Matt Reeves' The Batman is still on schedule for next year, despite recent reshoots in Scotland. The film is reported to be a darker retelling of the iconic superhero, showcasing Robert Pattinson as a young Bruce Wayne. The Batman will also mark the return of The Riddler, last played by Jim Carrey in Batman Forever. Reeves' Riddler will have Paul Dano donning the costume.
Dano has been an indie darling for years with roles in Little Miss Sunshine and Love & Mercy, and a directing credit for 2018’s Wildlife. But fans may be wondering if Dano can portray a villain like The Riddler. Skeptics can look no further than Dano’s performance in 2007’s There Will Be Blood.
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There Will Be Blood, directed by the prolific Paul Thomas Anderson, tells the story of Daniel Plainview, an oil prospector in the early 1900s. When Daniel is approached by Paul Sunday (Paul Dano) to purchase his family’s land in Little Boston, California, Daniel thinks he’ll be able to swindle the family into selling at a bargain price. His plans are thwarted by Eli Sunday (also Paul Dano), Paul’s twin brother and local eccentric preacher, who knows the potential of the land. He only agrees to sell the land if Daniel can give him thousands of dollars for his church. Daniel seems to be beaten at his own game and is forced to accept the deal.
Paul Dano is no stranger to playing detestable characters. His role as Tibbeats in 12 Years A Slave showed how his ability to be outright evil, while his criminally underrated performance in thriller Prisoners as Alex Jones proved his talent for deceiving audience members with body language and appearance. But Eli Sunday stands out as an unlikely villain thanks to his religious background and perceived pious nature. His preacher status gives him the perfect facade to hide his true nature behind, one of manipulation and power through religious guilt.
While many tragedies and victories happen to Daniel Plainview throughout the film, his main source of anguish and conflict comes from the taunting, ever-present upper hand of Eli. To all but Daniel, though, Eli is a savior. His sermons are a masterclass in persuasion, his acts of “healing” charismatic and full of theatrics. For example, when he “casts the devil” out of a woman suffering from arthritis, his congregation is roused from their seats and enamored with his performance.
The best showcase of Eli using his religious prowess to overpower Daniel Plainview is towards the end of the film. In a scene that builds with tension to a boiling point, Daniel is forced to publicly repent for his sins at Eli’s church in exchange for more access to potentially oil-rich land. With Daniel on his knees, Eli walks circles around him (figuratively and literally), feeding him lines to repeat in the guise of a baptism. For many excruciating minutes, audiences are forced to watch Eli humiliate and coerce Daniel into admitting deep insecurities, such as abandoning his adopted son over and over again. Instead of using violence, Eli uses his twisted words and theatrics to bring Daniel down.
These aspects make Eli Sunday a great stepping stone for Dano to jump into The Riddler, thanks to their similar behavior. What sets The Riddler apart from the swath of Batman’s other enemies is his use of manipulation rather than outright cruelty. By leaving behind riddles and puzzles for people to solve, he remains in power, pulling his enemies in the exact direction he wants. Reeves’ adaptation of Batman is planned to be a more grounded approach compared to other entries into the Dark Knight’s story. Bruce Wayne’s depiction will lean more towards a detective than a masked vigilante, while The Riddler will be stepping back from the campy green costume and cane.
Paul Dano’s turn as the Riddler will be taking heavy inspiration from the notorious Zodiac Killer, who terrorized Northern California through the 1960s and 1970s. Known for the cryptic messages he sent to authorities, the Zodiac Killer hid in plain sight, never identified, though many were assumed to be him, and reveled in the attention he was given. This subversion is similar to Eli Sunday’s religious veneer in There Will Be Blood, portraying one idea when a darker one lies under the surface and enjoying being put on display.
Perhaps Dano will be using his performance in There Will Be Blood to fuel his turn as the Riddler, bringing a new flavor to the iconic character. Whatever ends up on the screen, hopefully with his eccentric character with plenty of avenues to explore within him, The Riddler will finally get the recognition and showcase he deserves.
The Batman is currently scheduled for release on March 4, 2022.
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