The Dark Knight Rises
A monolithic ascent through shadows into blinding light, where a broken soul finds the strength to rise. It is the weight of a dying city meeting the iron will of a legend.
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises

"The legend ends."

17 July 2012 United Kingdom 165 min ⭐ 7.8 (23,778)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway
Drama Crime Action Thriller
Resurrection and Ascendance The Power of Symbols Social and Class Warfare Lies as a Foundation for Peace Fear as a Motivator
Budget: $250,000,000
Box Office: $1,081,041,287

The Dark Knight Rises - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Bruce Wayne / Batman

Christian Bale

Archetype: Hero / The Fallen King
Key Trait: Unyielding Perseverance

Motivation

Initially motivated by a sense of obligation, he eventually finds motivation in the preservation of Gotham's soul and the desire for a life beyond the mask.

Character Arc

Bruce begins as a broken recluse seeking an end to his suffering. He must lose his wealth, his body, and his allies to rediscover the will to live rather than just the will to fight.

Bane

Tom Hardy

Archetype: Shadow / Revolutionary
Key Trait: Brute Intellect

Motivation

To fulfill the mission of the League of Shadows by destroying Gotham, fueled by his devotion to Talia al Ghul.

Character Arc

A physical and intellectual powerhouse who successfully 'breaks' Batman. However, his arc reveals him as a tragic figure—a protector turned destroyer driven by a misplaced sense of loyalty.

Selina Kyle / Catwoman

Anne Hathaway

Archetype: Antihero / The Trickster
Key Trait: Adaptability

Motivation

Survival and the acquisition of the 'Clean Slate' software to start a new life.

Character Arc

Starts as a self-interested survivor looking for a 'Clean Slate' to erase her criminal past. She eventually learns that she cannot outrun her conscience and joins the fight for Gotham.

John Blake

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Archetype: The Knight / Successor
Key Trait: Intuition

Motivation

Justice in its purest form, unburdened by the compromise of bureaucracy.

Character Arc

An idealistic cop who grows disillusioned with the red tape of the police force. He recognizes the necessity of the Batman and is ultimately chosen to inherit the mission.

Alfred Pennyworth

Michael Caine

Archetype: Mentor / The Father
Key Trait: Devotion

Motivation

The survival and happiness of Bruce Wayne, even at the cost of their relationship.

Character Arc

The emotional anchor who finally decides to stop enabling Bruce's self-destruction. His 'betrayal' is his ultimate act of love to save Bruce from the Batman.

Cast

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne
Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon
Tom Hardy as Bane
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Blake
Anne Hathaway as Selina
Marion Cotillard as Miranda
Morgan Freeman as Fox
Michael Caine as Alfred
Matthew Modine as Foley
Alon Aboutboul as Dr. Pavel
Ben Mendelsohn as Daggett
Burn Gorman as Stryver
Daniel Sunjata as Captain Jones
Aidan Gillen as CIA Op
Sam Kennard as Special Ops Sergeant