James Van Der Beek's Gritty Turn in 'The Rules of Attraction'

The actor's performance as a nihilistic college drug dealer marked a stark departure from his 'Dawson's Creek' days.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In 2002, James Van Der Beek starred in the cult film 'The Rules of Attraction,' based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel. The movie featured Van Der Beek playing against type as Sean Bateman, a destructive and emotionally detached college drug dealer who is the younger brother of American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. The film was a stark departure from Van Der Beek's breakout role as the sensitive Dawson on 'Dawson's Creek,' and the actor hoped it would help redefine his career as the popular teen drama came to an end.

Why it matters

Van Der Beek's performance in 'The Rules of Attraction' showed his range as an actor and his willingness to take on challenging, morally ambiguous roles. The film was a critical and commercial disappointment upon its release, but has since gained a cult following for its nihilistic tone and stylized depiction of college life. Van Der Beek's turn as the anti-Dawson character of Sean Bateman was a bold career move that, while not immediately successful, helped establish him as a versatile performer.

The details

In the film, Van Der Beek plays Sean Bateman, the younger brother of American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. Sean is a college drug dealer who is emotionally detached and cruel, punching his love interest Jessica Biel in the face at one point. The movie features graphic scenes of sexual assault and suicide that were criticized as gratuitous. While the film failed to translate the magical realism of Bret Easton Ellis's novels to the screen as effectively as 'American Psycho,' Van Der Beek's performance was praised for its range and intensity.

  • The Rules of Attraction was released in 2002, a year after Dawson's Creek went off the air.
  • Van Der Beek was 26 years old when the film was released.

The players

James Van Der Beek

An American actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery on the TV series Dawson's Creek, who starred as the morally ambiguous character Sean Bateman in the 2002 film The Rules of Attraction.

Bret Easton Ellis

An American author who wrote the novel The Rules of Attraction, on which the 2002 film was based.

Roger Avary

The director of The Rules of Attraction and co-writer of Pulp Fiction.

Jessica Biel

An American actress who played a supporting role in The Rules of Attraction as a cokehead who later marries a senator.

Patrick Bateman

The serial killer protagonist of Bret Easton Ellis's novel American Psycho, who is referenced as the older brother of Van Der Beek's character Sean Bateman in The Rules of Attraction.

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What they’re saying

“One thing I was very aware of from the start is that I couldn't ask people to pay 10 bucks to see me do in a movie what they could see me do on TV for free.”

— James Van Der Beek (Rolling Stone)

“The TV spots and trailers were about a totally different movie! I wouldn't have seen that movie. And I certainly wouldn't have appeared in it.”

— James Van Der Beek (Rolling Stone)

The takeaway

James Van Der Beek's bold performance in The Rules of Attraction showed his range as an actor and his willingness to take on challenging, morally ambiguous roles, even as it failed to find mainstream success upon its release. The film has since gained a cult following, with Van Der Beek's intense turn as the anti-Dawson character of Sean Bateman now seen as a standout moment in his career.