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Matt Reeves’sThe Batman(2022) captivated the audience with its dark and gripping portrayal of the iconic character. The director presented a fresh take on the older characters, especially the menacing DC villain.
The Riddler was originally portrayed by Frank Gorshin, who set the tone for future interpretations of the villain, from Jim Carrey to Conan O’Brian to the most recent one, Paul Dano. But the 2022 character was much more unsettling, perhaps because the director modeled him after a real-life serial killer.
The sinister model forThe Batman‘s iconic villain
The Riddler‘s character is not a new one for DCEU fans; he originated from the comics and was later played by various actors in the live-action movies. But Paul Dano’s portrayal of the notorious villain was different from what had been done before. DirectorMatt Reeveshad drawn inspiration from a real-life criminal for this realistic portrayal.
The premise of the movie is that the Riddler is kind of molded in an almost Zodiac Killer sort of mode,
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In an interview with MovieMaker.com (per Looper), Reeves confirmed the suspicion many people had about the villain. The Riddler’s character was inspired by none other than the infamous Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1960s and 1970s.
In the wake of the murders, [Riddler] reveals the ways in which these people were not everything they said they were, and you start to realize there’s some kind of association.
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The resemblance is uncanny when we compare their mode of teasing the authorities after committing the crime. Perhaps this real-life dark criminal aided the actor in portraying a more gritty version of the deranged villain.
Zodiac Killer 2.0: Similarities and Contrast
Like The Riddler, theZodiac Killerwas notorious for taunting the police with cryptic clues and codes at his crime scenes. This twisted game of cat-and-mouse has eerie parallels with the on-screen villain’s modus operandi. Both reveled in the trill of outsmarting their pursuers, leaving behind a trail to tantalize and frustrate.
But there is a stark difference in the lives of both criminals, of course, except one being real. One was caught, but the other remained undefeated. WhileDano’s The Riddler was ultimately brought to justice byBatman, the real-life serial killer remained elusive. His true identity remains a mystery to this day, leaving behind only his haunting legacy.
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The director’s decision to draw inspiration from this dark chapter in American history added a layer of depth to the on-screen criminal’s character. His interpretation of the DC villain made him appear more grounded, threatening, and realistic.The Batmanexplored, in a true sense, the nature of evil and people’s fascination with serial killers.
WatchThe Batmanon Amazon Prime Video.
Shruti Pathak
Articles Published :286
An entertainment writer with a passion for storytelling that transcends genres, Shruti Pathak is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English. She is also a devoted poetry enthusiast, exploring the beauty of language and emotion through verse. Obsessed with the show Friends, a self-proclaimed swiftie, and inspired by classical literature these are just some characteristics that describe the novice writer. Newly joining FandomWire as an intern writer, she hopes to share her thoughts while sharpening her writing skills on various entertainment topics.
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