Arriving today, The Batman in UK cinemas is intended to herald the start of a new trilogy. Early reviews have been generally positive, and have suggested that the film is very different to it predecessors. Director Matt Reeves seems to agree, having likened The Batman to a horror movie.

The movie’s official synopsis suggests the film may show a different side of Batman. From this early description and director Matt Reeves’ own statements, we’re expecting to see much more of Batman as ‘the world’s greatest detective’.

The Batman UK cinemas

The Batman Synopsis

“Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman, striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City.  With only a few trusted allies – Alfred Pennyworth, Lt. James Gordon – amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens. 

“When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman, Oswald Cobblepot aka the Penguin, Carmine Falcone, and Edward Nashton aka the Riddler. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.”

Thanks to… Kurt Cobain?

Reeves of course chimed in on that darker aspect. The film’s director has stated that much of the film’s vibe owes a lot to the late Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.

“When I write, I listen to music, and as I was writing the first act, I put on Nirvana’s ‘Something In The Way’.

“That’s when it came to me that, rather than make Bruce Wayne the playboy version we’ve seen before, there’s another version who had gone through a great tragedy and become a recluse. So I started making this connection to Gus Van Sant’s Last Days, and the idea of this fictionalised version of Kurt Cobain being in this kind of decaying manor.”

Matt Reeves, Empire Magazine

In another interview, Reeves added that The Batman “is the most intricate narrative I have ever, ever tried to tackle.” He even likened it to, “being almost a horror movie”. Very different to the typical superhero movie. 

The Batman stands atop the London Eye

The Batman in UK Cinemas Today!

The Batman has a runtime of two hours 55 minutes. That makes it the longest Batman movie of all time, and just six minutes shy of the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s Avengers: Endgame.

Promotions for The Batman have been quite varied. Videogames are getting in on the hype with Rocket League getting a special DLC pack. A publicity stunt in which The Batman stands atop the London Eye drew some attention. And a series of Funk Pops features all the main characters from the movie.

The Batman arrives in UK cinemas today. We’re very keen to hear your opinion of the movie. Don’t be shy – let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Categories: Movies