Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall (2026) Movie Review

Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall (2026) Movie Review: Die-Hard Dark Knight

It's been a while since we last caught up with a DC Universe Animated Original Movie and what a way to return. Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall takes a deep dive into a superhero we already know so well, but still manages to offer a compelling interpretation. Its darker tone, relatable material, fantastical elements, and engaging character arc all come together to make this an extremely satisfying watch. Our only complaint is that it had to end. As the first part of a planned trilogy, the film leaves audiences hanging and craving more.

When an explosion occurs at Arkham Asylum, all its inmates escape and unleash chaos across Gotham City. As Batman (voiced by Anson Mount) once again tries to save the city, the responsibility begins to take a toll on him, both physically and mentally. At his lowest point, he encounters a new nemesis one who calls himself Bane (voiced by Michael Mando).

At less than 80 minutes, you'll probably wonder why this story needed to be divided into a trilogy. The frustration however comes from how compelling Knightfall Part 1 is. Despite its short runtime, the film gives us a satisfying backstory for Bane and presents a very different version of the Dark Knight from the one we're used to seeing in live-action films. This Batman is clearly struggling, even more flawed, and the film puts his issues front and center. He isn't the idealized hero some audiences might expect and his stubborn refusal to ask for help or even take a moment to rest becomes a major driving force of the Knightfall Part 1 narrative. It adds a surprising amount of nuance to his character and creates a compelling point of conflict that we didn't anticipate coming into the film.

The film also doesn't hold back when it comes to violence and gore. Its gruesome deaths give the story a sense of weight and realism while the human cost of the chaos makes these moments more impactful. Considering that this is an animated feature, the brutality is even more striking. Seeing several villains from Batman's past was another highlight, although the short runtime means that some of these encounters feel a little rushed. Likewise, the same can be said for the character of Jean-Paul Valley whose purpose is still unclear by the time the credits roll. Still, Knightfall Part 1 delivers a memorable animated Dark Knight experience. It may not tell a complete story just yet but it makes the most of its first chapter and leaves us eager to see what comes next.

Rating: 5 reels