Batman v Superman’s “Martha Moment” At 10: Still Controversial

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As a lifelong DC fan, I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs, and some moments that, let’s just say, didn’t land well. One that really sticks out is a particular take on Batman from the DC Extended Universe – and it’s hard to believe that film is turning ten this year! The DCEU was DC’s big attempt to create a shared cinematic world, starting with Man of Steel back in 2013, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was where we first met their version of the Dark Knight.

As the title says, this movie brought together the DCEU’s Superman (Henry Cavill) and Batman (Ben Affleck), featuring Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), as well. Dawn of Justice was a big box office hit, but it didn’t do that well with critics. However, Dawn of Justice went down in history for one specific moment that was very controversial: the “Martha Moment.”

Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice’s “Martha Moment” Is Still Controversial

A direct sequel to Man of Steel never materialized, but Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice came the closest. While it continued the story from Man of Steel and featured Henry Cavill as Superman, Dawn of Justice felt more like a continuation of the universe than a true sequel, as it also introduced Ben Affleck as Batman.

In Dawn of Justice, Batman is a seasoned crime fighter who has already experienced a significant personal loss – the death of Dick Grayson. While the film briefly shows Bruce Wayne’s childhood, it primarily centers on the present-day Bruce, haunted by the destruction he witnessed during Superman’s fight with General Zod.

Bruce witnessed the devastation caused by Superman and came to see him as a danger to humankind. Meanwhile, Clark criticized Batman’s methods in his reporting for the Daily Planet. Their conflict escalated when Lex Luthor cleverly used them both to achieve his own goals.

Luthor’s scheming sets up a showdown between Superman and Batman. Superman knows Luthor is behind everything, but Batman is prepared to kill him. After using kryptonite to weaken Superman, he urgently tells Batman to “save Martha,” meaning Superman’s adoptive mother, Martha Kent, who Luthor had kidnapped.

Batman was stunned when Superman mentioned the name “Martha” – it was also his mother’s name. This realization, sparked by Batman’s angry question, made him see Superman as a person, and they were able to work together to save Superman’s mother. Despite everything else that happened in Dawn of Justice, the scene where they connect over their mothers – often called the “Martha moment” – remains the most talked-about, and divisive, part of the film, drawing both criticism and amusement.

The scene involving Martha Kent, often called the “Martha moment,” has been criticized for being poorly written, overly sentimental, and a convenient way to resolve a conflict that didn’t make much sense in the first place. The dialogue feels unnatural and forced, especially because Superman could have simply called her “Mom” instead of using her name, making the whole exchange feel awkward.

The scene often called the “Martha moment” quickly resolved a major conflict between two iconic superheroes, but it failed to create a genuine emotional connection with the audience. Instead, it came across as unintentionally funny and has since become the most widely mocked part of Dawn of Justice, constantly referenced and parodied by fans.

How Has Batman v Superman Aged After 10 Years?

Next March marks the 10-year anniversary of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and most people still feel the same way about it. With everything that’s happened with the Justice League films, The Batman, and the new direction of the DC Universe, it’s even clearer now that Dawn of Justice hasn’t held up over time, and the infamous “Martha moment” isn’t the only reason why.

Bringing Batman and Superman together in Dawn of Justice was a really ambitious undertaking. However, the movie tried to do too much, resulting in a complicated plot filled with inconsistencies, gaps in the story, and characters that didn’t feel quite right. Several storylines and characters also weren’t fully developed.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice didn’t really feel like a continuation of Man of Steel, and the way it portrayed Superman and Batman caused a lot of debate. Superman was depicted as brooding, and Batman as overly violent. Plus, Jesse Eisenberg’s take on Lex Luthor wasn’t the clever, scheming billionaire fans were used to.

The overall feel of Dawn of Justice didn’t quite work; it was too grim and pessimistic, and it missed the lighthearted, optimistic moments fans expect from superhero films. While the movie pushed boundaries and encouraged a more thoughtful approach to the genre, it also showed that going too dark could be a risk. It both broadened what superhero movies could be and cautioned against losing the fun.

While Dawn of Justice is ultimately an enjoyable film, it didn’t quite reach its potential as a truly great and memorable superhero team-up.

Ben Affleck’s Batman Never Reached His Full Potential

Sadly, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice marked both the start and the finish of Ben Affleck’s time as Batman. Like the film itself, Affleck’s portrayal of the character was a grittier take on the classic hero, but he was also presented as older and more seasoned than previous actors in the role.

That experience shaped Affleck’s Batman, leading to his cynical worldview and letting the DC Extended Universe delve into his more troubled nature. Sadly, after Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the character wasn’t given the chance to fully develop and never lived up to its potential.

Ben Affleck reprised his role as Batman after Dawn of Justice in both cuts of Justice League, a short cameo in Suicide Squad, and The Flash, which was his last time playing the character. Now that the DCEU is finished, the new DC Universe will feature a different Batman, and it’s expected that filmmakers will avoid the pitfalls of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

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2026-01-26 17:39