The defence The Arthouse Gremlin
“Form is the argument.”
Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Animation · Action · Mystery · 2013
Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing fifty-five-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl, but does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?
Movie details
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
“From the chronicles of the DC Universe comes the sweeping saga of rebirth, revenge, and redemption.”
2013 Animation · Action · Mystery 2h 28m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
8.1 / 10
Community rating
Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing fifty-five-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl, but does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over Batman: The Dark Knight Returns?
For the defence
The Arthouse Gremlin
“The stranger, the better.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Where it lives
Watch in your region.
Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.
Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.
Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Jay Oliva
Written by
Bob Goodman
Peter Weller
Bruce Wayne / Batman (voice)
Ariel Winter
Carrie Kelley / Robin (voice)
David Selby
Commissioner James Gordon (voice)
Wade Williams
Harvey Dent / Two-Face (voice)
Michael Emerson
Joker (voice)
Dee Bradley Baker
Don / Fat Mutant / Additional Voices (voice)
Maria Canals-Barrera
Commissioner Ellen Yindel (voice)
Court is in session
Put Batman: The Dark Knight Returns on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.