Matt Reeves’ 2022 Blockbuster The Batman was predicted to be a success before any teaser or full trailer was released, the announcement of Robert Pattison as the titular hero was met with varying responses and proved a controversial yet radical choice, as was the film as a whole.

The film consists of grounded characters and sequences, letting the horror rely on realism and mirror more possible situations and crimes than other superhero films have previously depicted. The standout villain of the film is The Riddler (Paul Dano), who preaches his twisted ideals to his anonymous but loyal-to-a-fault followers online. The Riddler communicates to his crowd through blog-like posts and live home videos describing and documenting his hatred of and attacks on society, this incorporation of digital media exemplifies Shaviro’s post-cinematic approach, prioritising emotion-driven reactions over classic narrative techniques. The Riddler’s cryptic home videos are filmed without discipline or style and provide an unsettling sense of immersion in the film. The diversion from traditional cinematic techniques leave the viewer feeling the content is all too real in relation to real-life crimes and movements of the modern day, evoking strong emotions and unease.

A notable aspect in regard to the promotion of the film is that of its interactive website which was used as part of the marketing campaign for the movie. The dismal layout of the site included easter eggs and immersive clues for users to engage with and decipher independently, building a personal relationship with the narrative and characters, grounding them in a pseudo-reality, long before the film was released.

The inclusion of post-cinematic techniques through digital media presents a setting for genuine emotional engagement for the viewer. The film exists outside of the movie screen and extends to the minds (and domestic screens) of audiences, and the result of the film and its additional content emphasises viewers’ subjective experience and deep emotional reaction in a way that can only be achieved using these techniques.

Shaviro, S. (2016), ‘Post-Continuity: An Introduction’

Warner Brothers, (2022), ‘Rataalada.com’ available at: https://www.rataalada.com/

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