Two years into his Gotham project and The Batman (Robert Pattinson) is not sure he is achieving what he set out to do. When a ruthless serial killer named The Riddler (Paul Dano) starts leaving messages for The Batman on his victims it forces him to confront his past and his family legacy. 

Ten years since the previous stand alone Batman trilogy ended with The Dark Knight Rises we are treated to the beginning of a new venture for the caped crusader. The Batman is completely separate from the DC Extended Universe that has recently featured Ben Affleck as the Bat and it is much better for it. Free of any baggage co-writer and director Matt Reeves can carve his own take on the iconic character. The result is a relentlessly gritty film that focuses on Batman as the greatest detective in the world inserted into a David Fincher serial killer film by way of Christopher Nolan’s realistic take on the hero. 

Pattinson is an excellent Batman. His jawline is like cut glass, his piercing looks captivating and his gruff intonation perfect. His Bruce Wayne though is rarely seen. When we do see him he is writing introspective diaries on his need to push himself and wearing smeared eye make up with damp hair fresh from the toils of being in the suit. Surrounding him is an array of perfectly cast characters from the many comics. Paul Dano is unhinged as The Riddler, John Turturro menacing as Falcone, Andy Serkis earnest is Alfred and Jeffrey Wright evokes the decency of Jim Gordon. But the two performances that really stand out amongst the superb cast are Zoe Kravitz tortured and determined Selina Kyle and the completely unrecognisable Colin Farrell as The Penguin. 

Every one of these characters is both recognisable and presented in a new and interesting way. Dano’s Riddler is a cross between John Doe from Seven and the Zodiac killer in Zodiac; both David Fincher films. Whilst Turturro’s Falcone and Farrell’s Penguin really convince as underworld mob leaders. 

The film is superbly crafted as well. At just under 3 hours in length there could be a worry that it might drag. But the plot is propulsive and constantly keeping you engaged. Whether that be via the detective work and puzzles of the main protagonist and antagonist, the sexual chemistry of the bat and the cat, the dynamic action sequences or the stunning cinematography and score that perfectly compliment all of the above. 

Are their negatives? Well it certainly plays to a certain audience and has a specific tone. If you are not a fan of dark and gritty superheroes it is unlikely to win you over. But it certainly hit all the right notes for me, including some heavy use of Nirvana classic ‘Something In The Way’. 

There is no scene at the end of the credits by the way, just a reference to one of the characters. I would suggest saving your bladder and reading about it later! 

Hopefully Matt Reeves and his fantastic team can achieve something just as special with the inevitable sequel.