Contains minor spoilers.

In the shadows of Gotham, a city contaminated with corruption and crime, there is a person who even the most fearsome criminals are afraid of, whose footsteps can be heard in every dark alley, and who seemed to be created by the depths of the city itself.  The classic Batman character, played by Robert Pattinson, is recreated again by director Matt Reeves, who pulls the audience into the action-packed story of a disguised, dark, and vengeful creature, who with only a signal of a bat, gives the city of Gotham hope. 

“The Batman” kicks off panning through the city of Gotham,  probably one of the most notorious and crime-filled cities in the DC universe — why anyone would want to live in Gotham is unknown to me except for maybe one reason: the masked vigilante Batman. As with all vigilantes, Batman faces a pressure to do the right thing to protect his beloved home through an unconventional route, which puts him in several difficult situations.

The largest difference between “The Batman” and previous Batman movies is the way Bruce Wayne is portrayed. Far gone is the charismatic billionaire, who charms everyone he meets. In “The Batman,” Bruce Wayne is regarded as strange and cold. He will often stare into unknown spaces, or leave those he is talking to in confusion and frustration. We also see a more vulnerable side of Batman; in past movies, such as “The Dark Knight,” Batman will disappear into the darkness with a sort of magician’s talent; however, in “The Batman” we see more realistic explanations for his stunts, including the pain of his excursions and the not-so-perfect aftermaths. The background of Bruce’s parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne, is also explored more, something rarely talked about in the most recent Batman movies. The revelations of Bruce’s parents leave his character grappling with a new definition of his parents that he never considered. 

The realization that Bruce’s parents may not have been who he thought they were appears through  this movie’s villain, The Riddler, played by Paul Dano.  He repeatedly attempts to convince Batman that he is more of a villain and enemy to Gotham than a hero. This internal struggle is more present in the past Batman movies, which always queues a narration from Bruce Wayne trying to make sense of his identity and why he takes this role on. However, although his persona is not necessarily the definition of who most people would picture as a hero, with a bright suit and big promises, Batman is exactly what the crime-ridden city of Gotham needs. 

The most anticipated antihero of  “The Batman,” Catwoman, was played by Zoë Kravitz. Unlike past movies, Selina Kyle is shown as a more vulnerable character like Batman, as she has people she relies on and loves. However, as shown in previous movies, Catwoman continues to challenge Bruce on his decision to maintain his hero lifestyle or to embrace his dark side, all while battling her own problems. Throughout the movie we see the two characters play a game of right versus wrong with dramatic scenes placed on the top of skyscrapers surrounded by the sunset, or chases with the Batmobile through the streets of Gotham. 

Although “The Batman” was under a lot of pressure from the success of the past movies, “The Batman” did extremely well. The twisted tale of a tortured hero, masked as a dark creature, is a revered story that represents hope in the most unlikely and seemingly unrepairable places, and it will continue to inspire and be loved for decades to come. 

“The Batman” is currently available in theaters.