The Batman
Movie, 2022, Reeves, Set in Year two
The Batman is #23 of 26 in release order and #16 of 26 in chronological order in the Batman.
The story
In his second year of fighting crime, Batman uncovers corruption in Gotham City that connects to his own family while facing a serial killer known as the Riddler.
The Batman recap
In his second year as Batman, Bruce Wayne is a reclusive vigilante working with Lieutenant Jim Gordon. A masked killer, the Riddler, murders Gotham's mayor on election night and leaves riddles addressed to the Batman. He kills the police commissioner and the district attorney, exposing their ties to the mob boss Carmine Falcone and a drug called drops. Batman follows the trail through the Iceberg Lounge, run by Falcone's lieutenant Oz Cobb, the Penguin, and teams up with Selina Kyle, a waitress searching for her missing friend. The Riddler reveals that Thomas Wayne once asked Falcone to scare a journalist, who was then killed, and that the Renewal fund Bruce's father founded became a slush fund for the mob. Selina learns Falcone is her father.
The Batman ending explained
Selina tries to kill Falcone, Batman stops her, and the Riddler shoots Falcone dead. The arrested Riddler, Edward Nashton, has planted car bombs that break Gotham's sea wall, and his online followers attack the new mayor's rally. Batman saves the mayor and leads survivors out of the flood with a flare. In Arkham, the Riddler befriends an unseen inmate who laughs at him. Selina leaves for Bludhaven, and Batman resolves to be a symbol of hope.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. After the credits, a short text and voice clip from the Riddler says "goodbye?" and shows a website address. It is a tease, not a scene, and sets up nothing specific.
Where to watch The Batman
The Batman is streaming on HBO Max in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 85%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Joker, before Batman: Caped Crusader.
- Chronological order: after Joker: Folie à Deux, before The Penguin.
What to watch before The Batman
Nothing. The Batman (2022) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own.
Cast
- Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne / The Batman
- Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle
- Jeffrey Wright as Lt. James Gordon
- Colin Farrell as Oz / The Penguin
- Paul Dano as The Riddler
- John Turturro as Carmine Falcone
- Andy Serkis as Alfred
- Peter Sarsgaard as District Attorney Gil Colson
- Barry Keoghan as Unseen Arkham Prisoner
- Jayme Lawson as Bella Reál
- Gil Perez-Abraham as Officer Martinez
- Peter McDonald as Kenzie
Directed by Matt Reeves.