Hidden Symbolism: Part 1

An Introduction to Perfection

The Batman is a perfect film. The cinematography, the symbolism, the inspired passion behind it, the sound design, the score, the writing, the structure. Every aspect in it makes it a cohesive, beautiful piece that has made it into perfection, and in this article I want to investigate how it achieved that. Specifically in this article, I will be covering the symbolism in the film, and how it relates to the plot and characters overall.

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The Subway Station Fight Scene (and the Young Gang Member)

Many people perhaps believe that the Subway Fight Scene is a simple scene, only there to serve as a way for us to understand Batman, and how Bruce Wayne has buried himself behind his trauma, fighting criminals as if they are the ones that are directly responsible for his parents’ murder. Although this is certainly the case, I thoroughly believe it represents more than that, and I have a lot of evidence to suggest that it does.

The main thesis and theory that I have for this theory being larger in relation to the film is that it represents the entirety of the film. Through the scene, we see how Gotham has become corrupted by random violence, with the intention of these criminal acts being that of gaining popularity, respect within the gang, or simply to “have fun” in harming an innocent person. Parallels could be made to that of A Clockwork Orange in fact, with Alex and his Droogs doing it for even lesser reasons–simply because they enjoy it. The scum and criminal element is apparent, but one person remaining a glimmer of hope to help the city become better–the young gang member. Throughout the entirety of this scene, we are almost taken through the entirety of this gang stalking from his perspective, and whereas people may believe this is simply to humanize the scene, giving us empathy and a temporary protagonist to hold onto, I believe it’s more than that.

I believe this kid represents all of Gotham, the characters in The Batman, and the duality of good and evil within them and in the world of the film. Not only is the duality of crime and justice apparent in this scene, it shows that characters are flawed, self conscious, and unsure of their own actions. The young gang member is constantly fearful of doing something wrong or bad, ultimately not giving in to his fellow gang members and realizing the effect of crime not only on others, but on what he may become. This human element of doubt and that spark of good within the young member is also reflected in his costume and makeup. Notice how every gang member, but him, wears a full face of makeup, whereas he has only one half of his face painted? This may represent, and does in my opinion, the duality of his character, and his lack of commitment towards crime, and subsequently evil. No one in this world and in this film is one sided–purely good or purely bad. Everyone is human and has many layers to them as a person and as a character. Also, notice how every gang member wears blacks and greys, whereas he wears brighter colours. This also represents the brightness within him, the potential to become a better person.

Another moment that was once confusing, but now makes more sense–is when the young gang member pauses at the end of the fight, staring at Batman. At first we may believe this is simply a reflection of the characters emotion and initial fear, but I believe, once again, this represents the antagonism and dynamics between Batman (the protagonist) and the character’s standing against him. The Riddler has an intense respect for him, so much so that he actually thinks he’s working with The Batman. The Riddler also is the only antagonist that calls him The Batman/just Batman through the entirety of the film, but we’ll touch on that in a later part of this series. Oz, or The Penguin, also shows respect for The Batman, even if it is fake. Catwoman obviously has a lot of respect for Batman, shown through their numerous scenes together where they clearly understand why they are the way that they are, and how they are very similar, only differing in what they chose to do with their trauma. Finally, Carmine doesn’t show fear whatsoever, until his last moments. I also believe that this moment between Batman and the Younger Gang Member also represents the greyness we were talking about earlier–that all of the characters are quite similar, but differ in what they do with their trauma and their pain. Riddler chooses to kill after his trauma, whereas Batman chooses not to, yet they are so similar.

Breaking Down the Scene

Another major point that I want to touch upon is the structure and dynamics between the characters in this first scene representing and summing up the rest of the film. There are other points in the film that do a similar thing, like Bruce and the Mayor’s Son. I’ll touch upon this in the next part. So let’s break down how this scene sums up and represents the themes, structure and character relationships/dynamics in the entirety of the film:

The Batman emerges from the shadows

- A metaphorical representation of him being a darker person, in a dark place, finally stepping into the light and becoming more.

His boots are heavy, rain pattering down on them

- This represents Batman’s heavy, threatening presence on everybody in this film, apart from perhaps most of the GCPD, who simply see him as a freak. Perhaps this could represent him becoming more threatening, cunning, smart and therefore intimidating as the film goes on.

- The rain is a visual and audible thing to tell us that it will be raining for most scenes, the weather representing the bleakness of the character’s, and Gotham as a whole, until it brightens up at the very end of the film, or during scenes of realization, like when Batman is on the Bat Signal rooftop, realizing that the Wayne’s have been exposed, and therefore light being shined upon it, uncovering it.

“Look at this guy. The hell are you supposed to be?”

- This represents Gotham, and especially the GCPD’s lack of understanding for The Batman. They feel that he isn’t capable of much, and they ultimately think he’s just a freak in a costume, but soon discover that he’s the world’s greatest detective.

The gang member tries to attack. Batman beats the holy hell out of him. “I’m Vengeance.”

- This is probably my favourite moment in the entire film. Bruce is admitting he’s far gone, and announcing to not only the gang member’s, but to us–that he’s vengeance, not Batman yet.

- A physical manifestation of his anger, his goals, what he wants right now, and how his cessation of trauma.

Batman rises from his crouched position.

- This symbolizes the end of the film, or his transformation during the film. He’s transforming and rising, becoming more and escaping this trauma, not letting it seize him in the way that it has.

They fight.

- It’s important to note the aggression from Batman here, but also the fact that he keeps getting hit. This represents, foreshadows and sets up that Bruce is in his infancy in terms of combat, but most importantly that he cares more about being brutal and viscous than he does being strategic.

The young member tries to stop the other member from shooting Vengeance.

- This represents, once again, the city, and subsequently the evil within the antagonists. They don’t want to actually hurt Batman, or at least most of them don’t. The good in them is reaching out.

Vengeance turns, being shot. He tazes his enemy.

- This represents his strategy and use of not only his gadgets and the tools at his disposal as he does at the end of the film, venturing from simply being vicious, but also represents his use of the Venom at the end of the film, during the final fight. Mirroring the aggression that he has to conjur at that final scene, we understand that he sometimes must use his aggressive nature, but also must be self aware of it.

Vengeance pulls away. Most of the gang members sprint away in fear. The Younger Gang Member pauses, then runs away. The citizen is afraid, says “Please don’t hurt me.”

- I believe this is a representation of The Riddler and his gang, especially the Riddler gang member that he uses the venom on. No one understands Batman yet–they don’t know what his goal is, and really–neither does he. We don’t talk about this enough with Bruce and Batman’s character, perhaps because it’s hidden between the lines, in the silent moments of his character–but it’s true. Bruce and Batman don’t really know what they should become, what they must become, and even what they can become. All Bruce and Batman know is that they have to let out that pain through beating on these criminals. And really–who can blame them.

- This is a mirror of the scene where he declares that he “has to become more”. It’s almost exactly the same shot, and the mirrored nature of it to that shot is clear, and it’s even clearer that it must be a parallel to the end of the scene, and subsequently its relation to this scene representing the entire film. This could also represent what he is striving for and focused on, and his journey through that. During this scene, he’s looking up at the Bat Signal–this is a representation of his focus on being Batman, solving crimes, and his attention on that. In the “become more” scene he’s looking up at a citizen, watching them being lifted to a helicopter. This is now his focus–helping and saving people, making them feel safe, heard, seen and becoming more of a hero. It’s beautiful.

Another point I want to add is the social media presence. The gang are influenced by (although it looks like surface web, TikTok like stuff) violent acts online, from someone else who thinks it’s “cool” and “fun” to punch innocent people. This mirrors and represents The Riddler and his gang, particularly how they are influenced by The Riddler and follow him like sheep–through social media.

Possible Inspirations

The inspiration for this type of foreshadowing of the films structure, characters, atmosphere and pacing could draw inspiration from The French Connection, a film that Matt Reeves, director of The Batman, has cited many times as being a big inspiration for the film.

In the beginning of The French Connection, the main character and his partner are staking out what looks like a local bar. Subsequently, they chase him down and beat him. Upon their second interrogation, the partner Detective "Buddy" says to our main character Detective "Popeye" that he shouldn't kill him. The chase as well as the character's behaviour and dynamics between each other are very similar to that of the end of the film, where ultimately Popeye ends up killing the antagonist. Foreshadowing? Maybe. A reach? Possibly.