As a child of the ’90s who grew up with a love for superheroes and a slowly awakening understanding of my sexuality, I can’t help but feel a deep affection for the movie that was both a beacon of representation and a source of amusement: Batman & Robin.
In contrast to today’s prevalence of superhero films due to multiple cinematic universes, these movies were once high-risk ventures for studios, given their popularity with the Caped Crusader. For years, fans have watched Batman movies sequentially, including the ’90s series now streaming with a Max subscription. Although often ranked lower among Batman films, Joel Schumacher’s 1997 movie “Batman & Robin” offers campy entertainment that I’ve always enjoyed. However, let’s discuss the queer undertones of this comic book adaptation.
To make things clear, you won’t find any characters or plotlines related to LGBTQ+ communities in this film. However, certain aspects of it resonate strongly with a queer sensibility, and as a ’90s nerd, I’m not alone in feeling that connection to Joel Schumacher’s eccentric masterpiece, “Batman & Robin.” Without beating around the bush, let me share the most memorable scenes that have turned this movie into a beloved queer cult classic.
Chris O’Donnell, especially after kissing Poison Ivy
For numerous LGBTQ+ individuals growing up in the ’90s, Chris O’Donnell was a significant crush, even being referred to as a catalyst for some coming-out experiences. His striking good looks and the allure of his bad-boy persona made him the ideal dreamboat of the series.
In the film “Batman & Robin“, he spent a considerable amount of time in his hero suit, despite having occasional disagreements with George Clooney’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne, especially regarding their mutual interest in Uma Thurman’s character, Poison Ivy. This tension reaches its peak in the movie’s climax, as Robin is drawn to Ivy’s lair due to her powerful pheromones. In a dramatic turn of events, they share a kiss, but since Robin was wearing latex over his lips, he wouldn’t have been affected by it in the usual way.
The lingering impact of that kiss, along with the mental picture of O’Donnell removing his rubbery-looking lips (apparently symbolizing… condoms?), has become etched in the minds of many queer millennials who were fans of the Batman series. This iconic scene was even more impactful when he went on to star as a heartthrob in Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS: Los Angeles.
Uma Thurman is in drag, including a burlesque number.
One intriguing aspect of the film “Batman & Robin” is Uma Thurman’s memorable portrayal of Poison Ivy. To clarify, Thurman, known for roles in films like “Kill Bill,” adopts a drag persona for this role. Her eyebrows are heavily concealed and replaced with new ones, drawn in a style reminiscent of Divine. Throughout the movie, she delivers her lines with dramatic flair, often exaggerated and filled with camp. A notable scene is her fight with Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl, where she famously exclaimed: “How do I make you understand? I am plant life! I am the antithesis of your unnatural world!” This line, among others, has become quite iconic.
As I told Lady Fries when I pulled her plug, this is a one woman show.
Film director Joel Schumacher, who was openly gay, likely intended the character Poison Ivy in “Batman & Robin” to be purposefully flamboyant. Uma Thurman’s extravagant and memorable burlesque scene, where she transforms from a large purple gorilla into being carried by muscular men, is especially reminiscent of a drag queen performance. If you’d like to revisit this iconic sequence, you can watch it below:
I mean, come on. If you weren’t recreating this dance scene and doing all of Ivy’s moves, were you even a closeted kid from the ’90s? This striptease number didn’t bring much to the plot of Batman & Robin, yet it remains one of the most iconic scenes from the 1997 blockbuster. I personally would love to know what kind of direction Uma Thurman was given by Schumacher about her performance the film. Both she and Arnold Schwarzenegger are over the top with their portrayals of Batman villains, although I have to say that Uma steals the movie as a whole thanks to her slinky, drag-infused take on Doctor Pamela Isley.
The infamous Bat-butts and nipples
Through the passage of time, the duo “Batman & Robin” has come to embody certain elements that reflect Joel Schumacher’s unique perspective in filmmaking. For instance, George Clooney’s evident dislike for the production and his portrayal of Bruce Wayne is one such aspect. Another notable feature is the eccentric costume designs for their iconic super suits. Each movie in the franchise showcased a different appearance, but “Batman & Robin” notably opted for a more anatomically accurate design, which included the controversial Bat-nipples and numerous close-ups of the characters’ backsides.
In the film Batman & Robin, instead of focusing on essential elements like their suits, weapons, and armor, there was an unexpected emphasis on the characters’ chest plates that seemed a bit excessive. To make matters more surprising, we get close-up shots of George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell’s chest pieces, which became unforgettable for some ’90s audience members as they navigated their self-discovery journey and growing awareness of sexuality.
In the 1990s, the TV and film industry had significant strides to make in terms of LGBTQ+ representation, but movies like “Batman & Robin” provided some characters that were subtly queer-coded, offering identification points for younger audiences, even if we didn’t initially understand why the 1997 DC flick resonated so deeply with us. Although George Clooney and other cast members might not be fond of the film’s legacy, “Batman & Robin” left a lasting impact on queer youth who saw it in theaters or had their own VHS copies. Given that a gay director was central to the production, I believe it was intentionally designed as a token of appreciation for young LGBTQ+ viewers. I wish I could have thanked Joel Schumacher before his passing.
As a long-time fan of DC comics and superheroes, I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that “Batman & Robin” is currently streaming on Max, the go-to platform for all things DC. It brings back fond memories of my childhood when I used to watch these characters come to life on TV. The Caped Crusader has always been one of my favorites, and I can’t wait to see him return to the big screen in “The Batman Part II” on October 2nd, 2026. In the meantime, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the upcoming movie releases for 2025. If you’re a fellow DC enthusiast, I highly recommend checking out this series and marking your calendars for the next Batman adventure!
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2024-08-09 03:37