Patrick Bateman has a message for you. It’s not about the business card. It’s not even about the Huey Lewis and the News discography. It’s about the fact that, decades after Bret Easton Ellis wrote the book and Mary Harron directed the film, people are still obsessed with owning a plastic version of a serial killer. The American Psycho action figure isn't just a toy. Honestly, it’s a weirdly perfect intersection of consumerist satire and high-end hobbyist culture.
Collecting this stuff is tricky.
If you walk into a big-box retailer today, you aren't going to find a 1:6 scale Christian Bale holding a blood-spattered axe next to the Barbie dolls. Licensing a character who murders people for sport—and for the sake of a better apartment view—is a legal and ethical headache. Yet, the secondary market is absolutely booming. Whether it’s the old-school NECA releases or the ultra-premium, "how is this legal" third-party figures, the demand never really dips. It’s because the character is the ultimate icon of the "Sigma" meme culture, even if that culture completely misses the point of the movie's satire.
The NECA Era: Where the Obsession Started
Back in the mid-2000s, NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) was the king of the "Cult Classics" line. They were the ones brave enough to give us the first real American Psycho action figure. This was the Series 1 release. It featured Bateman in his signature pinstripe suit, looking remarkably like Christian Bale for a figure of that era.
You remember the accessories? They were legendary. A briefcase, a walkman, a knife, and—of course—the axe.
There was a specific variant that collectors lost their minds over. The "Blood Splattered" version. It wasn't just a lazy repaint. It captured that frantic, manic energy of the "Hip to be Square" scene. NECA understood the assignment. They knew that people who liked this movie didn't want a "clean" Patrick. They wanted the guy who just finished a workout and a murder in the same afternoon.
The sculpt was decent for the time. By 2026 standards, it looks a bit "soft" in the face. But the nostalgia factor? Massive. If you find a mint-in-box NECA Bateman today, you’re looking at a price tag that would make even Paul Allen flinch. It’s a piece of horror history. It represents a time when toy companies were taking massive risks on R-rated properties.
Iconiq Studios and the High-End Revolution
Fast forward to the modern era. We moved past the 7-inch plastic toys into the world of "Sixth Scale" masterpieces. This is where things get serious. Iconiq Studios changed the game when they announced their official 1:6 scale Patrick Bateman.
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This isn't a toy. It’s a portrait.
They managed to capture the "mask of sanity" perfectly. The figure comes with two head sculpts. One is the calm, detached businessman. The other is the screaming, blood-lusting maniac. It’s eerie. You look at it on a shelf and you almost expect it to start critiquing your font choices.
- The tailoring is bespoke-level quality.
- The raincoat is actually made of a material that doesn't feel like a cheap trash bag.
- It includes a 1:6 scale business card. Yes, really.
The interesting thing about the Iconiq release is the way it handles the "gore" aspect. They included a blood-spray effect that attaches to the face. It's modular. It recognizes that collectors change their minds. Some days you want the "investor," other days you want the "executioner."
Why Do We Want a Killer on Our Shelves?
It’s a fair question. Why buy an American Psycho action figure?
Maybe it’s because Bateman is the ultimate avatar of "looking the part." The movie is a scathing critique of 80s yuppie culture, but in a weird twist of irony, the character became an idol for the very people he was mocking. Collectors love him because he looks good on a shelf. A well-dressed figure in a sea of superheroes and monsters stands out. It’s sophisticated. It’s clean.
Then there’s the "Third Party" market.
Companies like "Rainman" or various custom artists on Instagram produce unauthorized versions of Bateman that cost thousands of dollars. These are hand-painted. They use real hair sometimes. It's a level of craftsmanship that borders on the obsessive—fitting for the character, really. These artists focus on the details that big companies miss, like the specific brand of the walkman or the exact sheen of the Valentino suits.
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Spotting a Fake in a Market Full of Fakes
The secondary market for the American Psycho action figure is a minefield. Because these figures are so valuable, "bootlegs" are everywhere.
How do you tell? Look at the eyes.
On the NECA figures, bootlegs usually have "lazy" eyes or sloppy paint applications around the hairline. On the higher-end sixth-scale figures, look at the hands. Official releases from companies like Iconiq or even the older Medicom RAH figures have crisp detailing on the fingers. Bootlegs look like they were melted in a microwave for five seconds.
Also, check the box. If the printing looks blurry or the "American Psycho" logo looks slightly off-center, run. Or, at the very least, don't pay "grail" prices for it.
The "Business Card" Accessory Debate
Believe it or not, the business card is the most discussed accessory in the hobby. If a figure doesn't come with the card, is it even a Bateman figure?
Some customizers have gone as far as printing actual cardstock with "Pierce & Pierce" embossed on it. They use a magnifying glass to ensure the "Bone" coloring is accurate and the "Cillian Rail" lettering is perfect. It’s a level of meta-commentary that would make Patrick proud. You aren't just buying a figure; you’re buying the internal monologue of a man losing his mind over stationery.
The Value Trend
- NECA Original (2006): Prices have tripled in the last five years.
- Medicom RAH: Harder to find, often suffers from "pleather rot" on the suit.
- Iconiq Studios: The current gold standard for retail.
- Custom Artist Pieces: Prices start at $800 and go up to $3,000.
What Most People Get Wrong About Collecting Bateman
People think it’s just about the gore. It’s not.
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The best American Psycho action figure setups focus on the mundane. The most effective displays aren't the ones with the chainsaw. They’re the ones where he’s just standing there, holding a briefcase, looking perfectly normal. That’s the horror of the character. The horror is that he fits in.
If you’re looking to start a collection, don't just buy the first thing you see on eBay. The market is volatile.
Wait for the right sculpt. Look for the "mask of sanity."
How to Care for Your "Psychotic" Investment
If you manage to snag one of these, don't just throw it in direct sunlight. The plastic in the old NECA figures is prone to "weeping"—that weird oily residue that happens as the chemicals break down. Keep them in a cool, dry place.
If you have the sixth-scale version with the fabric suit, use a lint roller. Dust is the enemy of a $400 figure. And please, for the love of all that is holy, don't try to "re-enact" the blood scenes with actual paint unless you really know what you’re doing. You’ll ruin the resale value instantly.
Actionable Steps for the Serious Collector
- Audit the Sculpt: Before buying, compare the facial structure to actual stills of Christian Bale from the movie. Many third-party figures get the jawline wrong.
- Check the Joints: If you're buying a used NECA figure, ask the seller if the joints are "frozen." These older figures are notorious for snapping at the elbow if they've been sitting in a box for twenty years.
- Join the Forums: Places like Sideshow Collectors or specialized horror figure groups on Facebook are better than eBay for finding "fair" prices.
- Verify the Licensing: If you want something that will hold value, stick to licensed products or highly-vetted custom artists. Unlicensed "knock-offs" from random sites rarely appreciate.
- Invest in a Display Case: A simple acrylic box keeps the dust off the suit and prevents the accessories (like the tiny, tiny business cards) from disappearing into the vacuum cleaner.
The world of the American Psycho action figure is deep, expensive, and a little bit insane. But then again, so was Patrick. Just make sure your "reservations" for these figures are confirmed before you drop the cash. You don't want to end up with a knock-off that looks like it belongs in a different, much cheaper movie.