Why The Riddler Couldn’t Figure Out Bruce Wayne Was That Batman

The Riddler knew the darkest secrets of his enemies in The Batman, but surprisingly had no idea that Bruce Wayne, one of his targets, was the Dark Knight. Played wonderfully by Paul Dano, The Riddler (a.k.a. Edward Nashton) remained one step ahead of Gotham City’s police, the mafia, and even Batman himself throughout the film, thanks to his meticulous planning and vast knowledge of his adversaries. The Riddler’s own misunderstanding of Batman, however, resulted in him failing to see that the two were the same.

Based on real-life serial killers, The Batman’s version of The Riddler leaves clues behind with his murder victims for the police and Batman. The Riddler’s murders are not random, however, as he’s motivated by the goal of combatting corruption and injustice in Gotham, making him somewhat of a dark reflection of Batman. Interestingly, The Riddler never directly attempts to kill Batman, though he did make an unsuccessful attempt on Bruce Wayne’s life.

The Riddler’s master plans are executed almost flawlessly throughout The Batman, but one of the few moments where Nashton isn’t in control of himself and his situation is in the film’s third act. After surrendering to the police and being placed in Arkham State Hospital, The Riddler speaks to Batman, where he has a breakdown upon learning that the masked vigilante doesn’t see him as an ally. The Riddler couldn’t piece together that Bruce Wayne is Batman because he saw Wayne as an enemy and target while viewing Batman as a potential ally.

Edward Nashton was an orphan, like Bruce Wayne, though he lacked the latter’s vast inheritance and celebrity status, and thus suffered, forgotten, and living in an underfunded orphanage. Resolving to enact revenge on Gotham City’s corruption, Nashton assumed the Riddler moniker and gained followers who also sought to punish Gotham for its cruel and corrupt municipal government. Although Thomas Wayne was dead, The Riddler targeted Bruce Wayne, believing him to be no better than his father.

The Riddler was intelligent and resourceful enough to discover Batman’s secret identity, but ultimately never did because he believed that Batman was on his side. The Riddler had a breakdown in Arkham State Hospital upon hearing Batman’s rejection of his movement, lamenting the turn of events for not being what he’d planned and hoped for. If The Riddler had seen Batman as his enemy from the beginning, he likely would have killed him and thus been unstoppable.

The Batman ends with The Riddler incarcerated (by intention) and befriending another inmate, The Joker. Now seeing Batman as his enemy, The Riddler will likely return in a future installment of The Batman’s continuity. While The Riddler couldn’t deduce Batman’s secret identity due to his misunderstanding in The Batman, he may solve Gotham’s greatest riddle in a sequel.

About The Author

David Miller
(618 Articles Published)

David Miller is a staff writer for Screen Rant, indie comic writer, and life-long lover of all things Star Wars, Marvel, and DC. He was born and raised in New York and has a degree in English from Rider University. He relates to Peter Parker maybe a little too much.

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