Why Flawed Heroes Make Fans So Angry | The Batman & Lanterns Video Essay

Why do flawed superheroes make some fans so angry? In this video essay on The Batman, HBO’s Lanterns, and James Gunn’s Superman (2025), I explore why the heroes who feel most human are often the ones I find most compelling—and why those same qualities can provoke such strong reactions. With The Batman Part II on the horizon, I keep thinking about what fans want from Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne in The Batman 2. His first film gives him room to fail, question his mission, and begin to change. Those are exactly the qualities I hope Matt Reeves continues to explore—and they connect directly to the debate around Hal Jordan in Lanterns and what we expect from our superheroes. Robert Pattinson’s Batman has been dismissed as weak and “too emo.” Hal Jordan’s characterization in Lanterns has sparked arguments about whether the show respects its hero. And Superman raises a question that connects them both: if someone with that much power can embrace his humanity, why do we expect other heroes to rise above theirs? As a filmmaker, I’m interested in what these imperfections make possible. A hero who makes mistakes has something to confront. Someone who struggles with relationships, identity, or their own judgment has room to grow. Being capable of extraordinary things doesn’t mean knowing how to live with yourself. In this Batman, Lanterns, and Superman video essay, I explore: • THE BATMAN (2022): How Matt Reeves uses Bruce Wayne’s trauma, isolation, and relationship with Alfred to shape his character—and why his journey from vengeance toward hope requires more than winning another fight. • HAL JORDAN IN LANTERNS: How confidence, experience, and willpower can coexist with arrogance and destructive decisions. What happens when being Green Lantern becomes so central to Hal’s identity that he struggles to recognize the consequences of his choices? • SUPERMAN (2025): Why Clark Kent’s compassion, vulnerability, and desire to belong give his extraordinary abilities meaning—and how expecting him to be perfect can obscure what makes him compelling. • THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FAN EXPECTATIONS: How character schemas, expectancy violations, and character identification offer possible explanations for why a different interpretation of a beloved hero can feel so wrong—or so personal. If you’ve wondered why people hate The Batman, why Hal Jordan is hated by some viewers, or why flawed heroes in movies divide audiences, this is my perspective on the expectations we bring to these stories. These psychological ideas aren’t a diagnosis of anyone who dislikes a movie or show. We can disagree about a creative choice while still exploring why these characters matter so much to us. I love the superhero fantasy. But I also love stories that let Batman, Hal Jordan, and Superman struggle with the things power can’t fix. Sometimes, it’s the things that make them human that make us feel a little less alone. 💬 Which superhero feels most human to you? And when does a character’s flaw make a story more compelling—or feel out of character? Let me know in the comments. Subscribe to Film by O’Bryan for more film analysis, DC character discussions, Batman theories, and the stories I can’t stop thinking about. Written and presented by William O’Bryan | Filmmaker SPOILERS: Includes discussion of The Batman, Superman (2025), and plot developments in Lanterns. COPYRIGHT / FAIR USE NOTICE This video incorporates excerpts and images for criticism, commentary, and analysis. Their use is intended to qualify as fair use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. Rights to third-party material remain with their respective owners. This video is an independent work of commentary and is not affiliated with or endorsed by those rights holders. #thebatmanpartii #TheBatman #Lanterns #Superman #superman2025