Robert Pattinson Vs. Ben Affleck: Here's Who Played The Better Batman
Contains spoilers for "The Batman"
Matt Reeves' "The Batman" has finally arrived in theaters, giving fans a brand-new version of the legendary DC hero. The story picks up in Bruce Wayne's (Robert Pattinson) second year of crime-fighting — he's well-known throughout Gotham City, but the people aren't sure whether he's a hero or an untrustworthy vigilante who does more harm than good. This all works in the Bat's favor because he's created a legend that scares criminals whenever Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) shines the Bat-Signal brightly over the Gotham skyline. This grim take on the DC Universe has already been a hit with critics and fans alike, earning 86% on the Tomatometer against an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Although the 2022 movie introduces the terrifying Riddler (Paul Dano) — who wages war on corruption in Gotham — all eyes are on Pattinson's caped crusader. It's always interesting to see what a fresh version of a beloved hero looks like on the big screen, but it's equally fascinating to look at how they differ from previous iterations. There have been a number of actors to don the cape and cowl over the years, but one of the most popular stars to take to the screen is Ben Affleck — who stars in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Justice League" as an older Dark Knight.
But his unrelenting vicious streak is remarkably similar to Pattinson's younger take on the character, so let's take a look at who played the better Batman.
Robert Pattinson's tortured Batman
"The Batman" delivers a Bruce Wayne who is still feeling incredibly raw from the death of his parents, and while it doesn't force audiences to sit through another depiction of that night in Crime Alley, it's all too clear that the hero still tortures himself over their murder, from the savage way he attacks thugs in the film's opening to his unyielding strength to fight for Gotham's very soul in the dramatic finale. Previous versions of the hero have shown Batman's strength and power as a hero, while Wayne's playboy persona keeps the authorities from assuming who he really is.
But because Matt Reeves' story takes place early on in Wayne's vigilante career, he doesn't have the capacity to act like the billionaire philanthropist we've all seen before. He's so consumed by grief, he's just Batman. Fans online think that the way Pattinson commits himself to pushing Batman to his limits makes him the best version of the character. On Twitter, @FloNashton writes, "'The Batman' is the best Batman movie and it's the one that understand the character the best, it's crazy how much Robert Pattinson just embodies that role, and the way he's written as well is just f***ing perfect to me." They also added, "He's the best Batman to me AND THIS IS HIS FIRST MOVIE BRUH."
Meanwhile, @RichardOcelot tweeted that they believe the mood Pattinson exudes when he's in the suit cements his place as the best Batman, saying, "Robert Pattinson genuinely did give the best Batman performance out of anybody. Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, the lot. The way he carried himself and threw his weight around in the batsuit, nobody's had more presence in it."
Ben Affleck's grizzled take on the Dark Knight
However, Ben Affleck's stoic older vigilante wowed audiences back in 2016 when "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" first debuted in theaters. Although he's dealt with his demons, he's still haunted by the grief, which is why he's still completely dedicated to the cause. The free-flowing warehouse fight in particular is widely loved, with @GaiExJeeExE writing, "The BEAST Ben Affleck. The Warehouse scene is the best action scene we've had in a Batman movie." The older Batman benefits from having years of experience defending Gotham, so he feels wholly comfortable in the suit, but he has no qualms in using horrific tactics to brutalize the Gotham underworld. He even brands them with the Bat-Symbol. Ouch.
Sports reporter Ryan Risky believes that Affleck's performance stands above the rest, tweeting, "Ben Affleck is the best Batman. It's not a debate. He stole every scene he was in as Batman and Bruce Wayne." He also argued why he thinks Pattinson's didn't meet the mark, saying, "His performance in BvS & Zack Snyder's Justice League was phenomenal. Robert Pattinson was a great Batman, however his Bruce Wayne was underwhelming."
It's a good point — Ben Affleck did get the chance to explore more of Wayne's character out of the suit — but when it comes to Batman himself, there's a clear winner.
Robert Pattinson is the better Batman
Although Ben Affleck delivers a beastly performance as Batman, it's clear that Robert Pattinson is the better Batman out of the two. This is largely because the guilt and pain are constantly clear in Pattinson's character — he's desperate to save the innocent people in Gotham, even at the risk of sacrificing his own life. Battinson clearly struggles with the weight of being alone in the world, but he's also reluctant to form a meaningful connection with the likes of Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis) and Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz). However, his arc in the 2022 movie is about growing into something greater than just a violent vigilante.
By the end, he peels back his brutish, bullet-proof exterior in moments of kindness, helping Mayor Mitchell's son out of the Gotham Arena wreckage and holding an injured girl's hand as she's airlifted to safety. Unfortunately, Ben Affleck's Bat doesn't have many moments of tenderness in the suit, although his version of Wayne does help a young girl in the ruins of Metropolis in the opening of "Batman v Superman."
It's worth pointing out, however, that both Pattinson and Affleck give deep, brilliant portrayals of the character, and as @AMagicWriter perfectly put it on Twitter, "Idk who needs to be reminded of this BUT, Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson BOTH killed it." They also added, "There's no need for comparisons. Considering they both embodied different sides of #TheBatman." If you're missing Affleck's Batman, he'll next be seen in "The Flash" opposite Ezra Miller's Scarlet Speedster and even Michael Keaton's version of the hero. It's a great time to be a Bat-fan.