The Batman
When a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, the Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.
Despite a massive budget of $185.0M, The Batman became a solid performer, earning $772.3M worldwide—a 317% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, showing that audiences embrace compelling narrative even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 39 wins & 175 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Batman (2022) demonstrates meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Matt Reeves's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Bruce Wayne / Batman
Selina Kyle / Catwoman
The Riddler
Lt. James Gordon
Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin
Carmine Falcone
Alfred Pennyworth
Main Cast & Characters
Bruce Wayne / Batman
Played by Robert Pattinson
A reclusive billionaire who operates as Gotham's vigilante detective, driven by trauma and vengeance in his second year of crimefighting.
Selina Kyle / Catwoman
Played by Zoë Kravitz
A cat burglar and cocktail waitress seeking revenge for her friend's murder while navigating a complicated relationship with Batman.
The Riddler
Played by Paul Dano
A disturbed forensic accountant turned serial killer who targets Gotham's elite with elaborate puzzles and a twisted sense of justice.
Lt. James Gordon
Played by Jeffrey Wright
One of the few honest cops in the GCPD who partners with Batman to solve the Riddler's murders and expose Gotham's corruption.
Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin
Played by Colin Farrell
A mid-level gangster and lieutenant in the Falcone crime family who operates the Iceberg Lounge nightclub.
Carmine Falcone
Played by John Turturro
Gotham's most powerful crime boss who has corrupted the city's institutions for decades, hiding dark secrets about the Wayne family.
Alfred Pennyworth
Played by Andy Serkis
Bruce Wayne's loyal butler and father figure who struggles to connect with his emotionally distant ward while protecting family secrets.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Batman narrates over Halloween night in Gotham: "I am the shadows." We see criminals cowering in fear as the Bat-Signal lights up. Bruce exists purely as vengeance, isolated and obsessive, patrolling the darkness.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 21 minutes when The Riddler's message "To The Batman" is discovered at the crime scene. The killer is specifically targeting Batman, making this personal. Batman realizes he's being drawn into a game that will expose Gotham's darkest secrets - including potentially his own family's.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 43 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Batman makes a deal with Selina Kyle - she'll wear a contact lens camera inside the 44 Below club to help him investigate. He actively chooses to trust an outsider and dig into corruption that may expose his own family's legacy. There's no turning back from these revelations., moving from reaction to action.
At 88 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The Riddler reveals that Thomas Wayne had Carmine Falcone kill a journalist to protect Martha's mental health history. Batman's heroic legacy - the very foundation of his crusade - crumbles. False defeat: everything Bruce believed about his father and his mission is called into question., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 131 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Riddler is captured but reveals his true plan: he sees Batman as an ally, inspired by his vengeance. Nashton's followers will flood Gotham and assassinate the new mayor. Batman realizes his symbol of fear has inspired domestic terrorists. His "vengeance" created more monsters., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 142 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Batman races to Gotham Square Garden as the floods rise. He realizes he must become something more than vengeance. He can't just punish the guilty - he must save the innocent. This is his synthesis: fear isn't enough, Gotham needs hope., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Batman's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Batman against these established plot points, we can identify how Matt Reeves utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Batman within the action genre.
Matt Reeves's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Matt Reeves films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Batman takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Matt Reeves filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Matt Reeves analyses, see War for the Planet of the Apes, Let Me In and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Batman narrates over Halloween night in Gotham: "I am the shadows." We see criminals cowering in fear as the Bat-Signal lights up. Bruce exists purely as vengeance, isolated and obsessive, patrolling the darkness.
Theme
The Riddler's first cipher reads "From your secret friend. What does a liar do when he's dead? He lies still." The theme of truth, lies, and corruption is introduced - Gotham's rot runs deeper than street crime, and vengeance alone cannot heal it.
Worldbuilding
We meet Year Two Batman investigating the Mayor's murder alongside Gordon. The power dynamics of Gotham are established: corrupt politicians, the Iceberg Lounge underworld, and Batman's uneasy alliance with the GCPD. Alfred tends to Bruce's wounds, worried about his obsession.
Disruption
The Riddler's message "To The Batman" is discovered at the crime scene. The killer is specifically targeting Batman, making this personal. Batman realizes he's being drawn into a game that will expose Gotham's darkest secrets - including potentially his own family's.
Resistance
Batman decodes the Riddler's ciphers and follows the trail to the Iceberg Lounge. He encounters Penguin and first meets Selina Kyle. Gordon and Batman investigate Commissioner Pete Savage's murder. Each clue reveals deeper corruption connecting Gotham's elite to the criminal underworld.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Batman makes a deal with Selina Kyle - she'll wear a contact lens camera inside the 44 Below club to help him investigate. He actively chooses to trust an outsider and dig into corruption that may expose his own family's legacy. There's no turning back from these revelations.
Mirror World
Selina Kyle becomes Batman's partner in the investigation. She's also seeking vengeance - for her missing friend Annika and against the powerful men who exploit women. She mirrors Bruce's pain and rage but represents a different path: one that might include leaving Gotham behind.
Premise
Batman and Selina investigate Gotham's corruption together. They uncover the "renewal" fund scandal, discover DA Gil Colson's involvement, and learn that Carmine Falcone is the rat informant who's been protected for decades. The investigation leads them through Gotham's underbelly as their partnership deepens.
Midpoint
The Riddler reveals that Thomas Wayne had Carmine Falcone kill a journalist to protect Martha's mental health history. Batman's heroic legacy - the very foundation of his crusade - crumbles. False defeat: everything Bruce believed about his father and his mission is called into question.
Opposition
Batman confronts Falcone about the truth, learning his father tried to stop the hit but was killed before he could. Selina discovers Falcone is her father. The investigation intensifies as more officials die. Batman catches Falcone, but the Riddler snipes him from across the street - his plan was never about letting justice win.
Collapse
The Riddler is captured but reveals his true plan: he sees Batman as an ally, inspired by his vengeance. Nashton's followers will flood Gotham and assassinate the new mayor. Batman realizes his symbol of fear has inspired domestic terrorists. His "vengeance" created more monsters.
Crisis
Batman sits in horror at Arkham as the Riddler sings with his followers online. The sea wall bombs detonate, flooding Gotham Square Garden where citizens have gathered. Batman must confront the consequences of his philosophy - he inspired a killer, and now innocents will die because of what he represents.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Batman races to Gotham Square Garden as the floods rise. He realizes he must become something more than vengeance. He can't just punish the guilty - he must save the innocent. This is his synthesis: fear isn't enough, Gotham needs hope.
Synthesis
Batman fights through the Riddler's armed followers to save the mayor-elect and trapped citizens. He cuts a power line and uses a flare to lead survivors through the darkness and flooding. Rather than being a shadow that criminals fear, he becomes a literal light guiding people to safety.
Transformation
Batman narrates over images of him helping flood victims: "I'm starting to see the city differently... They need hope." Selina leaves Gotham but invites him to come. He stays - not out of vengeance, but because Gotham needs what he can become. The Bat-Signal shines not as warning, but as beacon.