Batman: The Long Halloween (film)
Delve into the shadowy world of Gotham City with "Batman: The Long Halloween," a gripping two-part animated film based on one of the Caped Crusader's most iconic comic book sagas. This direct-to-video masterpiece challenges Batman to solve a year-long string of holiday-themed murders, pulling him into a noir detective story that reshapes the future of Gotham's criminal underworld. Join the hunt as Batman, alongside allies and a growing rogues' gallery, races against the calendar to unmask a killer unlike any other. The film faithfully brings to life a pivotal comic book story that reshapes Batman's early career and the origins of several iconic villains. Batman, alongside a young Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent, engages in a year-long, holiday-themed hunt for a serial killer named 'Holiday'. The complex narrative explores the blurred lines between Gotham's heroes and villains, culminating in a shocking revelation of the killer's true identity.
AI Summary
Delve into the shadowy world of Gotham City with "Batman: The Long Halloween," a gripping two-part animated film based on one of the Caped Crusader's most iconic comic book sagas. This direct-to-video masterpiece challenges Batman to solve a year-long string of holiday-themed murders, pulling him into a noir detective story that reshapes the future of Gotham's criminal underworld. Join the hunt as Batman, alongside allies and a growing rogues' gallery, races against the calendar to unmask a killer unlike any other.
- The film faithfully brings to life a pivotal comic book story that reshapes Batman's early career and the origins of several iconic villains.
- Batman, alongside a young Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent, engages in a year-long, holiday-themed hunt for a serial killer named 'Holiday'.
- The complex narrative explores the blurred lines between Gotham's heroes and villains, culminating in a shocking revelation of the killer's true identity.
The Long Halloween Begins
In 2021, Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment brought to life "Batman: The Long Halloween," a two-part animated film. It adapts the legendary DC Comics storyline of the same name, immersing viewers in a dark, year-long mystery.
This film marks the 45th and 46th entries in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series. It serves as a significant installment within the second phase of the DC Animated Movie Universe, directed by Chris Palmer.
A City Under Siege
The story plunges us into a Gotham where crime boss Carmine Falcone attempts to launder his immense wealth. He approaches billionaire Bruce Wayne, ostensibly to mend family ties, but Bruce firmly declines any involvement.
On Halloween night, a new terror emerges: Johnny Viti, Falcone's nephew, is brutally murdered. A jack-o'-lantern and a distinctive pistol are left at the scene, marking the first strike of a killer soon to be known as 'Holiday'.
Gotham City PD Captain James Gordon, the enigmatic Batman, and newly elected District Attorney Harvey Dent form an uneasy alliance. They vow to dismantle Falcone's empire, but strictly within the bounds of the law—a promise that will be severely tested.
Escalating Tensions
Catwoman guides Batman to Falcone's hidden cash reserves. Harvey Dent, with a flip of his lucky coin, makes a fateful decision: instead of legally seizing the money, he burns it, igniting Falcone's wrath.
Falcone retaliates by hiring Mickey Chen to bomb Harvey's home. Though Harvey and his wife Gilda survive, they are hospitalized. Batman pursues Chen into the sewers, where he encounters the formidable Solomon Grundy, whom he convinces to spare Chen.
By Thanksgiving, the Holiday killer strikes again, murdering Chen and his associates. The same pistol and a Thanksgiving decoration are found, solidifying the pattern of a calendar-obsessed serial killer.
As Christmas Eve approaches, Batman and Gordon consult the enigmatic Calendar Man in Arkham Asylum. He cryptically names Falcone, Sal Maroni, and Harvey Dent as suspects, adding layers to the mystery.
Adding to the chaos, the Joker escapes Arkham. Furious that someone else is hogging the criminal spotlight, he harasses both Harvey Dent and Carmine Falcone, desperate for information on Holiday, only to have Falcone's bodyguard become the next victim.
New Year, New Suspects
On New Year's Eve, at a yacht party hosted by Falcone, Bruce Wayne meets Selina Kyle, who ends their complicated relationship due to their dual identities. Meanwhile, Joker attempts to gas Gotham Square, hoping to catch Holiday in the crowd.
Batman thwarts Joker's plot. Based on Alberto Falcone's clear resentment for his father and a love for puzzles, Batman initially deduces Alberto to be Holiday. However, the New Year's countdown ends in tragedy as Alberto himself is murdered by the killer.
A Venomous Twist
In a post-credits scene for Part One, Falcone cornered Bruce Wayne to coerce him into money laundering. When Bruce refused, Falcone introduced a captivating woman — Poison Ivy — who uses her powers to ensnare Bruce under her control, turning his eyes green.
Part Two: The Net Tightens
Over the next three months, Holiday continues striking on Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and April Fools' Day. Under Ivy's hypnotic influence, Bruce Wayne begins signing over his assets to Falcone, until Catwoman intervenes, breaking the spell and rescuing Bruce.
Bruce reveals a long-held secret to Gordon and Dent: as a boy, he witnessed his father, Thomas Wayne, save Carmine Falcone's life after an assassination attempt. This deep, hidden connection between the Wayne and Falcone families adds a new dimension to the ongoing conflict.
On Father's Day, Holiday claims another victim: Luigi, Sal Maroni's father. This act prompts Maroni to offer a deal: testimony against Falcone in exchange for immunity. Catwoman, meanwhile, observes Falcone paying a mysterious hitman at a cemetery.
The Fourth of July brings chaos as Scarecrow and Mad Hatter, robbing a bank for Falcone, capture Batman. He escapes, but Falcone's hitman then attacks Harvey and Gilda. Harvey wakes to find the hitman dead and Holiday's gun nearby, forcing him to flee from the arriving police.
On Labor Day, Harvey and Grundy ambush Maroni's prison convoy. Batman subdues Grundy, but Holiday shoots Maroni from a distant building. Later, Catwoman finally confesses her secret to Batman: Falcone is her father, and she seeks only to know her mother's name.
The Transformation of Dent
The public outcry grows, with Carla Viti, Johnny's mother and Falcone's sister, publicly accusing Harvey Dent of being Holiday. In court, Maroni confirms Batman's discovery of Holiday's guns in Dent's basement before throwing acid in Harvey's face.
Horrifically scarred, Harvey escapes the hospital, falls into Falcone's trap, and kills his captors. He takes refuge in the sewers, where Solomon Grundy offers him solace. Reborn as the vengeful Two-Face, he begins his terrifying transformation.
On Falcone's birthday, Carla Viti is killed by Holiday, further fueling the escalating gang war. Two-Face, now fully embracing his new identity, unleashes a horde of Arkham inmates — including Joker, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, and Mad Hatter — upon Falcone's stronghold.
Batman and Catwoman arrive amidst the chaotic assault. Two-Face, with a flip of his coin, executes Falcone. In the ensuing struggle, Falcone's daughter Sofia falls to her death. Falcone, in his dying breath, reveals a name to Catwoman: 'Louisa'.
The Shocking Truth
Two-Face surrenders, claiming responsibility for all the Holiday murders. However, Batman confronts Gilda Dent, Harvey's wife, the woman Alberto mentioned. She confesses to being the true Holiday killer.
Gilda reveals her deep-seated hatred for Falcone, who forced Alberto to annul their marriage and pressured her into an abortion, leaving her infertile. She married Harvey hoping he would bring Falcone down, but took matters into her own hands when he hesitated.
Believing her grim mission accomplished, Gilda asks if Batman will reveal her truth to Gordon. Batman remains silent, leaving her fate — and the weight of his decision — hanging in the balance, a final, ambiguous note to the long Halloween.
Cast & Legacy
The film boasts a stellar voice cast, with Jensen Ackles delivering a critically acclaimed performance as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Josh Duhamel voices Harvey Dent/Two-Face, and Naya Rivera portrays Selina Kyle/Catwoman in her final film role, to whom the first part is dedicated.
Other notable voices include Troy Baker as the Joker, David Dastmalchian as Calendar Man and Penguin, and Titus Welliver as Carmine Falcone. The Flash and Green Arrow also make brief, non-speaking cameos in Part Two's post-credits scene.
The film was initially announced in August 2020 at DC FanDome. Part One saw its digital, DVD, and Blu-ray release on June 22, 2021, while Part Two followed for streaming on July 27, with physical media on August 10, 2021.
Critically, "Batman: The Long Halloween" received widespread praise for its faithful adaptation, detailed animation, and suspenseful narrative. Reviewers lauded its ability to capture the noir tone and complex character arcs of the original graphic novel.
Jensen Ackles' portrayal of Batman proved so popular that he reprised the role in subsequent "Tomorrowverse" animated films. These include "Legion of Super-Heroes" and "Justice League: Warworld," solidifying his place as a beloved voice for the Caped Crusader.
Article
Batman: The Long Halloween (film)
Batman: The Long Halloween is a 2021 American two-part animated direct-to-video superhero film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, based on the DC Comics storyline of the same name. Part 1 is the 45th film, and Part 2 is the 46th film, of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, with both parts serving as the third and fourth installments of the DC Animated Movie Universe's second phase, and the nineteenth and twentienth overall. The film is directed by Chris Palmer and stars the voices of Jensen Ackles, Josh Duhamel and Naya Rivera in her final film role before her death the year prior and is dedicated to her memory. In both parts of the film, Batman attempts to unravel the mystery of murders committed on holidays throughout the year, and uncover the true identity of the serial killer Holiday.
Part 1 was released on June 27, 2021, and Part 2 was released on July 27 the same year. A deluxe edition combining both films was released on September 20, 2022.
Plot
Part One
Hoping to solicit help in laundering his funds, Gotham City mob boss Carmine Falcone meets with billionaire Bruce Wayne under the guise of repairing the relationship between their families. Bruce declines.
On Halloween, someone murders Johnny Viti, Falcone's nephew, and leaves a jack-o'-lantern and the hand gun at the crime scene. Gotham City PD Captain James Gordon suspects Falcone is responsible because Viti was planning to testify against him. Gordon, Batman, and newly elected District Attorney Harvey Dent swear to take down Falcone without breaking the law.
Catwoman leads Batman to Falcone's cash stockpile, with Harvey following. Based on a coin flip, Harvey decides to burn the money rather than move it legally and risk Falcone stopping them. In retaliation, Falcone hires triad member Mickey Chen to bomb Harvey's house. Harvey and his wife Gilda survive but are hospitalized. Chasing Chen down to the sewers, Batman runs into Solomon Grundy. Batman convinces Grundy to spare Chen and takes him to the GCPD for questioning. Lacking evidence of his involvement in the bombing, Batman and Gordon are forced to release him.
On Thanksgiving, Falcone's son Alberto sends roses to Harvey with a mocking "get well soon" card in his father's name. After finding out about this, an angry Falcone tells Alberto to never speak on behalf of the family again, especially to the Dents. Harvey escapes from the hospital and meets Gordon, who gives him a gun for protection. That night, Viti's murderer kills Chen and his associates before leaving the pistol and a Thanksgiving decoration behind.
By Christmas Eve, Gordon and Batman question Calendar Man in Arkham Asylum on the identity of the murderer who has now been nicknamed "Holiday". Calendar Man names Falcone, Sal Maroni, and Harvey as suspects and calls Batman's war on crime a "joke". Batman then realizes that Joker has escaped from Arkham. Not wanting Holiday to replace him as Gotham's most notorious criminal, Joker confronts Harvey in his home and threatens to kill him if he is proven to be Holiday. Batman visits Maroni, who Joker also attacked. Meanwhile, Joker harasses Falcone, asking that he share any new information about Holiday. Falcone's bodyguard Milos Grapa chases Joker out of the building and is killed by Holiday. Batman arrives and finds a Christmas snow globe, the pistol and Joker playing cards next to Grapa's corpse.
Bruce attends a New Year's Eve yacht party celebrating Gotham's children's clinic, hosted by Falcone, who calls out Bruce during his speech as the son he never had, angering Alberto. Bruce meets with Selina Kyle, who calls off their relationship due to their conflicting secret identities. Joker attempts to gas a concurrent celebration in Gotham Square using a stolen crop duster plane, hoping that Holiday is among the crowd. Meanwhile, Selina meets with Alberto to learn about the Falcone family. Alberto laments about never being respected by his father, who also rejected his fiancée from Oxford University. Batman foils Joker's scheme, and when Joker remarks that he "loves a good puzzle", Batman deduces that Alberto, who would benefit the most from killing his father's enemies and is known for his love of puzzles, is the killer.
At the yacht, Batman accuses Alberto of being Holiday, targeting Falcone's associates to gain power within the family. Alberto denies the allegations, citing he no longer wishes to be in his father's shadow, but never wanted control of the family business. As the New Year starts, Alberto is shot dead by Holiday and falls into the water, where the yacht's propellers cut his body to pieces. Batman pursues Holiday, who escapes via speedboat leaving behind the gun and a Champagne glass. As the ship is evacuated, Batman tells Gordon and Harvey to assign a protective detail to Falcone. Facing the fact that Joker and Alberto were not Holiday, the three wonder who Holiday is and who is next on his hit list.
In a post-credits scene, Falcone pressures Bruce to help launder his funds during Alberto's funeral. When Bruce refuses, Falcone introduces the woman accompanying him. Vines grip Bruce's arm as they shake hands and cause his eyes to turn green. The woman is Poison Ivy and has taken control of him.
Part Two
In the three months since Alberto's death, the Holiday Killer has targeted the Falcone and Maroni families on Valentine's Day, Saint Patrick's Day, and April Fools' Day. Meanwhile, Bruce has signed many of his assets to Falcone under Ivy's influence. Catwoman subdues Ivy and rescues Bruce. Alfred calls the police and Bruce's lawyers to arrest Ivy and stop the transactions.
On Mother's Day, while investigating the murder of Chong, a black market arms dealer posing as a teahouse owner, the GCPD discovers he was supplying Holiday with firearms. Later that night, Scarecrow escapes from Arkham Asylum and injects Batman with fear toxin during a confrontation. Forced to relive his parents' deaths, Batman is eventually found by Catwoman and taken home.
Gordon and Harvey question Bruce about his family's connections to Falcone. Bruce recalls how, as a boy, he watched his father save Falcone's life following an assassination attempt by Luigi, Maroni's father. Bruce assures Gordon and Harvey that any relationship between his family and Falcone ended after the death of his parents in what he believed was retaliation for saving Carmine.
On Father's Day, Holiday kills Luigi, prompting Maroni to approach Harvey and offer to testify against Falcone in exchange for immunity. Catwoman later follows Falcone to a cemetery and sees him pay a hitman.
On the Fourth of July, Batman is captured by Scarecrow and Mad Hatter as they rob a bank for Falcone. Batman escapes and defeats them as they drop off the cash in the cemetery. Meanwhile, Falcone's hitman attacks Harvey and Gilda. Catwoman intervenes, but the hitman knocks out both of them. Harvey awakens to find the hitman dead and one of Holiday's guns nearby. He flees as the police arrive.
Carla Viti, Johnny's mother and Falcone's sister, publicly accuses Harvey of being Holiday. While Harvey has Maroni in court, Batman meets Gordon and reveals that he found Holiday's guns in the Dents' basement, along with an Oxford University Pennant. At the court, Maroni accuses Harvey of being Holiday and throws acid in his face. Harvey is hospitalized but escapes, only to be picked up by Falcone's men. Harvey realizes it is a trap, and the two men are here to kill him for Johnny and Alberto's deaths. Harvey kills his guards and flees into the sewers, where he is nurtured by Solomon Grundy. On Falcone's birthday, Carla is killed by Holiday.
On Labor Day, Harvey and Grundy attack Maroni's prison convoy. Batman, disguised as a guard, subdues Grundy, but Maroni is shot by Holiday from another building, and all three criminals escape. Batman asks Catwoman about her obsession with the Falcone family. She confesses that Falcone is her father and only wants to know her mother's name.
Harvey, now calling himself Two-Face, and Grundy attack Arkham and free several inmates; Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, and Mad Hatter engage the GCPD while Two-Face, Grundy, Joker, and Penguin attack Falcone's building. They overwhelm Falcone's guards and his daughter Sofia. Two-Face prepares to flip a coin to decide whether Falcone will live or die. Batman and Catwoman arrive and defeat the rogues, but cannot prevent Two-Face from shooting Falcone. Distraught, Sofia tries to kill Two-Face with his own gun, but fails. She then trips over Poison Ivy's vines and, despite Catwoman's efforts, falls out a window to her death. Catwoman reveals her face to Falcone, who mentions the name "Louisa", and Batman inadvertently reveals his identity while offering medical help, which Falcone declines before dying in Bruce's arms. Two-Face turns himself over to Gordon, claiming responsibility for the murders.
Batman confronts Gilda, the woman Alberto mentioned the night he died and the true killer. She admits she hated Falcone, who forced Alberto to annul their marriage and forced her into getting an abortion, which ultimately left her infertile. Seeking justice, she married Harvey, believing he was her best chance to take down Falcone, but took matters into her own hands after realizing that he couldn't confront his demons as she could. Sure that Holiday is over, Batman leaves, not responding when Gilda asks if he plans to tell Gordon the truth.
On Halloween, children start trick-or-treating again. That night, Flash and Green Arrow visit Bruce.
Cast
Batman: The Long Halloween (film)
Part One of The Long Halloween was dedicated to Naya Rivera, serving as her final posthumous credit following her death in July 2020.
• Jensen Ackles as Bruce Wayne / Batman • Zach Callison as Young Bruce Wayne • Josh Duhamel as Harvey Dent / Two-Face • Billy Burke as Captain Gordon • Naya Rivera as Selina Kyle / Catwoman • Alastair Duncan as Alfred Pennyworth • Troy Baker as Joker, Antoni • David Dastmalchian as Julian Day / Calendar Man, Oswald Cobblepot / Penguin • Amy Landecker as Barbara Gordon, Carla Viti • Julie Nathanson as Gilda Dent • Gary LeRoi Gray as Officer Pearce • Fred Tatasciore as Solomon Grundy, Large Triad, Vincent Falcone • Jim Pirri as Sal Maroni, Arkham Guard • Titus Welliver as Carmine Falcone, Luigi Maroni
• Frances Callier as Nurse Tamara • Greg Chun as Mickey Chen • Jack Quaid as Alberto Falcone
• Laila Berzins as Sofia Falcone • Alyssa Diaz as Renee Montoya • John DiMaggio as Jervis Tetch / Mad Hatter • Robin Atkin Downes as Dr. Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow, Thomas Wayne • Katee Sackhoff as Dr. Pamela Isley / Poison Ivy • Rick D. Wasserman as Bodyguard
The Flash and Green Arrow make non-speaking cameo appearances during the second part's post-credit scene.
Production
Batman: The Long Halloween (film)
Batman: The Long Halloween was officially announced in August 2020, during the Superman: Man of Tomorrow panel at DC FanDome.
Release
Batman: The Long Halloween (film)
Part One was released on June 22, 2021, on digital download, DVD, and Blu-ray. Part One was originally supposed to launch the new animated continuity that originated in Superman: Man of Tomorrow and Justice Society: World War II, but was delayed due to the release of Matt Reeves' live-action film The Batman, which was originally going to adapt The Long Halloween for its plot. Once Reeves opted to take his film's story in a different direction, Part One was allowed to release earlier.
Part Two was made available for online streaming on July 27, and was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 10.
The deluxe edition released in September 2022 combined the two parts into one.
Reception
Commercial performance
Part One earned $659,774 from domestic DVD sales and $2,950,796 from domestic Blu-ray sales, bringing its total domestic home video earnings to $3,610,570. Part Two earned $454,659 from domestic DVD sales and $2,100,180 from domestic Blu-ray sales, bringing its total domestic home video earnings to $2,554,839.
Critical reception
Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One has garnered positive reviews for its faithful adaptation of the classic graphic novel. Both CBR and MovieWeb praised the film for capturing the tone and style of the original story, translating it into a compelling animated format. IGN Movies highlighted the film's detailed animation and its faithful representation of the noir elements central to the source material. The review praised the suspenseful narrative and complex characters, enhancing the story's depth. The Indian Express viewed the film as a worthwhile watch for Dark Knight enthusiasts, appreciating how it brings the graphic novel's intricate and dark narrative to life. ComicBookMovie praised Jensen Ackles' performance as Batman, describing him as an ideal choice for the role. The review also commended the film's visual style and adherence to the comic book's tone, which contributes to a highly engaging viewing experience.
Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two continues the narrative from its predecessor. Critics highlighted its exploration of Batman's battle against a series of iconic supervillains and the resolution of the Holiday Killer mystery. ComicBookMovie and IGN both praised the film for its epic resolution and effective wrapping up of key plot points. CBR lauded the dynamic portrayal of DC's villains and strong character development. MovieWeb reviewed the Blu-ray release, and noted the high-quality presentation and valuable special features that enhance the viewing experience.
Future
Batman: The Long Halloween (film)
Ackles reprised his role as Bruce Wayne / Batman in subsequent "Tomorrowverse" animated films including Legion of Super-Heroes (2023), Justice League: Warworld (2023), and the three-part Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths (2024). Baker similarly reprised his role as the Joker in the Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths.