![]() The duality in Riddler’s perception of Batman and Bruce is actually a motif of The Batman. But if you don’t mind me explaining some more themes of The Batman, please read on. These dual obsessions led to the photos on the wall of both Bruce and Batman but not the connection between the two. And the photos of Batman were there because Riddler, the crazy person that he is, believed he and Batman were a team. That explains the “I know who you really are” stuff. Riddler resented that and felt like he knew the awful truth about Bruce and the Wayne family that the rest of the city didn’t. Bruce for being a privileged orphan (as opposed to Riddler who grew up in Thomas Wayne’s orphanage in horrible conditions after Thomas’s death). So the package sent to Bruce Wayne also having a letter to Batman isn’t anything special, even if it seemed indicative at the time (especially due to Alfred’s reaction).Īnd the stuff on the wall of the apartment was just because Riddler was obsessed with Bruce Wayne and Batman. Well, every murder Riddler committed involved a letter to Batman. So what about the earlier moments we mentioned before? There’s an irony to Riddler’s not knowing Batman’s true identity, because in that same scene he chastises Batman for not knowing the full extent of the plan, telling him something like, “You didn’t see it?” There’s a sense of disappointment, with Riddler even saying “Oh, you’re really not as smart as I thought you were.” While Batman failed to see what Riddler was truly up to (blowing up the seawall), Riddler failed to put two and two together regarding Batman and Bruce, despite being obsessed with both of them. At that point he’s no longer as guarded and begins to properly grill Riddler. It’s subtle, but if you re-watch that moment, you can see Batman process this and visibly relax. Riddler refers to Bruce as “he” as opposed to “you” and continues to refer to Batman as a separate individual. He talks about how they, meaning he, Riddler, and Batman, had taken down all the corrupt officials (mayor, police commissioner, DA, and Carmine Falcone), but that Bruce Wayne got away. Batman even looks at the asylum’s security camera, probably thinking, “Well, hell, am I going to have to hack into the system and delete that?” But then Riddler says something that changes the vibe completely. With those two scenes already in our minds, it’s easy to see why Riddler (aka Edward Nashton) repeatedly saying “Bruce Wayne” seems like a declaration. ![]() To the point where I half expected Batman to tell all the cops to look at something in the opposite direction then rip the photos off the wall. Second, when the cops and our caped crusader swarm Riddler’s apartment, we see photos on the wall of Bruce Wayne and some mention of “I know who you really are.” With other photos of Batman on the same wall. It’s addressed to Bruce Wayne but inside is a letter to Batman. (If you’d rather read an explanation of The Batman‘s main theme and symbolism, click here.)įirst, when Riddler sends that letter to Wayne Tower. Like here’s Batman standing in front of Riddler and Riddler’s clearly saying “Bruce Wayne”, as in, “You’re Bruce Wayne!” It feels like a confirmation of something the movie has danced around for a while, as Riddler has consistently known more than you’d expect, some of the city’s deepest and darkest secrets. Riddler keeps yelling out “Bruce Wayne”-which seems like an accusation. There’s the moment at Arkham Asylum where Batman (Robert Pattinson) confronts the arrested, imprisoned villain. I’m here to tell you: Riddler does not know who Batman is. Fittingly, The Batman makes a mystery of it-a riddle, if you will-playing the Riddler/Batman dynamic in such a way as to leave viewers confused as to whether or not Riddler (Paul Dano) knew the secret. Otherwise it’s a love interest who Bruce/Batman wants to tell. Usually the villain wants to know or already knows. Every Batman movie that has ever existed has to have some subplot involving Batman’s secret identity.
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