There was a time when American moviegoers wanted simple villains: zombies, vampires, aliens, and other single-minded creatures that are easy to kill. While monster movies have their place in every summer blockbuster lineup, we’ve begun to demand a little more. Sometimes, you just want a nice postmodern psychopath.

Ironically, no two men better represent the Hollywood psychopath than two of the most divergent serial killers on screen: American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman, and Hannibal Lecter, the man who needs no introduction.

Patrick and Hannibal share little in common. From their motives to their methodology, they are as different as night and day. When we first meet Hannibal in The Silence of the Lambs, he is described as a textbook psychopath - oddly, he barely fits the diagnosis. Patrick, however, does.

Hannibal’s cool, calm, and collected demeanor isn’t typical of your average psychopath. Though they don’t experience traditional emotions, psychopaths do have feelings - for themselves, and occasionally for others. They feel isolated and disconnected, which leads to emotions like panic and fear. Though Hannibal displays a typical psychopathic disdain and superior attitude, his complete lack of empathy is strange: psychopaths tend to go out of their way to mimic human emotions, because it allows them to get what they want.

Patrick Bateman, who has American Psycho right in his name, is the real textbook psychopath. He is completely aware that he has no emotions, and it disturbs him. He imitates a regular life, but he cannot fight the bloodthirst that stems from a disdain for those he sees as lower beings - prostitutes, the inane, and the homeless.

If you think you know these two men, try your hand at American Psycho movie trivia and Hannibal Lecter movie trivia. Watch your back!

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