Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.The Dark Knight RisesA movie brief.
2012 / superhero / Directed by Christopher Nolan
The legend will rise again.
What is The Dark Knight Rises about?
Eight years after the death of Gotham City district attorney Harvey Dent, Bruce Wayne is forced to resume his role as Batman to save Gotham City from nuclear destruction. A mysterious villain named Bane threatens to destroy the city.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film is set eight years after the events of The Dark Knight and follows a retired Bruce Wayne being forced back into his role as Batman.
World
The film takes place in a Gotham City where organized crime has been eradicated by the Dent Act, but a new threat emerges in the form of the terrorist Bane.
Pressure
Bane, a physically imposing villain, puts pressure on Bruce Wayne and the city of Gotham by threatening to destroy it with a decaying neutron bomb.
Craft
The film features a blend of practical and visual effects, with IMAX cameras used to capture much of the footage, including the first six minutes of the film.
Viewing Note
The film is a conclusion to Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy and is a satisfying ending to the series.
A thought to take with you.
Bruce's return comes after Gotham has built a public story about peace around Harvey Dent. Bane's threat exposes the fragility of that order, while Bruce's physical limits and isolation make saving the city inseparable from deciding what legacy he can leave.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for the final chapter of Nolan's Batman trilogy, with a city under siege. The Dark Knight and Batman Begins provide essential character context.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked September 8, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach