“What’s black and blue and dead all over? You,” were the words echoed by the sadistic character toward the masked vigilante within the first pieces of footage delivered from The Batman. Dano’s version of the character will present a more serious threat that many have associated with antagonists commonly seen within horror films. The Batman synopsis paints the villain as a killer targeting Gotham’s elite with a series of perverse machinations, which will spark immediate comparisons between The Riddler and Jigsaw from the renowned Saw franchise. In addition, the character will stay true to form through the clues and cryptic messages he eaves for the young Bruce Wayne, building a bridge of connection to a nightmarish presence of physical reality.

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In a recent interview with Empire, Dano spoke about the influences that fabricated the intimidatory villain. “So there are some grounding forces like the Zodiac Killer, right? But it’s still The Batman, and for me, it’s much bigger, so it was important to let my imagination react to the script, rather than strictly basing it on a serial killer,” stated Dano, who saw the Zodiac Killer influences as a starting point for the grounded film. Reeves previously spoke about the connected dots between The Riddler and the Zodiac Killer, who taunt heavily with coded and cryptic letters. Dano did not simply want to mimic this sadistic individual but used the influence as a leaping point to dive into the twisted psychology he sought to bring into existence.

Dano’s ability to balance his imaginative take with reality gives this antagonist the ability to become something memorable, but the costume design carries the most intrigue. “The costume was very intense,” stated Dano, pointing out the absence of the ostentatious flare commonly associated with most villains. “I think the potential DIY element you’re talking about was scarier to me than the more sophisticated or composed designs we might have played with. I found working with the costume to be very powerful. When you put on something like that, there’s a way to let it speak to you, and tell your body something. There’s a way to let it have a life of its own.” Classic images of the Riddler usually showcase the character dressed to the nines in his iconic green suit with question marks scattered throughout his attire. The decision to simplify Dano’s costume places the character firmly within realism but creates an acutely disturbing horrific aura.

Many will argue that the new version of the villain does not represent how the character is depicted, thus robbing it of its comic book accuracy. However, The Batman seeks to be grounded more realistically, which makes the presence of a serial killer within Gotham City understandable. The trailer points to a foreboding direction of the Bruce Wayne narrative, which helps the natural feel of the moments presented to create the horrific ambience audiences hope to experience. Christopher Nolan changed the direction of the superheroes arc, introducing a relatable character entrenched within a more realistic world. That realism connects with audiences and hopefully allows Dano’s villainous take on The Riddler to exceed expectations significantly.

Will the power Dano sees within his character carry over into the audience’s perception of the character? Patience will have to reign before an answer eventually floats to the surface. The presented trailers have generated a tremendous amount of buzz for The Batman as the narrative seeks to return to heights it hasn’t reached in almost a decade. Dano sees the intensity and power rooted within his character’s physical and mental attributes. The Batman swims within the theme of vengeance, but Dano’s role carries the most weight.

The Batman lands into theaters March 4, 2022.

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Source: Empire