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    Film
    monologue
    Thriller

    Scene 10 — The Morning Routine

    from American Psycho

    Written by Bret Easton Ellis / Mary Harron / Guinevere Turner

    American Psycho

    2 min · 1 character · Male · 25-35

    Patrick Bateman provides a meticulous, clinical breakdown of his morning skincare and exercise routine. The monologue shifts from superficial vanity to a chilling admission of his lack of a true human identity.

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    Scene PreviewExcerpt — subscribe to read full scene

    PATRICK BATEMAN

    I live in the American Gardens Building on West 81st Street on the 11th floor. My name is Patrick Bateman. I’m 27 years old. I believe in taking care of myself, and a balanced diet and a rigorous exercise routine. In the morning, if my face is a little puffy, I’ll put on an ice pack while doing my stomach crunches. I can do a thousand now.…

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    Scene Notes & Audition Tips

    5 sections
    About This Scene

    This contemporary thriller monologue captures Patrick Bateman delivering a clinical, meticulous breakdown of his daily fitness and skincare regimen. What begins as an obsessive catalog of luxury products and rigid physical discipline gradually turns inward, culminating in a chilling and vulnerable confession. The piece contrasts everyday vanity with existential desolation, creating a striking dramatic arc within a concise two-minute framework.

    Character Analysis

    Patrick presents himself as a sophisticated, impeccably groomed business executive who demands absolute perfection from his physical form. He is defined by intense narcissism and hyper-materialism, yet he remains acutely aware of the void beneath his pristine surface. Rather than experiencing genuine emotional connection, he approaches life as a manufactured performance designed to deceive those around him and conceal his profound emptiness.

    Why This Works for Auditions

    This monologue provides actors with an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate micro-expressions, vocal precision, and emotional restraint on camera or in the room. Casting panels appreciate material that subverts initial expectations, shifting from sterile, rhythmic exposition into deep psychological vulnerability. It proves you can sustain compelling dramatic tension through stillness and subtle changes in thought rather than through broad theatrical gestures.

    Best Suited For

    This selection is best suited for male actors aged twenty-five to thirty-five who align with casting profiles such as the polished business executive, intense anti-hero, or outwardly charming professional. It functions effectively for drama school auditions, targeted self-tape submissions, and advanced practice sessions where you need to highlight psychological complexity and absolute physical poise.

    Performance Tips

    Treat the detailed listing of your morning routine with genuine investment and rhythmic cadence, ensuring the opening moments feel practical and earnest rather than satirical. Resist the impulse to signal the dark conclusion too early; the ritual itself is what keeps the character anchored. When transitioning into the admission regarding your identity, allow your vocal delivery to drop into an unsettling, quiet stillness. Maintain pristine posture throughout, letting your eyes and breath carry the weight of the realization that your entire persona is merely an illusion.

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