Bane will stop at nothing to crush Batman in Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall, the first of a three-part animated film adaptation of the 1993-94 comic series of the same name. (Yes, that is the movie’s actual title. But don’t get hung up on that.)

If you’re familiar with the story, then you know the central plot hinges around Bane grievously injuring Batman to the point where he may never go hand-to-hand with another villain. It’s a massive part of Batman’s identity and how he shows up in Gotham City. This initial chapter mostly serves to set up why and how this happens. We get a glimpse at Bane’s backstory, taking us back to his childhood as an orphan in a political prison. It’s hard not to feel bad for baby Bane, cursed from birth for his father’s role in a revolution and doomed to rot in solitary confinement until a twisted experiment turns him into a supervillain.

In the present, Jean-Paul Valley—a man tormented by Azrael, a violent, avenging alter ego he can’t control—is staying with Batman, Alfred and Tim Drake as they work to piece together how he came to acquire this unwelcome gift. But Batman isn’t focused. He’s still reeling from the events of A Death in the Family, where Jason Todd’s Robin is murdered by the Joker. Batman is haunted by Jason’s death, and it’s taken a toll on not just his mental state, but his physical body. Bruce seeks help from Dr. Shonda Kinsolving, a physical therapist with a holistic approach, but surprising no one, refuses to open up to her about his feelings.

Tim Drake has taken up Robin’s mantle, and Batman is clearly worried his new protege will meet the same fate as his last. He responds with hypervigilance, demanding Tim hang back or remain in the Batcave, snapping at Tim when he fails to follow instructions.

Everything is thrown into further chaos by a now-adult Bane, hellbent on destroying Batman—whom he blames for what he perceives as weakness in Gotham City—mind, body and soul. He’s done his research and he knows exactly which screws to twist.

Bane sets in motion a series of events designed to wear Batman down, the most egregious of which involves setting free every dangerous criminal locked in Arkham Asylum. This forces Batman to track them down one by one before they can wreak havoc, a task he insists on performing mostly alone—despite Robin’s willingness to help. The constant onslaught of mayhem has Batman running himself ragged, ignoring Alfred’s request that he pause for a meal or sleep.

It’s rare to see a villain one step ahead of Batman, a hero they don’t call the World’s Greatest Detective for nothing. While Batman’s been falling apart, Bane has been waiting, and it all builds to a dramatic climax that leaves Batman—and Gotham City—at their most vulnerable.

Fans of the original comic will find the story familiar, with some scenes ripped from the pages, yet there are enough twists and changes that make the story worth revisiting. Bane’s childhood teddy bear is absent, but he carries with him a magazine featuring Thomas Wayne on the cover.  There’s also one always laughing villain who seems suspiciously absent, making one wonder if they might show up in Part 2 or 3.

Like the best of DC’s many animated movies, Knightfall Part 1 plays well whether you’re familiar with the source material or not. It’s hard to imagine comic readers won’t be pleased to see such an iconic storyline brought to life with such skill and love. But if you’re not familiar with Knightfall, the movie works as a quick entry point into a well-known Batman tale that forces our hero to rebuild both his body and psyche, brick by brick.

Not to mention, Roid Rage Riddler! That’s right. If you’ve ever wanted to know what the Batman villain most likely to force you to play an escape room would be like if he had Bane’s go-go juice, well, here you go.

Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall is now available for digital purchase. Look for it on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on September 8^th.

Juliet Bennett Rylah writes about horror, Vertigo and the dark side of superheroes for DC.com. Follow her on Bluesky at @JBRylah.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Juliet Bennett Rylah and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.