10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Matt Reeves’ The Batman

As a critic, I have to admit, Matt Reeves’ The Batman really surprised me. After Christopher Nolan’s take on the character, a lot of us wondered if we’d ever get another Batman film we could truly embrace. And Reeves delivered. Robert Pattinson, a casting choice many doubted, absolutely nailed the role. What really stood out was the film’s focus on detective work – it felt like a true Batman: Year One adaptation, especially with the portrayal of Catwoman. Gotham itself felt alive, overflowing with villains. So, it’s no surprise fans were incredibly disappointed – and vocal about it – when news of delays surrounding The Batman: Part II started surfacing. They were hungry for more, and understandably so.

The spin-off series The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell and Cristina Milioti, offered fans a temporary fix. However, those excited for The Batman: Part II and planning a rewatch of the original The Batman should be aware that while the first film remains good, it now contains several foreshadowing elements that don’t quite align with the planned sequel. Be prepared for plot points, casting choices, and narrative details that may seem out of place now, knowing what’s coming next.

The Batman is Just Se7en in The Dark Knight’s Clothing — And That’s a Huge Problem

Matt Reeves’ The Batman clearly draws inspiration from films like David Fincher’s Se7en. You can see it in details like the killer’s voice and the film’s dark, rainy atmosphere. While it’s common for movies to pay homage to classics, The Batman sometimes feels too similar to Se7en, just with Batman as the main character. The more you watch it, the more it seems like a simple concept: ‘What if Se7en starred Batman?’

Superhero movies often depend on the success and style of older, critically acclaimed films rather than creating their own unique identities. For example, Joker was frequently described as Taxi Driver with a clown theme, and The Batman felt like a retelling of Se7en using comic book characters. While The Batman effectively captured the atmosphere of the original film, it raises the question of what the movie could have been if it had moved beyond simply imitating its influences.

The Batman Crime Saga Needed Its Spin-Offs

The recent Batman movie intentionally created a rich and detailed version of Gotham City, filled with characters ripe for their own stories. Initially, it seemed like we’d get to see many of those stories developed through a series of spin-off shows. Several projects were announced, including a drama focused on the Gotham City Police Department and a horror series set in Arkham Asylum. However, only The Penguin actually moved forward, and it proved to be a big success. Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin made the show a must-watch, and the unexpected appearance of Sofia Falcone, played by Cristina Milioti, created a lot of buzz.

Despite all the initial excitement, these spin-off shows aren’t going to happen, and likely never will. The planned Gotham PD series and the Arkham show were both cancelled, probably because of James Gunn’s overall plans for the new DC Universe. While Gunn didn’t directly say his vision caused the cancellations, he confirmed in an interview with BobaTalks that the projects were no longer in development, stating simply, “It just didn’t work.” This strongly suggests that the DC Universe’s reboot disrupted Matt Reeves’ plans for a connected “Batman Crime Saga.”

The Joker is the Worst Part of The Batman

Despite being a carefully crafted, nearly three-hour mystery, The Batman missteps by introducing a cameo from the Joker at the very end. Barry Keoghan plays the Joker, and a deleted scene shows Robert Pattinson’s Batman questioning him at Arkham Asylum. However, director Matt Reeves presents the Joker as a small, complaining figure obscured by poor lighting and heavy makeup, making his dialogue difficult to understand. Instead of building anticipation for future films, this scene, along with a brief appearance by the Riddler, feels like too much and clutters the story and Reeves’ overall vision.

Three Hours of The Batman is A Lot to Chew On

The inclusion of the Joker doesn’t solve the problem of The Batman‘s length, which runs at two hours and fifty-six minutes. While that runtime felt justified during its initial theatrical release – it’s a dark, deliberate detective story that needs room to unfold – revisiting it at home can be a different experience. When you’re less excited and more aware of similar movies, it can feel slow and drawn-out. The film is intentionally paced, and it works best when viewed in a dark movie theater, especially given its Halloween atmosphere. It’s less engaging when watching on Blu-ray or a tablet.

As a big Batman fan, I have to say The Batman feels like it has two endings. First, they wrap up the Riddler, but then there’s this whole extended flood sequence that honestly felt a bit too long. And then you get that Joker tease at the very end! It all adds up to a pretty intense finish. What I really appreciated was seeing Batman change throughout the film – starting as this guy completely focused on revenge, and ultimately becoming a symbol of hope for Gotham. The final scene, with him rescuing people at sunrise, is a really beautiful, simple moment. But honestly, with everything else going on, I worry that a lot of viewers might miss just how much his character actually develops. There’s a lot around that moment that could overshadow it.

Robert Pattinson’s Batman is a Great Detective, is Bad at Basically Everything Else

Matt Reeves delivered what fans of The Batman wanted most: a focus on Batman as “The World’s Greatest Detective.” Robert Pattinson’s portrayal shows a Batman who actively solves mysteries, analyzes evidence, and obsessively follows clues—a truly cerebral hero. While it’s great to see this side of the character for longtime fans, it feels like this intelligence comes at the expense of his abilities in other areas.

Honestly, watching Bruce Wayne is… awkward. He’s so withdrawn and tries so hard to be brooding, it feels forced. He barely leaves his mansion, it’s like he’s completely shut off from the world. And as a businessman? He doesn’t seem to have a clue. Even when he’s Batman, he’s not the cool, collected hero you’d expect. Remember that time he tried to escape the GCPD? It was a disaster! He ran around like crazy, launched his glider way too early, and ended up crashing right into a tunnel. It wasn’t exactly a smooth getaway, to say the least.

Reeves aimed to portray Batman as a young, inexperienced hero—a troubled figure sacrificing himself for Gotham. However, looking at the film again, he comes across as clumsy and ineffective in his role.

Bruce Wayne is the Meanest (Non-Villain) Character in the Movie

The new Batman movie excels at developing the backgrounds of its characters and making us understand their motivations. We see The Riddler as a product of Gotham’s failures, Selina Kyle as the abandoned child of a powerful crime boss, and Penguin as someone who fought hard to survive – a story that’s expanded upon in his own series. However, the movie surprisingly neglects to fully explore Bruce Wayne’s backstory. Despite also being let down by the system, and having more advantages and support (especially from Alfred), Bruce comes across as the most small-minded, bitter, and emotionally distant character.

The most painful moment in The Batman comes after Alfred nearly dies. Bruce wakes up badly burned and bandaged from a bombing, and Alfred gives a tearful apology, revealing painful truths about Bruce’s family. But instead of showing concern, thanks, or affection, Bruce lashes out with harsh accusations. This scene is incredibly powerful and emotionally complex, but it’s so shocking it makes you question everything you thought you knew about Bruce Wayne.

Catwoman & Batman’s Romance Needed More Attention

Zoë Kravitz’s portrayal of Selina Kyle, or Catwoman, captured the essence of the character as fans remember it – the iconic leather look, confident attitude, and undeniable charisma. However, the connection between Catwoman and Bruce Wayne felt underdeveloped. They shared a few encounters and teamed up a similar number of times, but the movie ends abruptly, expecting viewers to feel deeply saddened by their separation. The issue is that director Matt Reeves didn’t build a strong enough emotional connection or shared history between them to make that heartbreak truly resonate.

Think about the captivating dynamic between Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Keaton in Batman Returns—their complicated connection felt so alive because director Tim Burton really built it over time. Or consider Anne Hathaway and Christian Bale, whose unspoken connection hinted at a deeper bond forming during their final escape. Pattinson and Kravitz definitely have chemistry, but that spark alone isn’t the same as a fully developed relationship.

The Wait Between The Batman and The Batman: Part II Was Way Too Long

The first Batman film came out in March 2022, and the sequel, The Batman: Part II, is currently scheduled for October 2026. This means a four-and-a-half-year wait after a film that left audiences wanting more. The movie ended with a disaster in Gotham and a new direction for Batman, clearly setting up a continuation. However, by the time the sequel arrives, the initial excitement may have faded. Fans who loved the first film will have moved on, and Robert Pattinson, who plays Batman, will be over 40, potentially making it challenging to convincingly portray a young Dark Knight who’s only been fighting crime for two years.

When asked about the delays facing The Batman II, the actor expressed hope that filming will begin soon. He joked that he started as a young Batman and will be an ‘old Batman’ by the time the sequel is made, noting he’s already 38. Cristina Milioti’s acclaimed performance as Sofia Falcone in The Penguin has sparked renewed interest in the world of The Batman. However, there’s no confirmation she’ll be in the sequel, and even if she is, she’s likely to have a supporting role. The actor also pointed out that waiting too long to continue a story can lead audiences to lose interest.

Matt Reeves Repeats Christopher Nolan’s Biggest Mistake in The Batman

The new Batman film attempts to be both a high-quality drama and a comic book movie, but ultimately falls short. It aims for prestige with its serious tone, acclaimed actors, and inspiration from classic crime films, all wrapped in a DC Comics setting. While this approach isn’t new, it again denies fans what they’ve wanted for years: a Batman that truly feels like it came from the comics. The Riddler, for example, is portrayed as a dark and disturbing serial killer rather than the quirky, puzzle-obsessed villain fans know. The film also omits many of Batman’s most colorful and unique adversaries, like Clayface, Mr. Freeze, and Poison Ivy, losing some of what makes the character special.

The filmmakers did a great job portraying Catwoman, The Penguin, and The Riddler, but the approach felt too similar to the choices made in Christopher Nolan’s Batman films. Nolan’s trilogy also suffered from this – his villains, like Ra’s al Ghul, Bane, and Scarecrow, lacked the fantastical qualities that define them in the comics. By following the same path, the new films risk repeating those same issues.

The DCU Distraction Is Too Much: Did James Gunn’s Vision Make The Batman Unwatchable?

It’s tricky to enjoy The Batman now because of what’s happening with the DC Universe. Shortly after the film came out in March 2022, James Gunn and Peter Safran took charge of DC Studios and announced a complete reboot. This included a new Batman movie that won’t feature Robert Pattinson. Gunn then categorized The Batman as an “Elseworld” story – meaning it exists outside the main DC Universe and won’t connect to the upcoming Superman film or other projects. This creates a constant feeling that the film is separate, making it hard to fully immerse yourself when rewatching it.

It’s frustrating for general moviegoers that Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t committed to a clear direction for The Batman. Seeing it now highlights that this critically acclaimed version of Batman feels isolated, with no connections to a broader DC universe or potential team-ups with characters like Superman or the Lanterns. A standalone Batman story is perfectly acceptable, but it’s disappointing for those who hoped for more interconnected films in the future.

2025-11-14 19:40