Less Than Zero

A film adaptation of Less than Zero was released in 1987, starring Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, and Robert Downey Jr. The movie significantly alters the plot and character arcs from the novel, particularly the ending and the protagonist's journey.

Less than Zero introduces themes and a detached narrative style that are characteristic of Bret Easton Ellis's later works, exploring the ennui and moral decay of privileged youth. The protagonist, Clay, also reappears in later novels, providing a sense of continuity within Ellis's fictional universe.

Less than Zero is notable for its unflinching portrayal of the dark side of 1980s youth culture in Los Angeles, capturing a specific moment in time with a stark, minimalist prose style. It is often cited as a defining novel of its generation and a key work in contemporary American literature.