‘American Psycho’ Writer Bret Easton Ellis Talks Patrick Bateman in Modern Day

American Psycho the Musical is finally making it’s way to Broadway, 25 years after the release of Bret Easton Ellis novel. The musical opened in London in 2013 and starred Doctor Who vet Matt Smith. Ben Walker, who played the show’s star Patrick Bateman in the New York workshop will be stepping back into the role. Recently, Bret Easton Ellis praised Walker as the new Bateman. Ellis also gave fans a little insight into where Bateman would be if the show was set in the modern day.

Bret Easton Ellis recently penned an essay for Town & Country, where he discussed how Patrick Bateman would be getting along in the modern era:

“In the period when the novel takes place Bateman is a member of the as yet unnamed one percent, and he would probably still be now. But would Patrick Bateman actually be living somewhere else, and would his interests be any different? Would better criminology forensics (not to mention Big Brother cameras on virtually every corner) allow him to get away with the murders he tells the reader he committed, or would his need to express his rage take other forms? For example, would he be using social media—as a troll using fake avatars? Would he have a Twitter account bragging about his accomplishments? Would he be using Instagram, showcasing his wealth, his abs, his potential victims? Possibly. There was the possibility to hide during Patrick's '80s reign that there simply isn't now; we live in a fully exhibitionistic culture. Because he wasn't a character to me as much as an emblem, an idea, I would probably approach him the same way now and address his greatest fear: Would anyone be paying any attention to him?”

You can and should read more of Ellis’ essay here.

American Psycho starts previews on March 24, 2016 with an official opening date set for April 20, 2016. Directed by Rupert Goold, American Psycho the Musical will be performed at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre located at 236 West 45th Street. Tickets are on sale now at https://americanpsychothemusical.com.