The Batman feels right at home with some of the greatest detective noir films such as Seven and Zodiac. The Riddler's twisting plot might be hard to follow, but as with any excellent detective story: Once all the pieces make themselves known, the whole picture is very satisfying.

The film is stuffed with enough details and references to fill an entire cave. It would be insane to expect anyone to notice every detail on a first - or even second - watch. Some of these have fans speculating about the sequel, and some round out the mystery. Every single detail makes watching The Batman even more enjoyable.

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The Riddler... Or The Zodiac Killer?

Riddler-From-The-Batman-vs-Zodiac-Killer

In several interviews, director Matt Reeves has revealed how the character of The Riddler is inspired by the real-life serial murderer: The Zodiac Killer. For example, The Riddler's costume is based on eyewitness accounts of the Zodiac. There are a few other details that were only caught by eagle-eyed viewers.

The Riddler's cipher is very similar to the one used by the actual killer. Even more interesting is how the first card addressed to The Batman is a parody of a card the real Zodiac killer sent to the police. The Riddler's card depicts a cat with the words, "from your secret friend." The Zodiac also sent a card of a cat, but that one read, "From your secret pal." This detail make Paul Dano's chilling performance even more unsettling.

The Riddler In Plain Sight

Riddler hidden In 'The Batman'

The Riddler seems to be all over Gotham and always one step ahead of Batman. Part of the film’s fear comes from his appearances, taunting The Dark Knight from face time calls or lurking in the shadows.

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However, there is one appearance of the villain that slipped past most audience members. In the wide shot of the Gotham streets outside the Iceberg lounge as Batman and Catwoman leave, The Riddler can be seen up in his apartment window, seemingly taking pictures. Absolutely bone-chilling.

HUSH: One of The Bat's Greatest Adventures

HUSH-Reference-The-Batman

There are many references to Batman comic storylines, but two are the most prominent. The first is a nod to 'The Long Halloween' (1996), where Batman hunts down a murderer known as Holiday (It's funny because he kills only on holidays). The first murder takes place on Halloween in the comic - hence the title - just like the Riddler's first kill in the film.

Riddler’s projected video in the abandoned orphanage is the most blatant reference. The video features the name of a doctor named Edward Elliot, the grandfather of Bruce Wayne's childhood friend, Thomas Elliot. In the comics, Thomas Elliot became a bandage-clad villain named HUSH. This reference is brought home when the word HUSH is pasted over the video.

This Is Batman's Brain On Venom. Any Questions?

The Batman Threatening Penguin
Image via Warner Bros

During the film’s climax, Batman is shot in the chest by one of the Riddler followers, and is left unable to move. When Catwoman is attacked, Bruce takes out a suspicious green tube and injects it into his leg, which gives him a burst of strength and energy, which he uses to pounce on the goon and beat him to a pulp.

Some viewers have assumed this fluid is simply a modified steroid concocted by The Dark Knight, but the detail of the vile being green seems too specific to not be venom: An addictive drug in the comics used to increase strength and insanity. Venom is canonically what the beloved villain Bane uses to keep himself alive and kicking. Before that, it was introduced in 'Batman Venom'(1993), where Bruce was seen struggling with an addiction. Could either of these plot points be used in a sequel?

Not the First Time Batman was Vengeance

Batman: The Animated Series - Standing Over Gotham
Image via Warner Bros. Animation

The line "I am Vengeance" has been the tagline for this film. It may seem unique to Robert Patterson's iteration of the hero, but the line references Batman: The Animated Series. In episode 3 of season one, Batman says, "I am Vengeance. I am the night. I...am...Batman!"

RELATED:The Batman: 10 Easter Eggs You May Have Missed

This iconic line was a defining moment in the animated series for the caped crusader; similarly, the central theme of The Batman revolves around the idea of vengeance, so the line takes on a whole new meaning in this story.

Holy Secret Entrances, Batman!

The Batman Shakespeare Bust Comparrison With 1966 Show

This one is a deeper cut. Fans of the live-action Batman show from 1966 remember the classic bust of William Shakespeare that doubled as the switch to the secret entrance to the Bat cave. While the grounded and dark themes of Matt Reeves Batman have no connection at all to the goofy and lighthearted tones of the 1966 show, there is one small connection between them.

A similar bust of Shakespeare sits on the first floor of Wayne Manor in the new film. Although Bruce or Alfred are never seen flipping the head up, fans can find some solace in the thought that the bust may still be the switch for a secret entrance. Without further evidence who can say?

The End Credits Mystery

The Riddler Cipher

Fans who stayed till the end of the credits were disappointed in the lack of any real final scene. All that exists is a closeup of The Riddler's computer with the phrase, "Goodbye" and the flash of a website: Rataalada.com. What mystery's await those brave enough to visit the website?

Turns out, nothing much. The website has been up for months, slowly releasing Riddler's ciphers. These ciphers gave the community clues to figure out almost the entire Cipher alphabet; the only letter missing is 'J'. Fans seem to think this is a reference to the Joker, but his short cameo in the film makes this detail a pointless tease. The only other thing found on the website is a download of the video Riddler plays for Batman in the orphanage.

A Weight Lifted Off The Bat's Chest

The Batman Chest Plate

The most crucial detail to the theme of The Batman has slipped by seemingly everyone. Although it was never stated in the film itself, Matt Reeves has recorded that Batman's chest plate is welded from the same gun used to kill his parents. This sad detail plays into Batman's character arch for the film of struggling with selfish vengeance.

The beginning of the film shows Bruce as a slave to revenge. He keeps his parent’s murder literally near his heart in the form of the chest plate. At the film’s climax, he uses the chest plate as a knife to cut an electrical wire down; he electrocutes himself and loses the plate. The film’s last scenes keep this continuity of the chest plate missing from the Bat suit. This detail seems too on-the-nose not be intentional. By the end of the film, Batman has let go of his vengeful spirit in favor of being the hero Gotham needs; giving up and losing his chest plate symbolizes his character change. What a great way to end the film.

NEXT:How Long The Riddler's Plan Had Been In The Works.