The Hamptons Retreat

American Psycho

This flow traces Bateman and Evelyn's attempt to escape Manhattan and the failure of luxury, romance, and nature to quiet his violence.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

City Escape City Escape from "American Psycho". City Escape Vacation Proposal Bateman suggests leaving Manhattan because his bloodlust has invaded ordinary days.

City Escape from "American Psycho". City Escape Vacation Proposal Bateman suggests leaving Manhattan because his bloodlust has invaded ordinary days.

City Escape Vacation Proposal Bateman suggests leaving Manhattan because his bloodlust has invaded ordinary days. Evelyn's Acceptance Evelyn agrees, reading the invitation as a romantic gesture. Significance The retreat begins as an attempt to preserve their relationship through scenery and privilege.

East Hampton Luxury East Hampton Luxury from "American Psycho". East Hampton Luxury Designed Paradise Timothy Price's house offers marble, electronics, saunas, exercise rooms, and enormous kitchens.

East Hampton Luxury from "American Psycho". East Hampton Luxury Designed Paradise Timothy Price's house offers marble, electronics, saunas, exercise rooms, and enormous kitchens.

East Hampton Luxury Designed Paradise Timothy Price's house offers marble, electronics, saunas, exercise rooms, and enormous kitchens. Controlled Nature Even the landscape is presented as another curated possession. Significance The retreat reproduces the city’s hierarchy rather than escaping it.

Romantic Rehearsal Romantic Rehearsal from "American Psycho". Romantic Rehearsal Shared Activities Bateman and Evelyn ride bicycles, play tennis, cook, read, and plan future travel.

Romantic Rehearsal from "American Psycho". Romantic Rehearsal Shared Activities Bateman and Evelyn ride bicycles, play tennis, cook, read, and plan future travel.

Romantic Rehearsal Shared Activities Bateman and Evelyn ride bicycles, play tennis, cook, read, and plan future travel. Fragile Performance Their intimacy resembles a sequence from a sentimental film. Significance Romance is treated as a routine to be performed rather than a feeling to be discovered.

Nature Contamination Nature Contamination from "American Psycho". Nature Contamination Disturbing Acts Bateman eats sand, microwaves a jellyfish, and fantasizes about weapons and murder.

Nature Contamination from "American Psycho". Nature Contamination Disturbing Acts Bateman eats sand, microwaves a jellyfish, and fantasizes about weapons and murder.

Nature Contamination Disturbing Acts Bateman eats sand, microwaves a jellyfish, and fantasizes about weapons and murder. Failed Sublimation The natural world cannot absorb or transform his impulses. Significance The retreat reveals that his violence is portable and self-generated.

Return to Manhattan Return to Manhattan from "American Psycho". Return to Manhattan Final Failure Bateman and Evelyn leave the Hamptons after he waits over her with an ice pick.

Return to Manhattan from "American Psycho". Return to Manhattan Final Failure Bateman and Evelyn leave the Hamptons after he waits over her with an ice pick.

Return to Manhattan Final Failure Bateman and Evelyn leave the Hamptons after he waits over her with an ice pick. No Renewal The vacation has failed to alter either person or their relationship. Significance Geographical escape collapses before the persistence of inner disorder.

August

early August

mid-August

late August

before Labor Day