processor named Paul who takes a late night trip to SoHo in New York City and can’t seem to ever get himself back home.
“Blinding Lights” (left) and ‘After Hours’ (right)
Much like Paul, the videos find a man dubbed The Character (played of course by The Weeknd) in an endless journey through the darker parts of himself – and through a myriad of film references.
The Weeknd debuted his now signature red suit in the video for “Heartless,” directed by Anton Tammi, which itself is a reference to a suit worn by Robert De Niro in Scorsese’s 1995 film ‘Casino’. The video, shot in Las Vegas, features The Character and a friend (played by Metro Boomin) as they gallivant around Sin City, stumbling in a drug-induced haze like Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro in Terry Gilliam’s 1998 adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He even worked this stumble into his performance at the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show.
“Blinding Lights” (left) and ‘Blade Runner’ (right)
The video for his next single “Blinding Lights,” also directed by Tammi, there are even more film references. We see The Character steal a car and head back to Los Angeles, where, among other things, he dances in the 2nd Street Tunnel. This landmark of Los Angeles has been featured in countless films, including Ridley Scott’s 1982 film ‘Blade Runner.’ An adaptation of the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (side note: the author is also referenced in the lyrics of “Snow Child,” with the line “give her Phillip K Dick”), the film is set in Los Angeles in November 2019 – the same month the video was released – and references to it will show up in a later video.
“Blinding Lights” (left) and ‘The Dark Knight’ (right)
Much has been made of The Weeknd’s dancing throughout the promotion of After Hours being reminiscent of Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker,’ but in fact these videos are peppered with references to many cinematic Jokers, including the moment in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight,’ where Heath Ledger gleefully hangs his head outside a stolen police car he’s driving.
“Blinding Lights” (left) and ‘Blue Velvet’ (right)
Much of the vibe throughout the music videos and live performances for After Hours have a Lynchian feel to them and in “Blinding Lights,” there is a direct reference to David Lynch’s ‘Blue Velvet,’ where Dennis Hopper’s psychopath Frank Booth watches tormented torch singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) croon the titular song. In “Blinding Lights,” The Character is mesmerized by the musical stylings of an unnamed singer played by Miki Hamano, whose voice literally lifts him off the ground.
“Blinding Lights” (left) and ‘Twin Peaks’ (right)
We even get another hint of the Red Room from ‘Twin Peaks;’ in fact much of the eerie instrumental music that accompanies The Weeknd in the moments between videos and throughout the ‘After Hours’ short film have an Angelo Badalamenti vibe to them.
“Blinding Lights” (left) and ‘Joker’ (right)
Perhaps the most obvious reference in the video is his dancing, sometimes in the 2nd Street Tunnel, sometimes elsewhere throughout downtown Los Angeles, appears to be directly lifted from Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker as he dances to Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll Part 2” as he makes his way to make his late night debut in Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker.’
‘After Hours’ (left) and ‘The King of Comedy’ (right)
The After Hours short film, again directed by Tammi, takes place shortly after The Weeknd’s performance of “Blinding Lights” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The video begins as his set ends, The Character grinning like Rupert Pupkin at the end of Martin Scorese’s ‘The King of Comedy’ – itself a huge influence of Todd Phillips’s ‘Joker.’
‘After Hours’ (left) and ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ (right)
Tesfaye has stated influences on the short film also include Adrian Lyne’s psychological horror film ‘Jacob’s Ladder,’ which includes a scene where Tim Robbins is menaced by unknown forces in an empty subway station, Roman Polanki’s ‘Chinatown’ (the bandage on his nose), Claire Deni’s ‘Trouble Every Day,’ Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession, and Brian De Palma’s ‘Dressed to Kill.’
“In Your Eyes” (left) and ‘Dial M for Murder’ (right)
The video with possibly the most film references is “In Your Eyes,” in which The Character wordlessly stalks a young blonde woman à la Michael Myers in John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween.’ The horror movie infused video has nods to everything from Wes Craven’s ‘Scream’ to Dario Argento’s Suspiria to Alfred Hitchcock. At one point the woman takes refuge in a phone booth – à la ‘The Birds’ – and dials for help. Tammi, uses an ultra close-up of the keys, an homage to ‘Dial M For Murder,’ in which Hitchcock blonde Grace Kelly’s husband Ray Milland has hired someone to murder her.
“In Your Eyes” (left) and ‘The Terminator’ (right)
The woman then flees to a club titled After Hours – which uses the exact same lightbulb font as the Tech Noir club in James Cameron’s ‘Terminator,’ an idea that came early in the creative ideation for the video.
The horror vibes continue in the video for “Too Late”, directed by Cliqua. After being decapitated at the end of the previous video, The Character’s head is found by two models on the side of the road. The world they inhabit feels akin to Nicholas Winding Refn’s psychological horror film ‘The Neon Demon,’ where the Los Angeles modeling scene is depicted as so bleak the models are literally eating each other alive. Tesfaye is a noted friend of director Refn.
“Too Late” (left) and ‘American Psycho’ (right)
When the two discover that the head belongs to The Weeknd, they concoct a nefarious plan to bring him back to life. Laying newspapers on their floor and donning clear plastic rain gear à la Mary Harron’s adaption of Bret Easton Ellis’s yuppie black comedy American Psycho, the girls lure an unsuspecting male stripper (Ken XY) to their home in order to murder him and place The Character’s head on his body. Spooky.
“Save Your Tears” (left) and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (right)
In the most recent video, “Save Your Tears” again directed by Cliqua, The Character is now performing for a masked crowd straight out of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut.’ After appearing at the American Music Awards with a fully bandaged face like the models, his face has now clearly been marred by plastic surgery (looking quite a bit like Jocelyn Wildenstein aka the Tiger Woman of NYC).
“Save Your Tears” (left) and ‘Batman’ (right)
As the video ends, there is one last Joker reference – this time with Jack Nicholson’s iteration. In the climax of Tim Burton’s ‘Batman,’ he pulls a gun on himself after forcing Vicki Vale (Kim Basigner) to dance with him. Like Nicholson’s Joker, when he pulls the trigger there’s no bullet; The Character’s gun shoots confetti, just like the Joker’s gun pops out a flag.
Since these are just a few of the many references found throughout the music videos for After Hours (and in fact most of his music videos going back a decade), it’s only a matter of time before The Weeknd makes a feature film himself, or at least drops a link to his Letterboxd profile.
