The 10 Best Quotes From The Batman
Warning: This article contains major SPOILERS for The Batman.
Matt Reeves’ The Batman adapted the titular character right into the center of the darkness that envelops Gotham City. Starring Robert Pattinson, the movie features a gritty backdrop that shows the ramifications of extreme crime. With the topic of morality at its center, there are many insightful quotes in the movie.
The words from the heroes and villains go deeper than they might seem, and analyzing them further provides a glimpse into how they function. With a sequel almost certain to follow, it’s best to understand how the characters tick to gain an understanding of their personalities, and these are most obviously expressed through their quotes.
Edward Nashton
“All Everyone Wants To Do Is Unmask You But They’re Missing The Point. You And I Both Know I’m Looking At The Real You Right Now.”
While there are some iconic Riddler comic stories in Batman comics, the version in this film was something else entirely. Edward Nashton, as he was known in his civilian identity, felt a kinship to Batman and Bruce Wayne because they were both orphans.
Nashton figured out that Bruce’s true persona was Batman and didn’t have any interest in exposing him to the world since, to him, he was talking to the real person. It was an interesting way to usher in the film’s climax because there was no fight, as Nashton just wanted Batman to admit that he and Nashton were the same.
Batman & Selina Kyle
“Don’t Throw Your Life Away.” “Don’t Worry, Honey. I’ve Got Nine Of ‘Em.”
It’s more than likely that Selina Kyle will return in The Batman’s sequel, given that her arc still feels rather incomplete. She never really became Catwoman, but there was an exchange between her and Batman that alluded to it. It took place right when Selina decided to take things into her own hands.
Batman’s request to Selina to not ruin her life was significant too, because it showed that he was starting to care for her. Selina’s quick-wit was on display when she promised she had more than one life, which was the most overt acknowledgment of her identity as Catwoman from in the comics.
The Penguin
“What The Hell’s This? Good Cop, Bats**t Cop?”
Colin Farrell’s performance here was unlike anything Batman fans have seen him do in previous movies and shows. He transformed into a different version of Penguin, one who wasn’t the crime kingpin as he’s usually depicted in the comics and other material.
Penguin was terrified when Batman caught him after a prolonged chase, throwing out this quote at Batman and James Gordon. It was a way to establish Batman and Gordon’s unorthodox partnership as well as the Caped Crusader’s bizarre personality, as Penguin couldn’t fathom the lengths Batman was going to in order to apprehend him.
Gil Colson
“This Is So Much Bigger Than You Could Ever Imagine. It’s The Whole System.”
District Attorney Colson chose to die rather than rat out the mob because he knew that the authorities were corrupted. In his final moments, Colson had the option of answering The Riddler’s final question but chose not to in order to keep his family safe.
Colson’s words had an impact on Batman since they made him realize that no one could be trusted. The fact that the D.A. himself was terrified of the ramifications of going after criminals proved that Gotham City in this universe was heavily rampant with crime.
The Riddler
“I’m Giving You A Chance. No One Ever Game Me A Chance.”
One of the first clues to The Riddler’s background as an orphan was within one of his riddles, where he claimed that he had never been given a chance. It was a moment’s worth of weakness that alluded to his childhood, which he expanded upon when he met Batman.
The Riddler felt that he was neglected all his life because he came from a poor family, which he didn’t think was fair. Although he became a murderer, The Riddler wasn’t wrong since he was just lost in the system after losing his parents as a boy and nobody cared about him until he took the city by storm.
Alfred Pennyworth
“You Needed A Father, And All You Had Was Me.”
Bruce and Alfred’s relationship was very frosty in The Batman, which was a departure from their usual depiction of being very close. They got around to confronting their issues when Alfred was in the hospital, where Alfred took responsibility for Bruce’s inner darkness.
Alfred felt he should have been a father to Bruce rather than be there just as his butler, confessing that he didn’t live up to Bruce’s expectations. Even so, Alfred’s admission proved that he loved Bruce and that he tried his best but just wasn’t equipped to handle Bruce’s sudden orphanhood.
James Gordon
“You Make It Sound Like He Had It Coming.”
James Gordon didn’t care much about who Batman was behind the mask, although he did express his curiosity when Batman seemed to have violent thoughts. When GCPD commissioner Pete Savage was killed, Batman hinted that he deserved it for being corrupt.
Gordon uttered this line as a way of expressing his shock that Batman didn’t care that Savage was brutally murdered. It went to show that Gordon could sense the darkness in Batman and that Gordon himself had a sense of morality for feeling bad for Savage even after the latter’s corruption was exposed.
Thomas Wayne
“Giving Back Is Not Just An Obligation. It’s A Passion. That Is Our Legacy.”
Bruce watched a video feed of his father’s speech when he ran for mayor, stopping to hear Thomas talk about the Wayne legacy. Up until that point, Bruce didn’t have much to think over this aspect, but he took in Thomas’ words without even realizing it.
After all, being Batman is Bruce’s way of giving back, as he takes it upon himself to save the people of Gotham. Although Bruce considers himself to be filled with darkness, he still lived up to Thomas’ legacy by keeping the city safe. The quote shows that Thomas’ words can take shape in many different ways.
The Joker
“Riddle Me This: The Less Of Them You Have, The More One Is Worth.”
The Joker showed up in the final scene where he befriended the Riddler, giving him this quote as a way of claiming they were now friends. It alluded to The Joker’s skills of manipulation, who’s sure to use The Riddler to bust himself out of Arkham.
Moreover, the quote foreshadows how The Joker will be thinking about Batman, as the Clown Prince of Crime has traditionally seen the Dark Knight as his friend in his twisted way. The Joker’s habit of getting under the skin of people around him can be felt as well, seeing as he used The Riddler’s penchant for riddles to befriend him.
Batman
“Vengeance Won’t Change The Past. I Have To Become More.”
Batman’s narration at the beginning of the movie was about his belief that he was vengeance incarnate, which he felt was what was needed to fight crime. In the climax, however, he was shocked to hear The Riddler’s goon make the same claim, which changed his mindset.
In the end, Batman decided that just channeling his inner darkness wasn’t going to be enough and that he needed to be a hero. It was uncharted territory for him since he never became the Caped Crusader to be a symbol for good, but the realization that his methods can be twisted for evil served to put Batman on the path to becoming the hero that Gotham needed.
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