Along with the other iconic Batman characters, The Batman saw the return of Catwoman to the big screen. Zoë Kravitz earned high praise for her fresh take on the character while still feeling like the Catwoman fans know and love. Of course, Kravitz is not the only big-screen Catwoman as Anne Hathaway took on the role in The Dark Knight Rises.
Certainly, there are a lot of similarities to find in these two interpretations of Catwoman, but it is more interesting to look at the ways in which Kravitz and Hathaway differed. From their own performances to the way she played into the story, the actors created two very distinct versions of Catwoman.
Cats
Though Catwoman earns her name thanks to her skills as a cat burglar, she has also had a strong connection to cats over the course of her history. This is hinted at very briefly yet effectively in The Batman as Selina's apartment is filled with cats since she has "a thing about strays."
Hathaway's version of Catwoman doesn't share that connection with felines. Though it is a small detail it does make it feel like there is something missing from this take on the character that feels less sympathetic than Kravitz's version.
Connection To Villains
Catwoman is often seen as one of Batman's foes, but the movies have shown that there are other villains much worse than her. However, she often shares a connection with them such as with Hathaway's take on the character who is hired by Bane to help lure Batman into a trap.
Kravitz's Catwoman also appears to be an ally to the villains at first, working at Penguin's club and having a previous connection to Carmine Falcone. In the end, she is shown to be playing these crime figures to serve a more noble cause.
Her Costume
Both The Batman and The Dark Knight Rises are more grounded takes on the Batman story. As a result, they attempt to go for more realistic looks for the characters. However, with Hathaway's version of the Catwoman costume, the tight body suit and eye mask feels over the top and not very practical in this world.
On the other hand, Kravitz's costume is a more minimalistic approach that works very effectively. She looks like a real cat burglar instead of someone dressing ridiculously to pull off crimes. Yet the costume still feels like a Catwoman look.
Blending In
A big part of both versions of Catwoman is their ability to hide in plain sight. However, they do this in very different ways. In Kravitz's version, she finds a way to keep an eye on things without drawing too much attention.
However, it is Hathaway's ability to be a chameleon in any situation that is the best part of her performance. Watching her switch effortlessly from her fake damsel in distress persona to a confident badass is so cool to see and very impressive.
Boldness
Both Kravitz and Hathaway bring a lot of confidence to their roles as Catwoman, but some of that is betrayed by the story they are in. For Kravitz's version, she is a very bold and fearless person who is not afraid to take matters into her own hands.
Hathaway's Catwoman can certainly control most of the rooms she walks into, but she becomes a much more passive player in the story. She lives in fear of her past and of the dangerous criminals like Bane, robbing her of many of her own choices.
Importance In The Story
The Dark Knight Rises is a particularly epic superhero story and is packed with characters. As a result, Hathaway's Catwoman doesn't play a huge role in the overall story. After being introduced and helping to get the action moving, she sort of disappears until the climax.
Though Kravitz's Catwoman is introduced later, she plays a key role throughout the movie. In many ways, the movie is just as much about her journey as it is about Bruce Wayne's journey which makes them a compelling duo.
Selflessness
Catwoman has always been a bit of a lone figure and Hathaway's version really leans into this. She is not a villain, but she is only concerned with saving herself for much of the movie with her arc leading to her helping Batman save the city in the end.
Kravitz's Catwoman certainly has the same independent spirit as she doesn't need Batman to help her. But she is also more caring of others and does her best to protect and avenge the people she loves.
Distrust With Batman
In both movies, after a confrontational first meeting, Batman and Catwoman begin working together. However, as they are two very different people, it is a tenuous relationship without much trust. For Kravitz's Catwoman, she feels she is being used by Batman for his own investigation while she wants to help her friend.
It is quite the opposite for Hathaway's Catwoman as she ends up using Batman. She makes him believe she is helping him find Bane only to lure him into a trap in order to save herself.
Romance With Bruce
Despite the distrust, there is often an element of romance between Catwoman and Batman. However, this is played down considerably in The Dark Knight Rises with any real romantic elements emerging in the final moments of the movie and seeming to come out of nowhere.
The romance between Kravitz's Catwoman and Pattinson's Batman is far more prominent in The Batman. It feels as if these two are outcasts who have found understanding and acceptance with each other in a surprisingly touching way.
Her Ending
At the end of both of these movies, the romance with Batman plays an important role in how Catwoman's story concludes. Interestingly enough, though their romance was underplayed, it is Hathaway's Catwoman who gets the happy ending with Batman as they leave Gotham to start a new life.
When it comes to Kravitz's Catwoman and Pattinson's Batman, they share a stronger connection but ultimately realize their future together is impossible. The image of them parting ways at the end of the movie speaks to how important their relationship was to the story.