Thread by @HonorAndDaring

How Hollywood depictions of Batman reflect the state of American culture. A thread

The 1966-68 Batman series took place during the height of American power & prosperity. The machinery for the destruction of the US had already been set into motion, but the public didn’t feel it yet. Batman is lighthearted. The criminals are thoroughly bad but clownish. The girls are beautiful. The sets were colorful. The overall feel is happiness, optimism, and confidence.

In Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie, Batman is much darker. The villain is the Joker and he is now genuinely malevolent while still retaining some cartoony aspects. Bruce Wayne is still elegant and he still attracts beautiful women. Wayne Manor and the Batcave are impeccable. There is still a clear dividing line between the good guys and the bad guys. This is still a confident America, but less so than the 1960s.

Christopher Nolan’s epic 2008 Batman trilogy takes a still darker turn. Batman still has outstanding technology, and Bruce Wayne is still elegant and dates beautiful women, but for the first time we are led to ask who is really on the side of the good and who is evil. Does Bane’s efficient judgment clean up crime better than Batman and the police force?

The Batman, released in 2022, is the darkest of all. There is never sunlight in Gotham City. The Batcave is now a dark hovel. Wayne Manor looks dark and uncared for. Bruce Wayne has turned into a brooding loner. The politicians are all corrupt and the villain is doing a much better job of cleaning up the city. For the first time, Batman is not really a hero. This movie reflects the fact that we’ve lost faith in our institutions and no longer believe that the triumph of good is possible. FIN.