Selina Kyle is a driven badass, however shes still presented with a lingering pan up her stiletto boots to her tight skirt, before the video camera (and Batman) voyeuristically see her undress.Batman is clearly connected to the Riddlers voyeurism and violence, questioning his techniques more than previous movies. Its likewise the very first Batman movie to engage with the revisionist take that Bruce Wayne is a wealthy guy whose hobby is hospitalizing bad individuals. Like the Joker film, The Batman checks out the radicalizing effect of inequality on a repressed people.
Movies Coming in 2022 From Marvel, Netflix, DC and More
Youve seen a loads of Batman films, but you still need to steel yourself for the darkest Dark Knight yet. Starring Robert Pattinson as DCs Caped Crusader, 2022s new motion picture The Batman was a hit in theaters and heads for streaming service HBO Max on April 18. From its horror film opening to the teasing final credits, its an extreme, apocalyptic cinematic experience.Following the murder of his parents (you know that bit by now), a struggling and young Bruce Wayne is two years into a bat-themed crusade versus Gotham City street criminal offense. Hes formed an alliance with upstanding police Jim Gordon, but nothing prepares them for a chillingly prepared series of atrocities by a macabre masked killer who leaves fiendish puzzles with each victim. As Batman unpicks the cryptic clues, the examination peels away a higher conspiracy. However the real riddle is how the ranting killers twisted intention ties back to Batman himself.As that synopsis recommends, The Batman is hardly a superhero movie. Director Matt Reeves, who co-wrote the script with Peter Craig, shovels previous Bat-films into one roaring heater: There are notes of Tim Burtons gothy angst, Christopher Nolans criminal politics and Zack Snyders operatic brutality, plus the standalone Joker films mental backstory, slightly ageless style and layers of dark irony.But its likewise more of an investigator secret than previous Bat-flicks, obtaining in particular from David Finchers serial killer chillers Seven and Zodiac. And its a gangster film. Also a 70s conspiracy thriller. And a non-stop bleak movie noir. Most of all, however, The Batman is a scary movie. In 1989, pearl-clutching moms and dads were stunned and appalled by Tim Burtons Batman. The tights-wearing amusing book hero who biffed, powed and zapped cartoon villains was replaced by a distressed weirdo in black rubber fetish equipment, trading blows with a giggling, acid-scarred psychopath. In Britain, they even had to create a new ranking classification for the movie.Lets not enter the perennial argument amongst fans about whether superhero motion pictures must be for kids or for grown-ups. You definitely 100% cant reveal The Batman to a child. This new flick is PG-13 in the United States, however its on an entire other level to the relatively bloodless Dark Knight films– and on a various world from any Marvel film– immersing you in a nerve-shredding 3 hours of escalating fear and simmering pain garnished with some remarkably nasty touches. The Batman handles a serial killer.
Jonathan Olley/DC
Batman himself stalks from the shadows with a heavy tread and heavier fists, meting out ruthless vengeance with a chilling absence of affect behind his mask.Pattinsons Batman (Battinson? Pattinson genuinely inhabits the Batman, expressing misery with just his perfectly angled jaw and emotional eyes gazing from underneath the black mask. Still, you could probably shave down the legendary 2 hour and 47 minute runtime if there was a bit less of Batman slowly … walking … and … meaningfully … gazing … For all his powerful combating abilities and investigator expertise, this Batman is hardly holding it together.
Jonathan Olley/DC
If you were wondering whether theres any room for a fresh take after 14 films, its really remarkably stimulating to see a Caped Crusader whos more human– not simply Bruce Wayne, however as the Batman himself. One of the highlights of the movie is when Batman does something weve seen the character do a million times, however its clear from Pattinsons little wince this is the very first time hes done it. Instead of a shiny modern speedster or city-conquering tank, Pattinsons Batman drives a vehicle thats as unhinged as he is.
Zoë Kravitz and Robert Pattinson are the Catwoman and the Batman for 2022.
Jonathan Olley/DC
See all photos
2022s Best television Shows You Cant Miss on Netflix, HBO, Disney Plus and More
See all images
Get the CNET Culture newsletter
Starring Robert Pattinson as DCs Caped Crusader, 2022s brand-new film The Batman was a hit in theaters and heads for streaming service HBO Max on April 18. The real riddle is how the ranting killers twisted motive ties back to Batman himself.As that synopsis suggests, The Batman is hardly a superhero film. Batman himself stalks from the shadows with a heavy tread and heavier fists, meting out ruthless revenge with a chilling lack of affect behind his mask.Pattinsons Batman (Battinson? Still, you might probably shave down the legendary 2 hour and 47 minute runtime if there was a bit less of Batman gradually … walking … and … meaningfully … looking … For all his formidable fighting skills and investigator expertise, this Batman is barely holding it together. If you were questioning whether theres any space for a fresh take after 14 motion pictures, its really remarkably invigorating to see a Caped Crusader whos more human– not just Bruce Wayne, but as the Batman himself.
Explore films, games, superheroes and more with CNET Culture. Delivered Tuesdays and Fridays.