Robert Pattinson’s performance in The Batman is completely unique compared to other interpretations of the Dark Knight. Batman is a classic DC superhero with countless versions played by different actors throughout the generations. The brooding, deep-voiced character of the caped crusader is hard to capture, and with each actor comes a different Batman and Pattinson certainly makes the character his own.
Hollywood has been putting Batman on the big screen since the 1940s. Throughout the years, audiences have seen some of the best and some of the worst when it comes to casting. In 2022'sThe Batman, Robert Pattinson takes a different approach. Dubbed by some quarters of the internet as “emo Batman,” Pattinson’s performance is worlds apart from the likes of Christian Bale and Ben Affleck. The film itself, directed by Matt Reeves, takes on a noir aesthetic, focusing on Batman’s amazing detective skills that often go overlooked. It’s set only two years into Bruce Wayne’s vigilante hustle as Batman, making him younger than usual and helping him stand out from other Batman portrayals, such as Keaton's and Kilmer's.
What makes Robert Pattinson’s performance as Batman stand out is the vulnerability he brings to the character. Batman is known for being dark and brooding at times, but Robert Pattinson was able to take that to an entirely different level. In the film, Bruce Wayne wears dark, smudged eyeliner and writes in a journal. He displays clear outward sensitivity, something that isn’t really seen in many Batman interpretations. His youth allows him to relish in the drama of sadness and emotion, while also igniting a deep-rooted rage and need for revenge, hence his iconic quote, “I am vengeance.” Pattinson’s Batman is angry, emotional and undeniably great at solving crimes, helping him stand apart from other iterations of the character. Here's how his take compares to other live-action versions of the Caped Crusader.
Pattinson V. Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton kicked off a newfound Batman obsession when he starred in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film. Michael Keaton’s Batman was somewhere in between silly and dark, which perfectly fits the mood for a Tim Burton film. He made sure to capture a certain intensity that goes along with the character, while not taking it too far. In comparison, it’s likely that any silliness on Pattinson's part was unintentional. His overly sensitive, eyeliner-wearing rendition did occasionally create an air of ironic humor, in the same way Kylo Ren’s angry emo streak occasionally elicited a few laughs. Yet, the overall tone of The Batman compared to Burton's movie suggests that Pattinson's version ultimately represents a darker side of the vigilante, despite the pair's shared intensity.
Pattinson V. Val Kilmer and George Clooney
In 1995, Batman Forever was forged by director Joel Schumacher, who cast Val Kilmer as the caped crusader. Just a few years later, George Clooney was set to take on the role in the 1997 film Batman and Robin. Both performances were deemed forgettable, in large part due to the campy, colorful aesthetic of the two movies overshadowing much of the pair's performances. By contrast, Pattinson brought a tempestuous edge to the role, completely absent from Schumacher's duology. This helped the character stand out instead of letting him fade into the background. As a result. Robert Pattinson is undoubtedly the central, defining figure in his movie, whereas Val Kilmer and George Clooney function more as window-dressing with little emotional authenticity.
Pattinson V. Christian Bale
Rising from the ashes of a few bland and terrible Batman performances was Christian Bale. Cast in the critically acclaimed Christopher Nolan series, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Bale was able to bring Batman to life. A key difference between Pattinson and Bale is Batman’s voice. The character is supposed to have a deep voice and Bale took that very seriously, giving Batman a guttural tone. Pattinson, on the other hand, barely does a "Batman" voice. His voice mostly remains within a conventional vocal range, and it is certainly not the most exaggerated part of his performance by far.
Besides the voice, Bale played the perfect Batman. He was charming as Bruce Wayne and calculating, thoughtful and dark as Batman. His performance was complex, whereas Pattinson’s arguably leaned too far towards the emotional fragility of Batman. However, it should be noted that Pattinson played a younger version of Batman, before he was able to grow into his complexities – perhaps explaining the raw quality of his emotions.
Pattinson V. Ben Affleck
After Bale came Ben Affleck, the star of the DC extended universe. He definitely looked the part and had a sense of charisma that others tended to downplay. When it came to showing emotions within the character though, Affleck's version sadly fell short. His interpretation didn’t really display the flawed nature that made Christian Bale’s Batman so interesting. His rendition of the character was also more violent. Batman is by no means a gentle person, but Affleck’s version of him made sure the criminals he battled died very gruesome deaths. Pattinson might not have looked entirely the part, but he wasn’t overly violent and was able to display emotion better than Affleck. This emotional edge, while perhaps occasionally bordering on hysteria, arguably made Pattinson a much more relatable and human figure than Affleck's Dark Knight.
Why Christian Bale is The Best Batman
Ultimately, it's hard for any actor to compete with Christian Bale's performance as Batman. His version of the character was nuanced, deep and exactly what Batman is supposed to be. He was able to balance both dark and light in his performance, which is what made it so compelling. The thing that sets him apart from the rest is his ability to portray the character as relatable, yet undeniably flawed. Batman has a lot of baggage to say the least, and Bale was able to make that baggage his own and work the trauma into his performance. By contrast, other actors – Pattinson included – have perhaps struggled to make Bruce Wayne seem anything other than aloof, if still compelling. Playing an extremely flawed anti-hero is difficult, but Bale was able to do what no one else has done. He was able to show the humanity within Batman.
It cannot be denied that Robert Pattinson delivers an engaging performance in The Batman, but that quality is what makes his interpretation different from the rest. Before Pattinson, there was no smudged eyeliner, sensitive, detective version of Batman, and it’s great to see something new for the character. The actor is set to reprise his role of Batman in the sequel to the 2022 film, potentially allowing him to develop the character into something that eventually eclipses Bale. For now, however, the British actor remains head of the Bat Family.