Ellis's third novel was "American Psycho" in 1991. It made him famous. In 1998, it was still selling 25,000 copies a year. The book's hero is an investment banker and sadistic serial killer named Patrick Bateman. His violent acts are described in detail. The Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) called for a boycott of the book. NOW described it as "a how-to novel on the torture and dismemberment of women". Easton's publisher Simon and Schuster ended their contract with Ellis. Vintage Press bought and published the book. Ellis got several death threats, but the book sold well. The novel was made into a movie in 2000. Christian Bale played the lead role.