Here's Why Batman Calls Himself "Vengeance" in the Film
After watching Matt Reeves’ The Batman, fans wonder why the masked vigilante calls himself “Vengeance” in the film. Well, here’s everything you need to know about it.
In most Batman adaptations, we’ve seen the masked vigilante using the phrase “I am Batman.” However, Robert Pattinson’s version of the character uses the phrase “I am Vengeance” instead of the other one.
Interestingly, Bruce calls himself “Vengeance” so many times that other characters such as Catwoman and Penguin also call him “Vengeance” instead of addressing him as “Batman.”
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The Batman is Driven by Revenge
DC comic book fans are no strangers to the phrase “I am Vengeance.” Apparently, Batman describes himself in the comics by saying, “I am Vengeance. I am the Night, I am Batman.” However, we’ve only heard the “Batman” part in most live-action adaptations.
In Matt Reeves’s film, however, Batman is driven by mostly one thing, which is “Vengeance.” For him, Gotham is a city that took away his parents, making him an orphan. So, Bruce Wayne puts on the suit and becomes a Nocturnal animal because it is personal for him. At the same time, he also seeks “Vengeance” from the criminals for people who can’t defend themselves.
In the movie, we can see Bruce’s aggression every time he confronts a criminal. In the first sequence, he continues to punch a thug even when the guy is down on the ground. That’s because his desire for revenge on the criminal-minded takes priority over Justice. So, it’s no wonder that even the people he saves are scared of him.
Moreover, Pattinson’s Batman wants to spark fear in the mind of the criminals just by his name, which is why “Vengeance” goes so well in the movie.
However, Pattinson’s Batman soon learns that his idea of “Vengeance” has inspired people like Riddler to follow the path of revenge. So, at the end of the movie, Bruce realizes that Vengeance is not enough, and he should become a symbol of hope. So, there’s a chance that he’ll start calling himself “Batman” in the potential sequel.
