There’s been plenty of changes with The Flash Film as well, where star Ezra Miller has had their share of controversy. But amidst all of that, DC has given fans some interesting and unique content this year. The Batman, for example, was a dark and gritty take on the title character and was more akin to Oscar-fare than past DC projects. The directing was excellent, the cinematography was exquisite, and the acting was outstanding. The Batman is certainly DC’s high point of 2022, especially when it comes to performances. Still, other DC movies and shows have similarly produced some great turns from actors.
RELATED: James Gunn Says DCU Video Games Planned
Robert Pattinson in The Batman
The Batman was, for once, a bat-film that was focused on the title character. In years past, Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, and other actors have played the iconic hero in films where the villains, like the Joker or Penguin or Bane, would steal the show. For example, it was Heath Ledger’s Joker that ended up being the lasting impact of The Dark Knight, and the same can be said for Tom Hardy’s Bane in the follow-up.
That was a formula that worked extremely well before, but writer/director Matt Reeves went for a new direction in his film that was more focused on Batman and Bruce Wayne than before. Robert Pattinson was in nearly every scene of the film and had a substantial arc that included his familial roots and what it means to be a hero. He was Batman more than he was Bruce Wayne, which made for a captivating character. Even as Pattinson was masked up for most of the film, his performance still shines through. His hero is a quiet, reserved, and reflective version of the Caped Crusader, and the writing is excellent in that regard. Still, Pattinson is one who brings this character to life with an excellent portrayal.
John Cena in Peacemaker
DC’s brightest project in 2022 wasn’t on the big screen. Peacemaker, the Suicide Squad spinoff from James Gunn, premiered on HBO Max to critical acclaim, and much of that was due to the central performance from John Cena. Cena had already lent the character of Peacemaker some depth in The Suicide Squad, but in the course of eight episodes, he was able to dive much deeper into the psyche of a man who truly thinks he is doing the right thing.
The humor that Cena brings to the role is undeniable, but it’s the quieter, more subtle moments that really show how invested he is in this character. Gunn’s writing conveys how emotionally damaged Peacemaker is due to his childhood trauma caused by the death of his brother and the abuse from his racist supervillain father. Cena brings so much pathos to a character that could have easily been a complete joke, conveying how much he suppresses his feelings to avoid being vulnerable. In one stunning scene, Peacemaker sits down at a piano and plays a quiet, heartbreaking rendition of Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home.” It was revealed after the episode aired that Cena actually played this, showing just how dedicated his performance was.
Aldis Hodge in Black Adam
Much has been made of Black Adam in the weeks since it was released. The film didn’t make as much as the studio had hoped for at the box office, nor did it receive the best critical or fan response. Yet, the appearance of Henry Cavill as Superman and The Rock’s persistence and commitment to the antihero means that this film has generated a degree of buzz, even if it’s not as much as they’d hoped.
Black Adam introduces the JSA, a group of heroes similar to the Justice League. One of the leading members is Hawkman, played by Aldis Hodge. Hodge proved to be one of the best things about this film, giving an interesting performance that actually had some emotional weight. So much of this film felt forced or false, but Hodge provided a bit of realness that the rest of it desperately lacked. In so many ways, Black Adam felt like an advertisement for a movie rather than an actual movie; explosion after explosion and even the typical local family plot line, but lacking all substance. However, with Hodge there, he at least brought something unique to the table, earning him a spot on the list of DC’s strongest performers of 2022.
Zoe Kravitz in The Batman
Back to The Batman, Zoë Kravitz brought Catwoman back to the big screen as she played a sizable supporting role in Matt Reeves’ film. The iconic nature of Michelle Pfeiffer’s Selina Kyle in particular has made any iteration in the years since particularly challenging. There’s also a large amount of villains and characters in this film, so much so that it would have been easy for Catwoman to get lost amidst all the chaos.
Fortunately, Kravitz puts in an exceptional performance that means that not only is her Catwoman memorable, she’s often a scene stealer. Her chemistry with Robert Pattinson is great, even when the two both have masks on. Kravitz also expertly brings a moral greyness to the role, such is the nature of this character, while also still holding her as an ally of Batman’s and a trusted partner. There’s so much nuance here, in part because of the writing but also because of what Kravitz brings to the table. There’s no doubt that she is an amazing Selina Kyle, and if Warner Bros. ever wants to have another crack at a Catwoman solo film, they already have the perfect star.
Jeffrey Wright in The Batman
Finally, Jeffrey Wright appeared in The Batman as Jim Gordon, the Caped Crusader’s ally within the Gotham police department and, in this film, the Watson to Batman’s Sherlock Holmes. Gordon was one of the standout characters of The Dark Knight Trilogy and was also played well by Ben McKenzie in the television series Gotham, so it would have made sense for the character to be deemphasized a little bit for this first outing, much as Alfred was at times.
However, Gordon was right in the thick of the action throughout this film, aiding Batman’s investigation into the serial killer plaguing the city. What Jeffrey Wright brings to this role in this film is a genuine kindness and warmth that automatically tells the audience that this character can be trusted. Gordon has always been a friend to Batman, but he’s especially one here. Wright is another standout of this film, shining bright throughout and also bringing uniqueness and freshness to this classic hero.
MORE: What Does Wonder Woman 3’s Cancellation Say About The New DCEU?
