Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson’s The Batman presented a gritty Dark Knight, but its ending sets up an even darker story for The Batman – Part II.

•  The Batman – Part II could be even darker and emotionally challenging than the first film, despite the ending providing a glimmer of hope for Bruce Wayne.
•  Bruce Wayne’s growth as Batman and his newfound role as a symbol of hope opens him up to more emotional vulnerability and potential losses.
•  Bruce’s personal connection with Selina Kyle (Catwoman) and her potential for mischief creates an additional point of leverage that could be exploited by those looking to harm Batman and Gotham.

Director Matt Reeves crafted the most grounded and dark version of Gotham and its Dark Knight in 2022’s The Batman, but the movie’s ending sets up an even darker and more emotionally challenging story for The Batman – Part II. While Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy presented a more realistic interpretation of Batman, Gotham, and various DC villains than had ever been seen before on the big screen. The Batman takes the concepts and pushes it even further. Devoid of any mysticism or superpowers, Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is pitted against a version of The Joker more inspired by real-world serial 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ers than comic books.

However, the ending of The Batman actually shines a bit of light on an otherwise dark story. Bruce seems to be in a better place emotionally, which could potentially set the sequel on a brighter bath. However, this turn may instead have the opposite effect, setting up The Batman – Part II to be even darker and emotionally taxing than what came before it.

The Batman Ended With A Message Of Hope

Bruce Wayne is almost universally portrayed as emotionally damaged and struggling with issues of anger and grief in DC media, but The Batman pushed that to a more extreme and realistic level than ever before. For the majority of the movie, Batman is determined to be a symbol of fear to criminals and doesn’t consider who he is or should be to the law-abiding citizens of Gotham City. The end sees Bruce realizing the error in this philosophy and becoming a symbol of hope for those that deserve it.

In addition to slowly gaining experience as Batman, Bruce also seems to be coming to terms with his role as a wealthy billionaire in helping the city he loves. No longer simply a self-driven vigilante, Batman approaches something closer to a hero. This turn brings him more in line with most classic versions of the character, though giving him something to care about also means he now has something to lose.

Bruce Wayne’s Growth Gives Him More To Lose In The Batman 2

Part of what made Pattinson’s Batman so scary in The Batman is that he really seemed like someone with nothing left to lose. He attacked criminals with reckless abandon despite multiple failures and setbacks, and he truly seemed incapable of sinking any lower emotionally. Besides Alfred, he had nobody and nothing, but that’s no longer the case. With a whole city of people that he cares about and is trying to be a visible inspiration for, it’ll be much more possible for villains to either intentionally or unintentionally cause him more destructive emotional damage.

Bruce has also made a strong personal connection with Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman, something that seems new for him in this timeline. Assuming she’s she’s operating with him as Batman as often happens in DC comics and other media, it presents a point of leverage that can be exploited by those looking to cause Batman and Gotham harm. Moreover, The Batman – Part II may see Selina causing her own intentional mischief as the character is known to do. Either way, Bruce Wayne gaining hope is good, but history has shown that it’s almost always a setup for an even harder fall.