"The Batman" is teeming with the crooks, thieves, and murderers that populate the seedier side of Gotham City. The film's color palette is composed of blacks, greys, and darkened tones, while the glow of the city lights adds to the neo-noir atmosphere. Despite the isolation audiences might feel as Batman focuses on a narrow path regarding his investigation of the Riddler, the film drops hints, clues, and even makes statements regarding a larger world of Batman lore and characters that sequels can inevitably flesh out.
Throughout the Riddler's campaign for justice through death and destruction, he seeks to assassinate the character of the city's leadership by exposing their most heinous truths to the public. During some of his ramblings that hit the airwaves, he discusses important figureheads in Gotham City like the Arkham family. One of his newspaper clippings even references Edward Elliot, another popular Gothamite who helped modernize the city. His descendent, Tommy Elliot, even becomes the villainous Hush in the comics. Later, Batman uses a venom-like substance to receive a boost of unbridled energy, which indicates that Bane might be in Batman's future.
Mentions of Blackgate Prison, Arkham State Hospital, and even Bludhaven are woven in the film's dialogue. These are all locales iconic to Batman lore. Audiences even get a glimpse of Arkham with the Riddler in his cell. The film even teases a popular Batman villain who cackles at the Riddler's comeback plans. There's plenty happening within the world of "The Batman," making it one of the film's best qualities for Bat-fans.
