Tagged: Serial Killer
Patrick Bateman’s Tuxedo
Christian Bale and Cara Seymour as Patrick Bateman and Christie, respectively, in American Psycho (2000).
Vitals
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, shallow investment banker and possible serial killer
New York City, Spring 1988
Film: American Psycho
Release Date: April 14, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Costume Designer: Isis Mussenden
Background
Halloween approaching is a fine time to address a monster in human form like Patrick Bateman who may have been a sharp dresser (for the ’80s) but was undoubtedly a terrible human being (in any era!)
You can tell Bateman is trying his best to be seen as a classy host; he plays Phil Collins, after all! Of course, Bateman is hindered by the fact that no classy evening should ever include the words “don’t just stare at it, eat it!” Continue reading
Patrick Bateman’s Gray Suit in American Psycho
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000).
Vitals
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, bored investment banker and possible serial killer
New York City, Spring 1988
Film: American Psycho
Release Date: April 14, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Costume Designer: Isis Mussenden
Background
Perceived as nothing more than a bland Wall Street banker by his friends at the start of the film, Patrick Bateman’s “mask of sanity” begins slipping away as some begin to see that there’s something darker beneath the surface.
Even his friends, never directly privy to his violent secret life, show strands of doubt after an ill-humored joke at the expense of real life serial killer’s Ed Gein’s multiple victims. Bateman tries to maintain his surface as a fashionable, successful businessman, but those not enraptured in the yuppie universe of 1987 Manhattan – notably detective Donald Kimball and poor prostitute Christie – see through the designer brands. Continue reading
Dexter’s Kill Outfit
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan in “Waiting to Exhale”, episode 2.02 of Dexter.
Vitals
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, Miami Metro Police forensic analyst and serial killer
Miami, Fall 2006
Series: Dexter
Creator: James Manos, Jr.
Costume Design Team: Marina Draghici (pilot), Jill M. Ohanneson (season 1), Abram Waterhouse (seasons 2-4), James Lapidus (season 5), Kathleen Felix-Hager (seasons 6-8)
Background
Although the network had been running original programming since the early 1980s, Showtime’s status as an original TV network was catapulted by the debut of Dexter in 2006. The show began as a loose adaptation of Jeff Lindsay’s novels about Dexter Morgan, a vigilante serial killer who only targets other killers. Dexter’s abilities as a killer are assisted by his position as a forensic blood spatter analyst for the [fictional] Miami-Metro Police Department where his now-deceased father Harry had been a legendary detective (though not without his own demons) and his half-sister is currently trying to live up to Harry’s reputation.
At a young age, Dexter’s urge to kill had been recognized by foster father-but-actually-biological-father-also Harry. Rather than allow Dexter to follow the likes of Ted Bundy and Richard Ramirez, Harry developed a code for Dexter to follow where he must only kill people who are undoubtedly murderers themselves and ensure his own personal safety by disposing of the evidence. Typically, Dexter was able to stay under the radar by only killing murderers who were untouched by the law, but his investigations began to overlap with the Miami-Metro PD’s investigations as the series continued. Continue reading
Dexter’s Dark Blue Linen Shirt in “See-Through”
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan on Dexter, episode 2.04, “See-Through”.
Vitals
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, Miami Metro Police forensic analyst and serial killer
Miami, March 2007
Background
When he wasn’t sporting his trademark brown henley and cargo pants for a kill, Dexter Morgan dressed very fashionably and practically for his tropical surroundings. The second season of Dexter, lauded by fans as one of the best, finds Dexter confronted by his gruesome habits and branded the “Bay Harbor Butcher”. Since Dexter had killed more than fifty victims by the time the season started, any police department would be way over their heads with such a discovery, let alone the totally incompetent Miami Metro Police Department of the series. The MMPD calls in the FBI, notably eccentric super agent Frank Lundy.
By the fourth episode, “See-Through”, Lundy and his task force – which now includes Dexter’s sister Debra – are ramping up their case against the Butcher. Continue reading
Patrick Bateman’s Charcoal Pinstripe Double-Breasted Suit
Christian Bale as Huey Lewis fan Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000).
Vitals
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, bored investment banker and possible serial killer
New York City, December 1987
Film: American Psycho
Release Date: April 14, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Costume Designer: Isis Mussenden
Background
“Aw man, I loved this blog until you called a serial killer a BAMF!”
Sorry, guys, but…
a) It’s Halloween.
2) There’s no denying that Bateman’s style was as classy as the late ’80s could get.
c) Some people think his killings were all just in his mind anyway. (They weren’t, but still…) Continue reading