Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022) was a disappointment to say the least. Despite being one of 2022’s most anticipated films, the movie fell flat for avid fans of the comic. The movie started with a moody Nirvana song, an overused element in the movie’s run time of 176 minutes. Regardless of Robert Pattinson’s attempt at portraying the traumatized Bruce Wayne, he came off as an angsty, greasy teenage boy, with an overdone air of egotism that made him generally unlikable. In addition to the obnoxious antihero Batman, his antagonist was just as frustrating. Paul Dano does leave the viewer uncomfortable, but if it is due to good acting, we would not know. Even with Pattinson’s weak rendition or the poorly-written dialogue, there was one saving grace: the cinematography. Done by the renowned Greg Fraser, it displayed the always gloomy Gotham City beautifully.

However, the filmography could not save Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman, who barely furthers the hole-filled plot as Batman’s sensual love interest. Though Kravitz was intended to be a 3D love interest, Pattinson and Kravitz had none of the promised chemistry and acted more like an awkward highschool couple on their first date. All of these factors catalyzed the confusing, anti-climactic plot that left watchers dissatisfied and lost. In essence, though this movie had a cast and production budget filled with potential, the movie was marred by a substandard screenplay, confusing storyline, and lack of chemistry between characters. Overall, we rate The Batman a two out of five.