Essay Questions

Why doesn’t anyone believe Bateman when he confesses?

Bateman is not simply a charming man, but a well-respected and handsome one as well. He is the best in his business, and his only downfall might be his somewhat sadistic humor, fit for a mid-puberty thirteen-year-old boy. However, as everyone wants to be in his good graces, they all laugh at his jokes. When he one day says that he has killed and raped and slaughtered lots of people, everyone will once again laugh, as they assume that is his wicked humor.

Why does Bateman kill?

Bateman knows that what he is doing is wrong, which is why he hides it. However, in the beginning, he killed the people he didn’t like or was jealous of. That quickly changed, when he started killing people because he was angry, or just simply felt like it. He is consumed with a good feeling during the killings but knows that it is wrong, which is why he tries to get caught towards the end.

How can the movie reflect the world we live in today?

The movie shows how people can think of other people, while the truth is starkly different. Appearance is just that; an appearance. When someone is looking happy, seemingly living their best life, their true selves could be very different behind closed doors. It can also show us how some people at the top are overlooked as innocent no matter what they do; they can say and even destroy lives without anyone lifting a finger towards them.