WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Batman, now playing in theaters.

The romance between Batman and Catwoman is as iconic as it is tumultuous. From Batman Returns (1992) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012) to various cartoons and comics, their undeniable chemistry, deep friendship and unbearably frustrating fear of commitment have captivated fans for decades. While not every piece of media succeeds at capturing this dynamic, the newly-released The Batman -- starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz in the notorious roles -- seems to have an edge over previous live-action depictions. With both characters seeking vengeance this time around, Kravitz's perpetually furious Selina Kyle and Pattinson's equally jaded Bruce Wayne have an interesting and unforeseen commonality.

While Pattinson's Batman was largely well-received by fans, his portrayal of Bruce Wayne is often criticized. While one and the same, most fans agree that understanding this duality is important, noting distinct differences in both personas. Far from Michael Keaton's portrayal of a modest, charming and charitable billionaire in Batman (1989) and its sequel, Pattinson's Bruce Wayne is cripplingly anti-social, reacting with scorn when asked to face the public. He's also radically different from Christian Bale's portrayal in Christopher Nolan's trilogy, wherein Bruce masquerades as an irresponsible, self-absorbed womanizer. In contrast, Pattinson's Batman is a newly minted vigilante, wholly committed to seeking revenge. For the majority of The Batman's run, he's completely unwilling to play any kind of part for any reason. This, some fans claim, is part of what makes Kravitz' Selina his perfect counterpart.

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Despite depicting the inside of her bubblegum pink apartment, Batman Returns doesn't give audiences much of a glimpse into Selina Kyle's personal life. Michelle Pfeiffer's version of the character -- while fierce, goal-oriented and undeniably sexy -- is characterized as little more than a lonely secretary prior to her leather-clad transformation. Like Bruce, the film's Selina struggles with duality. And while this similarity works to bond them and a deeply felt sexual tension persists throughout, The Batman incorporates these elements in a way that feels much more organic.

The new movie allows audiences to know Selina through her past, her parentage and her relationships. While her relationship with Batman also showcases an instant attraction, this Selina has other goals. She's desperate to learn the whereabouts of her missing roommate, friend and possible love interest, Anika. Audiences also learn that she is no stranger to unsavory characters, having spent a significant portion of her childhood in the company of mobsters and eventually learning that her father is none other than Carmine Falcone.

Selina harbors a significant amount of hatred for the mafia don, suspecting his involvement in her mother's death and resenting him for neglecting her. This expertly crafted storyline works to not only bond her to Pattison's Batman but to allow the titular character to confront the ruinous nature of vengeance. Like many beloved stories featuring the pair, what bonds them together also forces them apart.

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Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne dancing in Batman Returns

Fans of The Dark Knight Rises note that Anne Hathaway and Christian Bale have far greater chemistry as Bruce and Selina than they do behind their respective masks. While the 2012 film attempts to showcase the pair's trademark banter as Batman and Catwoman, a lack of focus on their development, as well as Bruce's tryst with an undercover Talia al Ghul, soured the inclusion of these elements. Audiences weren't privy to the long discussions, intense rivalry and tangible chemistry that made the pair so famous. And while Selina and Bruce are apparently together by the film's end, this enormous lack of substance left fans feeling hollow.

The Batman has no such issue. Like almost all incantations before them, this version of the couple is faced with ideological differences that ultimately drive them apart. Despite a deep connection and an obvious spark between them, Bruce's commitment to Gotham and Selina's murderous intent toward her father serves to end the romance before it begins. After following each other for some time, The Batman's closing scene depicts the two on diverging paths.

Longtime fans of the Batman/Catwoman romance describe the pair's dynamic as a perpetual dance. In both Batman Returns and The Dark Knight Rises -- as well as countless other media -- the two engage in a literal ballroom dance while making conversation. These interactions contain undertones of flirtation, mystery and even tragedy at times. Such a scene is noticeably absent from The Batman, but while there is no clever visual metaphor in this iteration, to some, Matt Reeves' film captures their dance far more expertly than most.

To see Matt Reeves' take on Batman and Catwoman's romance, That Batman is in theaters now. 

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