The Batman
The Batman
When a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, the Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.
Manuel Frangis reviewedApril 10, 2025
I just watched The Batman and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. This version of Batman is darker, moodier, and more serious than anything we have seen before. It is not trying to be a superhero blockbuster filled with explosions and quippy one-liners. Instead, it feels more like a detective thriller that just happens to have a guy in a bat suit. That shift in tone really works, but it is also what makes this movie feel so different.
Robert Pattinson plays a younger, more raw version of Bruce Wayne. He is not the billionaire playboy here. He is quiet, intense, and completely locked into the Batman side of himself. You can tell this Bruce has not figured out how to balance his two identities yet, and that makes him more interesting to watch. Pattinson plays him with a lot of restraint, and it fits the mood of the movie perfectly.
The story is slow and methodical. This is not about big action scenes every few minutes. It is about solving a mystery. The Riddler is leaving behind clues, and Batman is actually being a detective for once. That part of the movie really stood out to me. It felt more grounded and gave the story a kind of noir feel. The case keeps building, and you are right there with him trying to figure out what is going to happen next.
Paul Dano as the Riddler is creepy and intense. He is not the cartoonish version from the past. He is serious and disturbing, and his presence adds a lot of tension. Zoe Kravitz is also great as Selina Kyle. She brings depth and a sharp edge to her character, and the scenes between her and Batman have just the right amount of tension and emotion.
The movie looks incredible. Gotham is dark, rainy, and full of shadows. Every scene is shot with care, and the cinematography makes the city feel like a character of its own. The use of lighting, especially the red tones and the heavy shadows, gives it this gritty, almost horror movie atmosphere. It is not just stylish—it adds to the mood and tone in a big way.
The soundtrack and score are also fantastic. The main Batman theme is simple but powerful. It builds slowly and keeps playing in the back of your mind, and it fits this version of the character perfectly. The music helps carry the mood and tension, especially in scenes that have no dialogue.
If there is one reason I did not give it a full 5 stars, it is the runtime. This movie is long. Almost three hours. And while a lot of it is really well done, there are moments that definitely could have been trimmed. Some scenes go on longer than they need to, and it starts to drag a little in the middle. I liked the slower pacing overall, but a tighter edit would have made it even better.
I give The Batman 4 out of 5 stars because it is a bold and serious take on a character we have seen so many times before. It is not flashy, but it is stylish, smart, and full of atmosphere. It is a Batman movie that finally takes the detective side seriously, and that alone makes it stand out. Overall The Batman is a moody, intense crime story that gives us a new side of the Dark Knight. I really enjoyed it, and I am excited to see where this version of the character goes next.