Batman. Son of Batman. Robin. There are so many Batman spin-offs. 1992’s Batman Returns also had a Christmas theme behind it, but that was rather dark. Thirty-one years later, Merry Little Batman revisits Gotham around ‘The Most Wonderful Time of The Year’ and showcases a successor to the cape and the cowl. I loved the villains’ idea of stealing a festival, as it is the hope that would get broken, with the rest simply falling into place. But how does Damian Wayne factor into all this? Why did Joker rely on the child? It all comes down to ‘The Clown Prince of Crime’s ability to adapt on the fly and make the best of a situation. Francine and Terry’s foolhardiness, on the lines of the burglars from any Home Alone movie, provided the Joker with an opportunity.
Merry Little Batman (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Merry Little Batman kicks off at Wayne Manor. Damian Wayne, Bruce’s son, chases Selina, the cat burglar, as she has stolen a paper drawing. While most may see this as playing, young Damian believes he is training to be a superhero. Bruce informs him that being a superhero requires focus, responsibility, sacrifice, and a high pain threshold. Damian could develop the four requirements, but there is a problem. Gotham City is crime-free and the safest place on Earth. The reason?
Batman worked overtime to rid the city of the Rogues’ gallery, with his battles against The Riddler and Scarecrow being shown. Bruce does oblige, handing Damian a Bat Utility Belt (the first one he wore) containing a batmergency whistle for batmergencies only and a foam Batarang. This is a Christmas gift, which is about to get better for young Damian. Bruce receives an SOS from the Justice League, requiring him to step in as Superman has plans and The Twins are not talking to each other.
Damian tries his best to sneak off with Batman, but he is caught and ordered to stay put. In his insistence on accompanying his father to Nova Scotia, he injures Alfred. This sees Bruce confiscate the Christmas gift and head out on his mission. He wants Damian to prove that he is worthy of such a gift. When Batman learns he is tricked, he tries to return. Meanwhile, a mischievous Damian tricks Alfred and has to locate the belt (Bruce’s first one) that Francine and Terry stole from Wayne Manor.
Merry Little Batman (2023) Movie Ending Explained:
Does Damian Wayne get his Bat Utility Belt back from the Rogues?
Damian Wayne goes to a department store Santa and learns he has walked into a trap. Santa is Bane, and Santa’s elf is Poison Ivy. Damian gets his belt back but loses it even after overcoming Ivy and Bane. However, he continues and falls through thin ice, where he meets The Penguin. Joker manipulates Damian to fight Oswald Cobblepot, which sees the AI Bat-Dad get compromised. After a sky battle at the Christmas Parade, Penguin lets go of the belt and allows Damian to plummet with it in his hands to the land. Bat-Dad conks off entirely after the inflation procedure saves Damian.
They present Little Bat with a gas-filled greeting and knock him out. Upon coming, Little Bat is invited to the Super Villains’ Christmas party, where he receives a gift: an upgraded Bat Utility Belt. This is because Joker wishes to appreciate Damian for his contributions. Damian turns it on and uses the explosives. This results in Joker’s snow globe, which encloses the party house, shattering. The belt also breaks into pieces. So yes, Damian Wayne gets the Bat Utility Belt, but he does not manage to keep it.
How does Damian Wayne earn Bruce Wayne’s Bat Utility Belt?
The Joker works in cahoots with Poison Ivy, Bane, and Mr. Freeze to get Batman out of Gotham and to keep him there. Bruce Wayne tries to repair his transportation and arrives. He attempts to locate Freeze but falls victim to the Freeze gun after a short battle. Bruce understands why he is lured out of Gotham but is alarmed when Victor tells him a small bat has made an appearance. Off-screen, the caped crusader overcomes Victor Fries and tosses him into the Poison Ivy/Joker/Penguin/Bane vs Damian battle. Unfortunately, the bonds were not secure.
This results in Mr. Freeze joining the battle. Joker strikes Batman with a mallet and eliminates him from the equation. When Batman comes to, he sees his son dealing with all five threats. This spurs the Dark Knight to rise and join forces with his son. Damian’s perseverance and skill re-instill his father’s belief in him. This had been an issue a mere hours back, but it is safe to say the Christmas Eve sentiment is not an issue on Christmas Day. Bruce Wayne hands Damian Wayne a Bat Utility Belt (Batman’s very own and not a hand-me-down). But what about Batman’s Utility Belt? Well, Batman always carries a spare.
How does Batman save Christmas?
Over the course of the Merry Little Batman, it is clear Joker made this plan. He seems delighted that Damian is still in pursuit of the Bat Utility Belt. Joker’s primary idea is to steal Christmas to kick-start crime’s return to Gotham. He uses Damian Wayne as a distraction to keep the attention away from his villainy and ensures the people of Gotham have no gifts on Christmas morning. The citizens of Gotham turn on the Little Bat and chase him as he has destroyed the floats. Public opinion is against the Little Bat, but that changes once Batman returns to Gotham to save the day.
The Dark Knight stops the five villains. He then uses the Bat vehicle to fly over Gotham, return people’s belongings, and deliver their stolen presents. Damian shares a theory about Joker with his father that sees initial pushback. However, Bruce relents and has his Christmas dinner with Joker. This meal even sees Alfred admit that the song “Jingle Bells Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg” is quite catchy.
What did you make of the Amazon Prime Original – Merry Little Batman?
