‘American Psycho’ Director Recalls Christian Bale Finding Inspiration For Killer In Tom Cruise

“American Psycho” director Mary Harron is celebrating the film’s 25th anniversary — and recalling in an interview about the pitch-black satire that her leading man, Christian Bale, found inspiration for his deranged serial killer character in none other than Tom Cruise.

Cruise had yet to publicly tarnish his image by promoting the controversial Church of Scientology or jumping for apparent joy on Oprah Winfrey’s couch when Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel or Harron’s 2000 film adaptation were respectively published or in production.

The “Cocktail” (1988) star’s seemingly effortless charm was already famous, however.

“[Bale] called me at one point and said, ‘I saw Tom Cruise on a talk show last night, and there was something about that friendliness, with almost nothing behind the eyes,’” Harron recalled in an interview Monday with social film review platform Letterboxd about his preparation for the role.

The role of 1980s Wall Street broker Patrick Bateman, whom Ellis portrayed in his novel as murderous greed personified, saw Bale embark on a method acting performance that put him in peak physical shape to accurately portray Bateman’s obsession with superficiality.

Cruise’s public persona contributed, as well — to both the novel and the film years later.

Readers might recall that Bateman, whose entire personality is defined by materialism and appearances, encounters Cruise in the elevator of his posh apartment building — where he utterly embarrasses himself by inaccurately referring to “Cocktail” as “Bartender.”

“‘It was called “Cocktail,”’ he says softly,” wrote Ellis. “‘Pardon?’ I say, confused. He clears his throat and says, ‘“Cocktail.” Not “Bartender.” The film was called “Cocktail.”’ A long pause follows … ‘Oh yeah…Right,’ I say, as if the title just dawned on me. ‘“Cocktail.” Oh yeah, that’s right.’”

Cruise would’ve made for an indelible cameo in the film, but Harron told Letterboxd through laughter that she “would have never gotten” him “to be in such a heinous production.”

While he nor Bale have not commented on the “American Psycho” connection further, social media users still can’t help but wonder why Holmes, who starred as Bale’s love interest in “Batman Begins” (2005), decided not to return for its historic sequel.

Rather than rejoin Bale for one of the most anticipated blockbusters of all time with “The Dark Knight” (2008), Holmes agreed to co-star in “Mad Money” opposite Diane Keaton. The notion that her husband at the time influenced that decision remains entirely speculative.