Tom Cruise's Character Was Cut from ‘American Psycho,’ but Still Inspired Patrick Bateman

Tom Cruise never made an appearance in ‘American Psycho’, but his influence is felt throughout the narrative.  In fact, Cruise is woven into the story of Bret Easton Ellis' original novel, which was the inspiration for Mary Harron's 2000 film adaptation.  The fact that he shares a high-end apartment complex with Patrick Bateman, the protagonist of the novel, both intrigues and unnerves the insane lead.

 Nevertheless, Cruise was left out of the final version of the film's script.  In a recent interview with Letterboxd, Harron remarked that although the creative team was thrilled about the prospect of involving Cruise, they were aware that it would never be possible to get him engaged in something as sinister and unsettling as ‘American Psycho’.

Nevertheless, Cruise had an unexpected impact on the movie.  According to reports, Christian Bale, who played Bateman, studied Cruise's mannerisms in order to prepare for the character.  After seeing Cruise on a talk show, Bale once called Harron and remarked that his amiable, warm demeanor looked strangely hollow. Bale then translated this feeling into Bateman's eerie charm.

Image Courtesy: Entertainment Weekly

 Bateman awkwardly tries to compliment Cruise on ‘Cocktail’ during an elevator ride, but instead refers to the movie as ‘Bartender’. This is Cruise's time in the book.  The uneasy silence that follows the brief interaction is broken by Cruise pointing out that Bateman's nose is bleeding, underscoring the discrepancy between Bateman's illusions and the world as it is perceived by others.

Although there are some significant differences between the novel and the movie, both present Bateman as a man whose exaggerated sense of self stands in stark contrast to his clumsy, socially awkward reality.  According to Harron, who has previously discussed Bale's influence, he was especially moved by a Cruise performance on David Letterman that encapsulated this relationship.

Image Courtesy: Entertainment Weekly

Cruise had recently played challenging roles in movies like ‘Magnolia’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ when Bale was getting ready for the job, which might have further influenced Bale's approach.  Even though ‘American Psycho’ sparked controversy for its violent and misogynistic themes, Bale's portrayal received considerable praise, mirroring the criticism the novel received ten years prior.

Notwithstanding early objections, the movie has subsequently established itself as a cult classic, inspiring a Broadway remake and a sequel, solidifying its status in popular culture.

–Farheen Ali