The Batman (2022)
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In his second year fighting crime, Batman must navigate a web of corruption and a deadly serial killer in Gotham City.
The story
In Gotham City, a masked serial killer known as the Riddler begins a campaign of terror against the city's elite. Batman, a reclusive billionaire and vigilante in his second year of crime-fighting, teams up with Lieutenant Jim Gordon to investigate the murders. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a web of corruption involving high-ranking officials and powerful crime bosses. Batman must navigate his own complicated history and the growing threat of the Riddler, who leaves cryptic clues at every crime scene, while trying to uncover the truth behind the city's systemic rot.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
On Halloween, the Riddler murders Gotham's mayor and leaves a message for Batman. Batman and Lieutenant Jim Gordon begin investigating the Riddler's crimes, which include the murder of the police commissioner. They discover a conspiracy involving the Penguin, a crime boss, and several corrupt officials. During the investigation, Batman encounters Selina Kyle, a cat burglar who is also searching for her missing friend. The trail leads them to a ruined orphanage, revealing the Riddler's personal vendetta against the Wayne family. Simultaneously, Batman's mentor, Alfred, is injured by a bomb. The investigation uncovers that the Riddler is Edward Nashton, a forensic accountant seeking to expose Gotham's corruption. After a series of confrontations, the Riddler is unmasked and captured. However, Nashton's followers trigger a series of explosions that flood Gotham. In the aftermath, Batman realizes he must move beyond seeking vengeance and instead work to inspire hope in the city. Selina Kyle leaves Gotham, and Batman continues to aid the recovery efforts.
- First release year
- 2022
- Runtime (minutes)
- 176
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Matt Reeves
- Writers
- Matt Reeves · writer; Peter Craig · writer
- Cast and characters
- Robert Pattinson · Bruce Wayne / Batman; Zoë Kravitz · Selina Kyle / Catwoman; Paul Dano · Edward Nashton / The Riddler; Jeffrey Wright · Jim Gordon; John Turturro · Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard · Gil Colson; Andy Serkis · Alfred Pennyworth; Colin Farrell · Oz / The Penguin
- Genres
- superhero; action; thriller; crime
- Themes
- class conflict; inequality; trauma; grief
- Tone and mood
- noir; grim; gritty
- Premise and plot tags
- detective; serial killer; corruption
- Source material / true-story basis
- DC Comics
- Franchise connections
- Batman
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, praising the direction, performances, cinematography, and score, while some noted the long runtime and third act as points of criticism. It was a commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2022.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 72 · scale: 100 · review count: 68; CinemaScore · score: A- · scale: A- to F; PostTrak · score: 87% · scale: percentage
- Production trivia
- The production used StageCraft virtual production technology.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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