Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent and noir-ish Batman is engaging but cynical.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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DCU: Son of Batman
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say the film is a solid, action-packed animated feature that excels in character development, particularly the bond between Batman and his son, Damian Wayne. However, many reviews caution against its graphic violence and mature themes, deeming it suitable mainly for older children and teens, with some suggesting that parental discretion is advised due to its explicit content.
- graphic violence
- character development
- parental discretion
- suitable for teens
- mature themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DCU: SON OF BATMAN, after an uprising within the League of Shadows that results in the destruction of their secret training camps in the mountains, Thalia and her tween son Damian (Stuart Allan) flee to Gotham City to seek the protection of Batman, who does not know he is Damian's father. After the villain Deathstroke (Thomas Gibson) kidnaps Thalia, Batman/Bruce Wayne (Jason O'Mara) must try to take care of the hot-tempered Damian, who is determined to hunt down and kill the bad guys without thinking twice about the consequences of his actions. When Deathstroke also kidnaps a professor who has developed serums that can turn ninjas into fierce and unstoppable winged death beasts, it's up to Batman to rescue Thalia and the professor, stop Deathstroke, and find a way to teach Damian to control the warlike tendencies that have been inside him since birth.
Is It Any Good?
This is an engaging story in which Batman learns he has a son -- and a hot-tempered but brilliant son at that. The dialogue is dark, cynical, and firmly rooted in noir, and the animation is as strong as the best work in the comic books. This movie takes what could have been a cheap gimmick (Batman having a son) and further heightens the flaws and mystery of what has become in recent decades one of the most intriguing superheroes out there. Although the violence at times feels a bit much and perhaps unnecessary to the overall story, the propulsive action and conflicts raging inside and outside the characters are enough to keep audiences interested.
The overall cynical tone, as well as the violence and occasional sexual suggestion, makes DCU: Son of Batman best for older kids and teens, especially for fans of Batman and comic books in general.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the evolution of Batman. How has the character of Batman -- as well as Robin and the other characters -- changed over the decades?
Did the violence in DCU: Son of Batman seem necessary to tell the story, or did it feel gratuitous?
Batman has been represented in TV, movies, and comic books. How has Batman been conveyed in these mediums? Which version of Batman do you like best?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 6, 2014
- Cast : Jason O'Mara , Stuart Allan , Thomas Gibson
- Director : Ethan Spaulding
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Superheroes
- Run time : 74 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Stylized violence including bloody images, and some suggestive material.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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