10 Movie Villains Who Wanted To Be Caught

One of the many things that The Batman got right in 2022 was its villain. There is a ridiculously high expectation for cinematic Batman baddies, particularly after Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker, but Paul Dano's Riddler was met with almost universal acclaim.

He was ruthless, he had a supposed moral code by which he committed his crimes, and he was extremely intelligent. There was oddly an element of being too intelligent - as Robert Pattinson's Bruce Wayne was unable to keep up with him at times - but also flashes of delusion, as he truly believed that he and Batman were on the same team. He was leaving clues and breadcrumbs in the hope that Batman would figure out what he was doing and join him.

The final flourish of his plan to attack Gotham City, after targeting the powerful and corrupt, came with breaking the seawall and flooding the city. Since there would be very few places that could ensure anyone's safety in this, the Riddler made sure he was captured and taken to the unconventional sanctuary of Arkham Asylum.

It wasn't just protection that he was after when he was arrested, as in his mind he and Batman had been on the same page all along, and he thought he could watch the madness unfold with Bruce Wayne by his side. He was wrong, but at least with his incarceration he was able to meet the Joker, something which is sure to be explored in the future.