Return of The Batman

Return of The Batman is a 2025 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman, and the sequel to the 2022 film The Batman. The film is written and directed by Matt Reeves, and stars Robert Pattinson as Batman, John Malkovich as the voice of the Joker, Wes Bentley as Superman, Leonardo DiCaprio as Harvey Dent, Ryan Potter as Dick Grayson, Aaron Paul as Jason Todd, Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Tim Drake, Kristen Schaal as Harley Quinn, Andy Serkis as Alfred, Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon, Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Kiersey Clemons as Barbara Gordon, and John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, with Natalie Dormer, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, the voice of Ben Mendelsohn, Bruce Willis, Topher Grace, Katee Sackhoff, Paul Giamatti, Jason Isaacs, Ben Kingsley, and John Lithgow rounding out the cast.

After Batman's defeat of the Riddler, the Caped Crusader receives word of a new, even deadlier threat to Gotham City; a sadistic, clown-esque criminal called the Joker (more ambiguously referred to as "You-Know-Who" and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" by the frightened citizens of Gotham), who plots revenge against those who had wronged him in the past. When his evil plans put him in the crosshairs of the Dark Knight, the Joker becomes hellbent on emotionally shattering Batman, his allies, and all of Gotham beyond repair.

The film was released on July 16, 2025, and received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the acting, direction, and dark tone, but criticised the Joker's use of "gratuitous" violence, with most critics comparing this film's Joker to Victor Zsasz, or particularly nasty villains from horror movies.

Some of the costumes, makeup and character effects created for this film, including the Joker's Jeff the Killer-esque makeup and attire, and Mr. Freeze's makeup, were designed by Ironhead Studio, while others, like the Scarface puppet and Two-Face's scarred face makeup, were created by Alterian, Inc. The CGI Man-Bat and Doomsday were created by Tippett Studio.

Cast
Robert Pattinson as Batman, a vigilante who serves as Gotham's lone symbol of hope. Batman's personal troubles are conflicted by the loss of some of his friends and family members, and the arrival of an eccentic criminal mastermind spearheading the self-destruction and downfall of Gotham City itself.

John Malkovich as the voice of The Joker, a psychopathic terrorist who becomes Batman's gravest threat, and eventually all the Robins, killing Dick Grayson's family (paid off by Tony Zucco to do so), bludgeoning Jason Todd to death and brainwashing Tim Drake into becoming a mini Joker. His backstory in the film is that of an aspiring comedian whose elimination from a talent show causes him to become vindictive and insane. Doug Jones portrays the character on-screen under heavy prosthetic makeup.

Wes Bentley as Superman, one of Batman's most trusted allies and the hero of Metropolis. The Joker targets him by wiring a bomb to Lois Lane's heart, then spraying Superman with the Scarecrow's fear toxin and making him hallucinate seeing Doomsday, before finally detonating the bomb that kills Lois and destroys all of Metropolis. A furious Superman returns during the climax and kills the Joker by plunging his fist directly through the clown's chest. His story arc and actions in the film are beat-for-beat identical to the beginning of Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Harvey Dent, Gotham City's new district attorney and good friend to Bruce Wayne. While interrogating Sal Maroni for a Ponzi scheme involving the Joker (Maroni cheats the widows of everyone Joker murders out of millions of dollars), the ruthless kingpin tosses a sample of acid from Ace Chemicals in Dent's face, turning him into Two-Face, eventually becoming a fierce rival to Batman, blaming him for not doing enough to prosecute the criminals he faces.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Tim Drake, the second superhero to become Robin after Jason Todd is kidnapped and blown up by the Joker. He is brainwashed by the Joker into becoming "Joker Jr." during the climax.

Kristen Schaal as Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum who becomes interested romantically with the Joker, leading her to break out the clown after his first arrest and become his frequently-abused sidekick.

Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner James Gordon, Gotham's most respected officer. He is, unfortunately, targeted by the Joker, first by having his mother killed and daughter paralyzed, then nearly driven insane by Joker showing him pictures of his dead wife and his child, trying to make him believe that Batman never cared for him, because if he did, he would've protected his family pronto.

Kiersey Clemons as Barbara Gordon, Commissioner Gordon's daughter. Unlike most Batman media, Gordon never becomes Batgirl, instead becoming Oracle after being paralyzed by a gunshot from the Joker that also kills her mother, Sarah Essen.

Aaron Paul as Jason Todd, the first person to become Robin, Batman's sidekick, until he's kidnapped and killed by the Joker, a la Death in the Family. During a mid-credits scene, Todd emerges from his grave, wanting payback on the Joker, and finds a red hood laying on the ground.

Topher Grace as Punch, a professional puppeteer/jewel thief who gets hired by the Joker.

Katee Sackhoff as Jewelee, a professional puppeteer/jewel thief who gets hired by the Joker.

Ryan Potter as Dick Grayson, who's employed by Bruce Wayne as an accountant as Wayne Enterprises after his parents' murder.

Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's butler. Serkis also portrayed Bane via motion-capture performance, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.

Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, a morally ambiguous vigilante who develops a semi-relationship with Batman.

Natalie Dormer as Poison Ivy, a botanical-themed criminal who develops a romantic relationship with Harleen Quinzel. As she puts it, she's attracted to girls as wild as the plants she loves.

Paul Dano as The Riddler

Colin Farrell as The Penguin

John Lithgow as Arnold Wesker, a schizophrenic ventriloquist whose darker side is conveyed through his dummy, Scarface. Lithgow also performs the voice of Scarface, with Darci Lynne Farmer and Terry Sandin providing the puppeteer work.

Giancarlo Esposito as Victor Fries, a cryogenics scientist who wishes to preserve his ill wife, Nora. The Joker ends up in his crosshairs when Harley Quinn carelessly destroys the cryogenic tank containing Nora's body, killing her instantly. Seeking revenge on Quinn, Fries reinvents himself as the ruthless "Mr. Freeze".

Ben Mendelsohn as the voice of the Scarecrow, whose fear toxin the Joker steals as part of his ultimate revenge plot. Mick Morgana Ignis portrays the Scarecrow on-screen in a character suit.

Ralph Ineson as Ra's al Ghul

Paul Giamatti as Harvey Bullock, a police detective who works alongside Commissioner Gordon as one of Gotham's few honest cops.

John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, a major mob boss in the Gotham underworld.

Jason Isaacs as Sal Maroni, a major mob boss in the Gotham underworld.

Ben Kingsley as Lex Luthor, Superman's arch-nemesis who is the CEO of America's largest multinational conglomerate. In his brief appearance, he is reading a newspaper and shows interest in striking a deal with the Joker, naming him the world's most influential criminal in spite of how batshit crazy he is.

Kristen Stewart as Lois Lane, Superman's love interest (and pregnant wife-to-be) who gets killed by a bomb that also destroys Metropolis.

Sarah Jessica Parker as Nora Fries, terminally ill wife of Mr. Freeze.

Karen Gillan as Wonder Woman, another one of Batman's allies.

Taraji P. Henson as Sarah Essen, Commissioner Gordon's wife and Barbara Gordon's mother.

Donovan Patton as Tony Zucco, a former trapeze artist-turned-mobster who pays off the Joker to kill the Grayson family as payback for replacing his family act as the main attraction of the circus.

Mark Hadlow as the voice of Man-Bat, the evil alter-ego of scientist Kirk Langstrom.

Frank Welker as the voice of Doomsday, a hulking monster who appears as part of Superman's fear toxin-induced hallucination.

Nick Cannon as himself, the host of America's Got Talent, the show on which the man who would become the Joker starts out as a comedian; Cannon eliminating him at the end of the championship round is what causes the future Joker to lose his humanity and become a monster fueled by envy and plots of revenge.

Howie Mandel as himself, a judge on America's Got Talent

Simon Cowell as himself, a judge on America's Got Talent

Mel B as herself, a judge on America's Got Talent

Heidi Klum as herself, a judge on America's Got Talent

Several puppets from Henson Alternative's Puppet Up! shows are used for Punch and Jewelee's shows, performed by Grant Baciocco, Brian Clark, Peggy Etra, Genevieve Flati, Brian Michael Jones, Ted Michaels, Sarah Oh, Nicolette Santino, Colleen Smith, and Russ Walko. The film's credits refer to them as "The Miskreant Puppets".