The Batman: Joker’s Riddle Has A Secret 2nd Meaning That Changes Everything

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Batman. 

Barry Keoghan’s Joker in The Batman introduces himself to Paul Dano’s Riddler using a riddle, but there’s a secret second meaning behind the interaction that drastically changes the scene.  The Batman follows Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight as he attempts to foil the plans of the Riddler, culminating in the latter’s incarceration in Arkham State Hospital. It’s here that Riddler meets Keoghan’s Joker, who introduces himself using a riddle – seemingly as a way of make Dano’s villain feel as though he’s a friend.

The Joker’s riddle for the Riddler itself seems to back this up. In response to the Riddler asking who the mysterious figure in the next cell is, he simply says: “the less of them you have, the more one is worth“. Riddler quickly and optimistically answers “friend”, prompting maniacal laughter from Keoghan’s character. While the scene certainly provides plenty of food for thought regarding The Batman‘s potential sequels, there’s also a second meaning to the interaction.

While Riddler’s answer certainly isn’t wrong, it’s possible that it’s not the solution that Joker was hoping for. Another potential answer to the question is a joker, or a wild card, which is primarily used in various card games as a stand-in for a card of any given value. This not only fits the Joker’s riddle but makes sense within the context, as it was posed after he was asked to identify himself. The Batman is full of riddles, and the Joker’s response to the Riddler is potentially much more than just another brainteaser.

The Joker’s Riddle 2nd Meaning Is A Warning

By introducing himself using one of the Riddler’s signature puzzles, The Batman‘s Joker seems to establish a sense of dominance over him. When he hears Dano’s optimistic response, he laughs – something characteristic of his character, but also decidedly sinister. This indicates that maybe Riddler’s answer wasn’t what he expected, but Joker sees the potential in his response and knows that he’ll be able to manipulate the Riddler using the villain’s apparent need for friendship.

Interestingly, the riddle’s double meaning is emblematic of the two characters’ differences. The Batman‘s Riddler and Joker may have struck up something of an alliance while in Arkham, but that apparent friendship being built on a misunderstanding is indicative of just how incompatible the two villains really are. After all, Riddler’s crimes are designed around logic and a desire to prove his intelligence, whereas Joker is often driven by pure chaos and fun. The pair may have found some common ground in their rivalries with Pattinson’s Batman, but the riddle’s dual meaning indicates that their friendship isn’t built to last – and Joker knows it.

Whether or not The Batman 2 will capitalize on the potential of the scene isn’t yet known, but it teases an intriguing dynamic between the two villains. If Paul Dano’s Riddler and Barry Keoghan’s Joker do team up, Pattinson’s Batman will certainly have quite the challenge ahead. However, if the warning hidden within the Joker’s riddle is anything to go by, the partnership between the two villains may well end badly in The Batman‘s sequels.

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