The Dark Knight Trilogy, directed by Christopher Nolan, and based on the DC Comics character Batman, have become a huge aspect of post-modernist pop culture. The trilogy comprising of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises were critically acclaimed for its themes, direction, storylines, cast, characters, musical scores and numerous technical aspects. Most importantly, it is credited with reviving interest and popularity in the titular character. The final film in the series, The Dark Knight Rises was not as well received as it’s two predecessors, but it is full of references and brimming to the rim with themes.
Starting off with the two most primary themes and references that were explored in the previous two films, The Dark Knight Rises sees Batman, now a fugitive returning to Gotham City after eight years to save the city from a terrorist attack led by the villainous Bane. The film portrays a terror attack on an entire city led by Bane, that reminds one of the contemporary attacks in the real world. Bane additionally leads a social revolution where he pits people belonging to lower classes to stand up and revolt against the upper class masses, thereby plunging the city further into chaos. Bane also highlights the corrupt nature of the law and police officers.
The most prominent allusion is to a literary work – A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The novel featured a similar social uprising and the siege of a city, referring to the eighteenth century Occupy movements.
Coming to the main character of the film, Bruce Wayne/Batman is a symbol of battling inner demons and your opponents, whether mental or physical. Bruce Wayne is shown as an emotionally and physically broken individual, struggling with the loss of his loved ones, with a crucial moment of the film is symbolic of him rising up to these challenges and emerging victorious.
The Dark Knight Rises, overall is an engaging film that additionally has artistic and literary roots along with thoughtful and provoking themes.
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