The Batman review – Robert Pattinson’s emo hero elevates gloomy reboot
Feb 05,2022
.jpg)
hat definite article means it’s the genuine article. Adding “the” to Batman’s name has become a huge part of the brand identity, a sign of how elemental and atavistic this shadowy figure is supposed to be. You can imagine some growly voice saying “the Batman” – but not Tom Holland putting on a deep baritone to say he’s “the Spider-Man”, or Henry Cavill booming he’s “the Superman” (although maybe you could have Billy Joel stride into a dark Gotham City bar to raspingly confront “the Piano Man”).
Director and co-writer Matt Reeves has created a new Batman iteration in which Robert Pattinson reinvents billionaire Bruce Wayne as an elegantly wasted rock star recluse, willowy and dandyish in his black suit with tendrils of dark hair falling over his face; but Wayne magically trebles in bulk when he reappears in costume and mask as the Dark Knight, his whole being weaponised into a slab-like impassivity. And this of course is happening in the sepulchral vastness of Gotham City, the brutal and murky world which Christopher Nolan thrillingly pioneered with his Dark Knight trilogy and made indispensable for imagining Batman on screen.
Intriguingly at first, The Batman feels like a serial killer chiller such as Saw. For a time it promises a mystery plot relating to the theme of municipal corruption which is so important to the Batman franchise, and holds out hope of an unmasking with a satisfying narrative resolution. But not really. It is tremendously designed, visually spectacular with great set pieces and juddering, sternum-shivering impacts coming at you out of the darkness. There are unassumingly good performances from Jeffrey Wright and John Turturro, and Zoë Kravitz’s superpower is charisma. But the film is overlong; the Riddler’s puzzles aren’t particularly ingenious or even important to the story and there’s a pretty feeble non-ending which sheepishly sidesteps The Batman’s existential crisis.
Gotham City’s political classes are complacently congratulating themselves on rooting out a major drug dealer, Sal Maroni. But the city is still drenched in crime and addiction to a new narcotic called “drops”, to which law enforcement is clearly turning a blind eye. Most exercised about this is the Riddler (Paul Dano), sporting a rubber gimp mask for his many social media appearances. He sets out to whack the corrupt Gotham establishment one by one, including Mayor Don Mitchell (Rupert Penry-Jones) and district attorney Gil Colson (Peter Sarsgaard), leaving quibbling questions for the Batman on Hallmark-type cards at the scene of each gruesome crime. So our antihero effectively joins forces with commissioner Gordon (Wright, lending his innate dignity and integrity to the role) to take down the Riddler, incidentally putting himself up against mob boss Carmine Falcone (Turturro) and his bloated sidekick Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) who don’t like questions being asked about who is doing the corrupting.
But wait. The Riddler is obsessed above all with what he says is the most grotesquely crooked thing about Gotham City: the plutocrat Wayne family and Bruce’s late father who made fraud and crime the city’s foundation stone. The Riddler longs to kill Bruce Wayne. And the Batman is beginning to wonder … could the Riddler have a point?
The Batman has some people in his corner. Kravitz is stylish and assured as cat burglar Selina Kyle, or Catwoman, who has reasons of her own for detesting creepy Falcone. There is a nice sequence when Bruce gives Selina some surveillance contact lenses to wear before she sashays through Carmine’s club, making eye contact with the cringing regulars, while Wayne monitors it all on a screen.
Andy Serkis plays Wayne’s butler Alfred, a loyal plain-speaking fellow who has apparently done time in the “circus”: meaning the John Le Carré intelligence world, not the actual circus, although it’s confusing given the Cirque du Soleil stylings all the combatants are going in for.
But the ending is tiresome and shark-jumping in the extreme, with faux-apocalyptic scenes which work better in less solemn superhero adventures, and an exasperating non-revelation whose significance is teased for the next film. Inevitably, night falls on the latest Batman iteration with the cloudy sense that – of course – nothing has really been at stake. A classy turn from Pattinson, however, as the crime fighter with an injured soul.
Top Stories
Security Breach Involving Arbaaz Khan: Intruder Jumps Into Actor’s Car, Removed by Bouncer
Jun 17,2026
Actor Arbaaz Khan recently found himself at the center of a security scare during a public event in Kolkata. A video from the incident has gone viral on social media, showing an unidentified man allegedly forcing his way into the actor's car as he was leaving the venue.The unexpected inci
‘Happy Birthday to the Queen’: Priyanka Chopra Shares Special Birthday Wish for Mother Madhu Chopra
Jun 17,2026
Global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas melted hearts on social media after sharing a special birthday message for her mother, Dr. Madhu Chopra. The actress took to Instagram Stories to celebrate her mother's birthday and expressed gratitude for her constant guidance and support.The heartfelt p
Kangana Ranaut Breaks Silence on ‘Don 3’ Controversy, Says ‘Ranveer Singh Is Being Targeted After Dhurandhar’
Jun 12,2026
Bollywood actress and politician Kangana Ranaut has once again sparked discussion with her comments on the controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh and his reported exit from Don 3. Speaking in a recent interview, Kangana suggested that Ranveer may have been unfairly targeted following the su
Anupam Kher Scolds David Dhawan Over Retirement Rumors: "Who Are You to Decide..."
Jun 04,2026
Veteran Bollywood filmmaker David Dhawan has returned to the director’s chair after a gap of six years. However, what has surprised fans even more is his announcement that his upcoming film Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani will reportedly be his final directorial venture before retirement.But
'Bad breath from her mouth...' When Bobby Deol refused to film an intimate scene with Manisha Koirala, the reason will leave you stunned.
Jun 03,2026
Bollywood actor Bobby Deol recently opened up about several funny behind-the-scenes moments from the early phase of his film career, including playful pranks on co-stars Twinkle Khanna, Rani Mukerji, and Manisha Koirala.The actor made these revelations during his appearance on the popular
Kangana Ranaut Recalls 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Night: ‘We Were Dancing and Suddenly…’
Jun 03,2026
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut recently opened up about her personal memories from the night of the devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks while promoting her upcoming film Bharat Bhagya Vidhata.During the trailer launch event of the film, Kangana revealed that she was attending a party
‘She Was Faking It’: Madhuri Dixit Makes Shocking Revelation About Karisma Kapoor’s Dance Performance
Jun 02,2026
Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor remain one of Bollywood’s most iconic on-screen duos, especially for their unforgettable performances in the cult classic Dil To Pagal Hai.The film, which also starred Shah Rukh Khan, is still celebrated for its music, romance, and legendary d
Bobby Deol Reveals Who Can Play Dharmendra in His Biopic, Says ‘No One Can Replace Him’
Jun 02,2026
Bobby Deol is currently in the spotlight for his upcoming film Bandar, but the actor recently grabbed headlines for his emotional remarks about his late father and Bollywood legend Dharmendra. During his appearance on Aap Ki Adalat on India TV, Bobby Deol spoke candidly about Dhar
Entertainment News
‘She Was Faking It’: Madhu
Jun 02,2026
Bobby Deol Reveals Who Can Pla
Jun 02,2026
Cocktail 2 Trailer Out: Shahid
Jun 02,2026
Trophy in Hand, Love in the Ai
Jun 01,2026
Taapsee Pannu Reveals Extreme
Jun 01,2026