WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Batman, now playing in theaters
The Batman’s nearly three-hour runtime makes it one of the longest superhero films ever. But in that time, it introduces plenty of classic Batman elements, including many of his most iconic allies and enemies. But there’s one notable figure who’s largely underserved in the otherwise overstuffed film and whose lack of presence could have been made far more dramatic. The Batman almost kills Alfred (Andy Serkis) via a bomb sent by the Riddler, which lands the character in a convenient coma until the plot needs him to relay information to Bruce. However, it might have been more interesting if the film had actually killed him off instead.
Matt Reeves’ take on Alfred Pennyworth is one that’s largely disconnected from Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson), though not for lack of trying. Alfred frequently visits Bruce while he’s in his makeshift Bat-Cave, helps him try to solve Riddler’s (Paul Dano) puzzles and offers a sympathetic ear to his cause. But Bruce is quick to brush off Alfred, even cruelly reminding Alfred he’s not a member of his family. This makes his eventual fate as the unintended victim of a Riddler bombing all the more tragic. and, by the time he awakens, he’s forced to reveal his complicity in Thomas Wayne’s darkest secret. Thankfully, he also gives Bruce valuable advice and guidance, allowing the pair to affirm their bond once and for all.
But in an epic film that tracks the mystery of the Riddler, the rise of Penguin, the evolution of Catwoman and the fate of Gotham, Alfred and Bruce’s relationship is arguably one of the most underplayed plot threads. The sheer scope of the film likely prevented it from getting the attention it needed to truly land, instead serving as a minor character beat. In fact, Alfred’s only really important role in the second half of the film is to rebuke the argument from Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) that Thomas Wayne supported his murder of a reporter working on a story about Martha’s connection to the Arkham family. The fact that these revelations could have been made with a tape recording or by other means shows how little this version of Alfred gets to do in the film.
Serkis is strong in the role, giving his take on Alfred a natural and lived-in rapport with Bruce that borders between affectionate and judgmental. But it’s worth wondering if the bombing of Wayne Tower that put him into a coma should have killed the character instead. It would have deepened Bruce’s desire to solve the mystery of the Riddler but also could have become an important sign of him overcoming his desire for vengeance by sparing his life despite the additional loss he’s forced onto him. Losing his strongest support system would have pushed Bruce to the brink in a dark way, further allowing the filmmakers to explore the idea of what a rash Batman might really look like. It would also justify the sheer lack of Alfred in the second half of the film, while also turning the character into another piece of Bruce’s mission.
Ultimately, it’s likely a good thing Alfred survived because it allows Serkis to return for any of the proposed follow-ups to The Batman that director Matt Reeves has teased. But in terms of this singular film, it might have been worth it for Alfred to go the way of his current comics counterpart and not survive his encounter with a major member of the Bat-Rogues, as it would have at least given the largely forgotten subplot about him and Bruce more thematic weight.
To see how Alfred is underutilized, The Batman is in theaters now.
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