Austin Butler’s career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric.
Austin Butler’s career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. After captivating audiences with his
portrayal of Elvis Presley in Elvis (2022), Butler quickly cemented his place in Hollywood as one of the most
promising young stars. But beyond his acting chops, it’s his immaculate sense of style—particularly when it
comes to his dapper, slick suits—that has drawn comparisons to one of the most iconic, albeit terrifying,
characters in film history: Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.
The Suit Makes the Man
Butler’s sense of style isn’t just a superficial trait—it’s part of his carefully crafted public persona. Whether he’s
attending the Academy Awards or the Met Gala, Austin has shown an unshakable commitment to sharp tailoring,
polished footwear, and the kind of refinement that screams “power player.” It’s this very suit game that has made
him the embodiment of what could be described as modern-day masculinity in Hollywood—sharp, sleek, and
somewhat sinister.
Patrick Bateman, the iconic protagonist of Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho, is also a man who is obsessed
with appearance. His wardrobe is a reflection of his carefully manicured identity—one that blends a luxurious,
almost otherworldly, refinement with an underlying madness. Bateman’s suits are sharp, his ties meticulously
knotted, and his hair perpetually perfect, all of which serve to maintain the illusion of control and normalcy.
These are traits that Austin Butler has recently perfected—his elegant looks creating a persona that, for some, is
strikingly reminiscent of Bateman’s chilling style.
The Sharpest of Edges
Butler’s most striking moments on the red carpet have been marked by impeccable tailoring. His sleek suits—
often in shades of black, charcoal, and navy—fit him like a glove, emphasizing his long, lean figure. His look is
clean and modern, yet timeless in its execution. Much like Bateman, who is endlessly consumed by his own
appearance, Butler’s sartorial choices send a subtle, calculated message: confidence, but with an almost
unnerving attention to detail.
A particularly notable example came during the promotional tour for Elvis, where Butler was frequently seen in
sharp, form-fitting suits that were both fashionable and minimalistic. These were not just clothes, but statements
of power and authority, designed to elicit admiration and a sense of unspoken dominance. When Butler steps
onto the red carpet, his presence is undeniable, as if he knows exactly the effect his style will have—much like
Bateman does in his world of corporate power and unspoken superiority.
The Darker Side of Charm
There’s something particularly intriguing about the idea of Butler being compared to Patrick Bateman, a
character whose outward charm and confidence hide a darker, more disturbing undercurrent. The parallels
between the two may not be entirely superficial. While Butler is far from the psychopathic Bateman, there’s a
certain coldness in his eyes that evokes the character’s chilling detachment. When combined with his perfectly
tailored suits, it creates an unsettling aura of control and precision.
This isn’t to say Butler is anything like Bateman in terms of personality. On the contrary, the actor is known for
his humble, charming demeanor off-screen. However, it is his ability to play roles with an intensity and depth
that hints at the darker, more complex aspects of human nature that makes him such a fascinating figure. There’s
a certain enigmatic quality to Butler that mirrors Bateman’s mysterious, almost dangerous allure, making him an
actor who could, perhaps, one day step into Bateman’s expensive shoes (metaphorically speaking) in a
reimagined American Psycho—if that ever happens.
A New Icon in Hollywood
While Butler’s star continues to rise, it’s not just his acting prowess that’s putting him in the spotlight—it’s his
ability to embody the kind of polished, meticulously crafted public image that so many other stars seem to
struggle with. In a way, his suits have become a visual shorthand for his success—a symbol of a man who has it all
together on the outside, while hiding his complexities underneath. It’s this duality that makes him such a
fascinating figure, and it’s precisely why the comparison to Patrick Bateman feels so apt.
Whether he’s playing the king of rock ’n’ roll or simply walking the red carpet, Austin Butler’s dedication to style
is more than skin-deep. He is, quite literally, dressed for success—and that success includes the possibility of
inhabiting one of cinema’s most iconic, albeit sinister, roles. If the world of Hollywood ever reimagines American
Psycho, Austin Butler, with his impeccable suits and haunting gaze, would be a natural fit for the part.
In the world of polished perfection and high-stakes drama, Austin Butler has proven that he’s not just a pretty
face—he’s an actor with a sharp eye for both fashion and performance. And with that, he might just be on a
collision course with a role as iconic as Patrick Bateman.
