Robert Pattinson took on the role of the Dark Knight in Matt Reeves' 2022 reboot The Batman, which introduced a new version of DC's popular hero. This cinematic version of Batman finally focused on one of his more well-known comic book skills that hasn't been explored too much on the big screen in previous adaptations of the character.
Batman's title as "world's greatest detective" may have been used in The Batman to mock the still-learning Dark Knight, but Robert Pattinson's Batman proved he's an actual detective over the course of the new movie. [Spoilers for The Batman will follow].
9 Batman Gave The Mayor's Murder Scene A Better Visual Inspection Than The Police
One of the first moments that showcased the detective skills of Pattinson's Batman came early in The Batman, following The Riddler's brutal murder of Gotham City's Mayor, Don Mitchell Jr. With the police and forensics investigators on scene, Lt. James Gordon entered Mitchell's home alongside Batman to help investigate the murder.
Batman gave the crime scene such a thorough visual inspection that other police were following his movements to document the various pieces of evidence. He discovered even more than the police likely did without even physically examining a single piece of evidence.
8 He Uses His Advanced Contact Lenses To Document Crime Scenes And Scan Faces
While other cinematic Batman characters had more advanced or specialized technology at their disposal, The Batman's titular crimefighter was a bit more stripped down in his gadgetry. However, he was still able to utilize a few cutting-edge pieces of tech that included his wrist-mounted grappling gun as well as advanced contact lenses that were equipped with a face-scanning camera.
Batman used them to record his nightly activities as well as the crime scenes so he could give them a detailed examination. They also helped him send Selina Kyle/Catwoman undercover to The Iceberg Lounge's 44 Below club, where she was able to help Batman identify some of Gotham City's corrupt officials.
7 Bruce Worked Closely With Alfred To Decode The Ridder's Clues And Cryptograms
The Riddler quickly made a name for himself in The Batman due to his violent murders, as well as the intellectual clues he left behind at the crime scenes. Batman was quick at deciphering the initial clues, though each contained additional secrets hidden in cryptograms.
Thankfully, Bruce Wayne learned everything he knew from his closest ally, Alfred Pennyworth, who trained with the British SAS. Alfred was able to help solve the complicated cryptograms, which Batman then used to further his investigation into The Riddler and the mystery he was trying to unmask.
6 He Discovered A "Thumb" Drive Inside Mayor Mitchell's Car That Led Him To The Penguin
One of the first ciphers that were decoded by Batman and Alfred pointed them back to the recently murdered Mayor Mitchell's vehicle, which he investigated alongside his partner in the GCPD, Lt. James Gordon.
They discovered the vehicle's tire had been punctured, which inspired Batman to explore inside the vehicle. While Gordon wasn't sure what he should be looking for, Batman was able to locate a flash drive attached to the missing thumb of Mayor Mitchell that contained compromising pictures of the Mayor, teasing the corruption in Gotham City.
5 Batman Tracked Selina Kyle To Her Home To Find The Mystery Girl From The Photos
The photos discovered on the "thumb" drive featured a mystery girl with the Mayor as they exited The Iceberg Lounge, though the pictures also featured Oswald "Ozzie" Cobblepot/The Penguin. When Batman questioned Penguin about the girl in the pictures, Selina Kyle entered as a waitress and quietly reacted to the pictures of the girl.
Batman decided to follow his hunch like a good detective and trail her back to her apartment. He not only discovered the mystery girl lived there with her, but he also learned that Selina was also a costumed thief. He discovered Selina's real name after returning to her apartment and examing her mail, further highlighting his detective skills.
4 Batman Uncovered A Secret Message Addressed To Him In The Riddler's Killer Rat Maze
Beginning with his first violent murder, The Riddler began to stage the bodies of his victims to add to his various riddles and clues that he left for The Batman. The Riddler targeted corrupt government officials, including one that he trapped within a maze that contained rats, which ultimately killed him.
While Batman and Lt. Gordon were investigating the rat maze in the evidence room, Batman was able to uncover a secret message that was left for him in the form of another clue and cipher, which led him to the next piece of the larger puzzle.
3 He Interrogated Both D.A. Gil Colson And The Penguin To Discover Riddler's Secret URL
An important part of any good detective's job is the ability to interrogate prisoners to uncover information, which Batman has never shied away from on the big screen. Pattinson's Batman interrogated a few people in his investigation to look into the corruption that plagued Gotham City.
He first attempted to question District Attorney Gil Colson while he had a bomb attached to his neck. He then worked with Gordon to intimidate and interrogate The Penguin, though Cobblepot largely controlled the conversation. However, he did help lead Batman in the right direction after he discovered Riddler's secret URL.
2 He Investigated The Orphanage To Uncover The Riddler's Grudge With The Waynes
While Batman exhibited a number of impressive detective skills over the course of the movie, he was also being led on a bit of a scavenger hunt by The Riddler and his various clues. These clues ultimately brought Batman to the Gotham Orphanage, which was actually the former Wayne Manor.
The abandoned orphanage was in rough shape, but Batman still made his way through to inspect every inch of the place. The Riddler had left him another piece of the puzzle, which ultimately contained the information about Bruce Wayne's parents that Riddler would later leak to the press.
1 Batman Discovered Riddler's Plans To Drown Gotham By Reexamining His Hideout
Batman's face-to-face encounter with an incarcerated Riddler left him haunted with the reveal that he hadn't uncovered all the pieces of Riddler's plan. This forced him to revisit Riddler's hideout where he had found clues about a pending attack on Wayne Tower that incapacitated Alfred.
Batman reexamined the carpeting tool used on Mayor Mitchell after it was pointed out to him by an officer standing guard. Batman then ripped the carpet from the floor in Riddler's hideout, finally revealing his plans to drown Gotham City by setting off explosives. While Batman was ultimately too late to stop the explosives, he still uncovered the plans with his deductive skills.