In the film "American Psycho," the interpretation of whether the murders were real or just delusions is intentionally left ambiguous and open to individual viewer interpretation. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis and was directed by Mary Harron.
In the story, Patrick Bateman, played by Christian Bale, is a wealthy investment banker who leads a double life as a sadistic serial killer. Throughout the film, there are instances where it is unclear whether the murders he commits are real or simply figments of his deranged imagination.
Some interpretations suggest that Patrick Bateman may have actually committed some of the murders, while others believe that he might have imagined them as a way to cope with his narcissistic and psychopathic tendencies. The film deliberately blurs the lines between reality and delusion, reflecting the unreliable and disturbed nature of its protagonist.
The ambiguity surrounding the murders is one of the film's central themes, leaving audiences to question the true extent of Bateman's violence and whether he is genuinely capable of the horrific acts he describes or whether it's all in his mind. This ambiguity serves as a commentary on the shallow and materialistic society depicted in the movie.
It's important to note that the film intentionally leaves the answer to this question unresolved, and there is no definitive answer as to how many of the murders were real and how many were delusions. Each viewer may have their own interpretation of the events in the movie, and the intention of the filmmakers was to spark discussion and contemplation rather than to provide a straightforward answer.