It has been 25 years since American Psycho first hit theaters, yet Patrick Bateman remains one of the most enduring pop culture icons. Despite being a fictional yuppie serial killer, Gen Z men have latched onto Bateman with surprising admiration. Through memes, fancams, and endless online discourse, Bateman has transformed from a satirical figure into a misunderstood hero of the modern age. But why?
The internet loves labels, and Bateman has been dubbed the ultimate "sigma male." Unlike the stereotypical alpha male who dominates through sheer confidence, the sigma male is an outsider—self-sufficient, independent, and indifferent to social hierarchies. Bateman, with his meticulously curated lifestyle, chiselled physique, and cold detachment, fits this image perfectly. His infamous "sigma face"—a smirking, raised-eyebrow pout—has become an ironic emblem of self-mastery.
For Gen Z men, who navigate a world of uncertainty, Bateman’s rigid control over his life and image is aspirational. The suit, the skincare routine, the morning workout—it all speaks to a desire for self-improvement and discipline in an era of digital chaos. In a sense, Bateman is a response to the disillusionment of modern masculinity, offering an exaggerated, hyper-controlled alternative.
Beyond his mentality, Bateman's aesthetic has taken on a life of its own. Double-breasted suits, perfectly styled hair, and designer accessories—all hallmarks of his 1980s Wall Street persona—are making a comeback. Fashion analysts have linked this resurgence to a broader "boom boom" cultural shift, where traditional, male-coded symbols of power and status are returning in full force.
Gen Z men, disillusioned by the casual, minimalist fashion trends of the 2010s, are embracing Bateman’s tailored look as a statement of refinement and dominance. Even those who don’t align with his extreme ideologies recognize the appeal of dressing with precision and purpose.
Originally, American Psycho was a critique of yuppie culture—a portrait of toxic materialism and status obsession taken to murderous extremes. But satire has a way of being reinterpreted, and what was once a warning has now become a playbook. Bateman’s obsession with status symbols, once meant to expose the emptiness of consumer culture, now resonates with a generation eager to carve out their place in a hyper-competitive world.
Not all admiration for Bateman is harmless. While many fans engage with him in a tongue-in-cheek manner, others take his persona more seriously. On lookmaxxing forums and sigma male subreddits, Bateman is seen as the "ideal man"—a figure who possesses wealth, power, and ruthless efficiency. His emotional detachment and narcissism are even viewed as strengths.
However, this idolization overlooks a crucial detail: Bateman was never meant to be a role model. His obsession with validation, his violent outbursts, his utter lack of empathy—these traits ultimately hollow him out, turning him into a shell of a man. Yet, in an era where traditional masculinity is being questioned, some are drawn to his extreme, almost cartoonish embodiment of control and dominance.
Patrick Bateman endures because he reflects something deep within modern masculinity. Whether admired ironically or earnestly, he represents a hyper-stylized vision of power and self-mastery that appeals to young men searching for identity in an ever-changing world. He is a meme, an aesthetic, a lifestyle—both a critique of and an aspiration for those who engage with him.
But perhaps the most telling aspect of Bateman’s popularity is this: in a world that often feels out of control, he embodies the illusion of having complete dominance over oneself. And for Gen Z men, that illusion can be incredibly enticing.
