Questions
Should I watch it?
What is the plot?
In the dark, gritty streets of Gotham City, we open on a brooding Bruce Wayne, two years into his vigilante career as Batman. The city is plagued by corruption and crime, and on Halloween night, a brutal murder occurs - the first victim of the Riddler, a serial killer who targets Gotham's political elite.
The Riddler begins systematically killing prominent city officials, leaving cryptic, puzzle-like messages for Batman at each crime scene. Each victim is found with an elaborate card and a personalized riddle that reveals deep, dark secrets about Gotham's systemic corruption.
Batman, working closely with Lieutenant James Gordon, begins investigating these murders. They discover the victims are connected to a long-buried conspiracy involving Gotham's most powerful families and an orphanage from years ago. The Riddler's targets are not random, but carefully chosen to expose a generational cover-up of massive municipal corruption.
As Batman digs deeper, he encounters Selina Kyle, a cat burglar with her own connections to the victims and a personal vendetta. Together, they uncover that the Riddler is targeting those involved in a massive embezzlement scheme that stole charitable funds meant for orphans.
The Riddler's ultimate plan is to flood Gotham, destroying the city's infrastructure and killing thousands, as a form of radical vengeance against the corrupt system. He sees Batman as a potential ally in his mission of city-wide retribution.
In a climactic confrontation, Batman must stop the Riddler's elaborate terrorist plot, save the city from destruction, and confront the painful truths about Gotham's systemic failures. The film ends with Batman realizing he must be more than just a vigilante, but a symbol of hope and genuine change for Gotham.
What is the ending?
⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal
Short narrative: Batman defeats the Riddler's citywide terrorist plot, stops his followers from flooding Gotham, and helps rebuild the city while continuing his mission to fight crime.
Expanded narrative: In the climactic finale, Batman confronts the Riddler's elaborate plan to destroy Gotham. After the Riddler's followers breach the city's seawall, massive flooding engulfs Gotham, causing widespread destruction. Batman, alongside Catwoman and Jim Gordon, works to save survivors and stop the remaining terrorists.
During the flood, Batman uses his newfound connection with the city's people, rescuing civilians and providing hope. He helps evacuate citizens from flooded areas, using his grappling equipment and physical strength to assist those in danger. The scene is chaotic, with water rushing through streets, buildings partially submerged, and panicked citizens seeking safety.
The Riddler's followers, wearing distinctive masks, continue their assault, but Batman systematically neutralizes them. In a pivotal moment, Batman realizes the Riddler's ultimate goal was not just destruction, but to expose the corruption and systemic failures of Gotham's institutions.
As the flood waters recede, Batman emerges as a symbol of resilience and hope, helping to rebuild the city and inspiring its citizens. The ending suggests this is just the beginning of his mission to truly transform Gotham, showing a more compassionate and connected version of the vigilante.
Is this family friendly?
The Batman (2022) is rated PG-13 and is not considered a family-friendly film for young children. The movie contains several potentially upsetting elements:
- Dark and intense themes
- Violent scenes with criminal activity
- Graphic crime scene depictions
- Psychological thriller elements
- Some disturbing imagery related to the villain
- Moderate to strong language
- Scenes of peril and physical confrontations
The film is much more mature and gritty compared to previous Batman movies, and is more suitable for teenagers and adults. Parents might want to preview the movie before allowing younger teens to watch it.