Director Matt Reeves went in big for the shock value to be found in The Batman, which stars Robert Pattinson as the titular protagonist. The movie’s main premise is about Batman’s hunt for The Riddler, who’s portrayed as a vigilante serial killer in this interpretation of DC’s comic book universe.
Unlike many other superhero movie features, The Batman packed in a lot of surprises by subverting genre conventions. There were several aspects relating to the characters’ personalities and motivations that viewers might not have seen coming, in addition to certain shocking reveals and directional choices. Since the movie’s received widespread praise, it’s worth looking into the points that really surprised the fans.
The Riddler's Brutality
The Riddler was by no means the best fighter in The Batman, yet racked up quite the kill count. What was shocking about him was the fact that the audience is used to the more campy Riddler from the comics and prior depictions, making them unequipped to expect such a brutal version.
The movie started off with Riddler straight-up committing a violent murder, which wasn’t how most would have expected The Batman to start off. The Riddler had no problem with leaving out bloody messes of his victims, making him comparable to horror movie villains.
The Reveal Of Thomas Wayne's Association With Carmine Falcone
Thomas Wayne is a character who's always portrayed as an upstanding member of the community. However, The Batman brought a twist that revealed he had hired Carmine Falcone to seemingly assault a journalist who had information about Martha’s mental illness.
Falcone twisted it further by claiming that Thomas had wanted him to kill the man, although Alfred rejected that notion. Still, the idea that Thomas Wayne could ever have strayed away from the morally sound person Batman fans have seen him as for decades wasn’t something to be expected.
The Near-Absence Of The Bruce Wayne Persona
The idea that Batman is the true personality and Bruce Wayne the mask has floated around for a long time, but viewers still expect to see Bruce in a Batman movie. Here, the Bruce Wayne persona barely existed for the character, who pretty much saw himself as Batman through and through.
Moreover, Bruce was shown to be a complete recluse, to the point where Gotham citizens were shocked to see him in person at the funeral. The audience was also not given much reason to become attached to Bruce since he showed up primarily in his Batman persona, even rejecting the aspects that made him Bruce Wayne.
The Joker's Surprise Appearance At Arkham
Quite a lot of fan reactions for The Batman have been directed at Robert Pattinson, although quite a few also noted the arrival of The Joker. Batman’s archenemy showed up in the climax, befriending Edward Nashton at Arkham. The shocking aspect wasn’t his debut, but the fact that Joker was already incarcerated.
The Joker is traditionally presented as a villain whom only Batman has been able to capture, and even then the Caped Crusader has to endure a lot of pain. Seeing Joker in Arkham opens up many questions as to how he got there, while a lot of fans will be sour over the fact that someone other than Batman might have bested him.
The Horror Elements Of Gotham City
There were more than a few scary things that happened in The Batman, and they were dark even for a superhero known for dabbling with such themes. The DCEU and MCU’s rather casual style has made viewers expect some comedy and action, but The Batman veered toward the horror aspect of things.
Gotham City was filled with terrifying people and events, ranging from gangs who tormented citizens, Batman himself who beat them to a pulp, and frequent attacks from The Riddler that left crime scenes that were hard to watch. This kind of aesthetic has seldom been broached in superhero material, even less with a big-budget movie series like Batman.
The Bleak Ending
Batman movies usually leave viewers with a sense of hope as a way to drive home the idea that Batman will make things right. While this film also had the Dark Knight embracing his superhero potential, it still ended on a down note since Gotham City was in shambles due to the flood.
Batman didn’t fully take up the mantle of Gotham’s protector and only acknowledged that he wasn’t doing enough. Meanwhile, Selina Kyle’s departure, The Joker and Riddler’s friendship, and Penguin’s ascension as the crime lord were a recipe for disaster that went unresolved by the end.
The Hostility Between Bruce And Alfred
Bruce and Alfred’s relationship has been without question for decades, with fans perceiving Alfred’s presence to be a safe place. However, The Batman showed Alfred and Bruce to be at odds, so much so that Bruce outright stated that he didn’t see Alfred as a father figure.
Bruce wasn’t receptive to Alfred’s concerns, as he was shown brushing away Alfred’s words of advice. Although he inherently did care about Alfred since Batman rushed to try and save him from Riddler’s explosive, the pair’s relationship was far from the heartwarming bond it traditionally is.
The Similarities Between Batman And The Riddler
The biggest head-turning moment of the film arrived when Batman was shocked to hear Riddler’s goon claim that he was “vengeance,” which was Batman’s motto. It turned out that Riddler committed all his crimes because he was inspired by Batman, as Nashton claimed he saw himself and Bruce to be kindred spirits.
What’s surprising is how easy it was to see Nashton’s point, since this version of Batman had no personal connection with the people he saved. Both the hero and villain took matters into their own hands in violent ways without the approval of the law, so Batman’s horrifying realization over this fact served as a real eye-opener.