Is It Time For A Horror Batman Movie?

Fear is a tool and at times, a shared dread. Batman has weaponized it and shared it over his existence. So much so, he has been synonymous with fear. He uses it to fight crime and forces it into the minds of his enemies to gain the edge. This has been used creatively by artist when it comes to many forms of storytelling. Whether it’s eerie artwork in the comic books or invoking that fear in Predator Mode in the Arkham games. Fans have gone accustomed to seeing Batman in this dreadful light. Films have also used it…but in parts. Some flashes through Batman’s cinematic outings have been shown. For those parts that were seen, it does that side of Batman’s character justice. But there has been some wishes for more of it. Batman has always had an accompanying tone to his films but a horror tone has only shown up in bunches. Is it time for a horror Batman film?

Batman is a versatile character enough to have such a film. He had a whimsical tone during the Adam West era. Ventured into a campy gothic tone. Over the last few years, his films have become more mature. Even his animated stuff is versatile going from light hearted to comedic to family orientated to dark. The best part about it, most of those have been critical successes. Have been praised by fans. So even though a character who is associated with being dark and brooding, he can find success both in that tone and far from it. So, fans have seen Batman in all types of lighting and have loved it. But one area where they want to see the Dark Knight from, is from the dark.

Some moments in these films have made Batman into this horrifying presence. In his first night being Batman in Batman Begins, he did invoke fear. The terror that he reigns on his enemies was a driving force in that scene. Batman is meant to be this dark blur that hits with the force to crack skulls. That was seen. Even in the next part when the cops are reporting what they heard, one joked that it might have been a creature. Something else that Batman is portrayed as in some stories in the books. In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the scene where he thrashed Lexcorp was another example of his horrifying nature. The aftermath – the bullets casings, the damage, the injured personal – all showcased how much of a force of nature he was. Then in the clip that Luthor saw of Batman swooping down then snagging up a guard resembles a creature. Far from being a man. Then in The Batman, the opening scene was a true testament of the horror that he is. Every shadow belonged to him. It was him. And everyone knows it. They fear every shadow at night because they are terrified of what could come out of it. And that’s the Batman. Once the shadow is acknowledged most of the criminals in the scene stopped what they were doing to avoid a conflict. So, movies have embraced that horrifying nature of him. Have even lowered the perspective to the criminal’s level to elevate that dreadful allure of Batman.

But a film has yet to make this element its entire story. Which is odd, because films have used comedy throughout a full-length animated movie. Horror would be a logical next step for Batman and it might be overdue. This is the very story that some circles have been wanting. When it does come in small batches, those scenes are held near and dear. The opening scene of The Batman was quickly regarded as one of the best openings in superhero movies because it embraced that side of Batman. For a while, this side of Batman has been appetizers and now there’s demands for a full course meal.

Another story that is sparking some demand is for a movie from the perspective of a Batman villain or some villains. Both of these ides could be one in the same. In fact, the DCU has made some very small, light steps in this direction already. The first appearance of Batman was from the perspective of a villain and showed Batman in this very moody, atmospheric silhouette. And if the rumors are to be true about Clayface, Batman is going to be referenced in the movie. Maybe even has some type of boogeyman. So, the DCU has started it but may not follow all the way through.

Regardless, this is a movie that’s there for the taking. The building blocks have been placed with the scenes in previous films and animation. Such a movie could easily capture both demands from fans; make Batman horrifying and have it from the villain’s or villains’ point of view. To be honest it may be the only way to capture that energy. Imagine a movie where some of Batman’s most famous villains team up to finally defeat him. They believe the only way to truly defeat Batman is together. The movie could start with some henchmen from some villains scouting a place for a secret meeting, but Batman has been on their trial and takes them out one by one from the shadows. Then, like a creature, he interrogates a henchman from their point of view. They spill the information and from there on out, Batman is on the hunt for his enemies like a slasher villain. The entire movie is how he stalks, hunts and takes down the villain’s operations, their men, and ultimately themselves. All from the perspective of the villains. There shouldn’t be clear, concise images of Batman. His silhouette, his blur, his cape, his gloves and his silence should be the only thing that is seen. A simple idea, but taking the idea into new but desired areas.

Batman has been put in all sorts of tones and sub genres. It’s the books that really drive him into the horror genre. But it’s hard to see that in anything else for an extended period of time. It’s the one genre that makes the most amount of sense. A lot of movies have capitalized on one side of his character to tell a story in the length of a film. But again, the one genre that fits him the most, seems to be the one that’s avoided. It also feels like, it’s horror’s turn to guide a Batman movie. Batman has been whimsical, humorous, mature, gritty, larger-than-life, and even an anime. Horror and Batman must meet for movie. It’s logical and something fans want. Something fans need.