George Clooney's turn as Batman in 1997's Batman & Robin is often considered a low point in the superhero's cinematic history. But nothing stings quite like criticism from your own family, right? Prepare yourself, because Clooney's own son delivered a brutally honest, two-word review that perfectly encapsulates how many feel about his portrayal.
Before we dive into this hilarious family moment, let's talk about where this story comes from. The original piece was penned by Jason, an award-winning journalist with a lifelong passion for pop culture, particularly Batman. He honed his skills at CinemaBlend, writing about everything under the sun. Jason's love for cinema began with repeated viewings of The Wizard of Oz, which initially inspired him to pursue filmmaking. He even worked as an extra in Alice Upside Down before realizing his true calling was discussing and celebrating the entertainment he loved.
For years, George Clooney himself has been his own harshest critic when it comes to Batman & Robin. But now, it seems he has some competition – someone whose opinion probably matters a whole lot more: his son, Alexander.
While promoting Noah Baumbach's new dramedy, Jay Kelly (coming to Netflix on December 5, 2025), Clooney was asked about a career moment he'd love to do over. Without missing a beat, he said Batman & Robin. This led to a story about Halloween, when his 8-year-old son, Alexander, dressed up as the Dark Knight. And this is the part most people miss... it wasn't a moment of pride for Clooney. It was a moment of brutal honesty, delivered straight from the mouth of babes.
Clooney recounted the conversation: "My son actually dressed as Batman for Halloween. He hasn't seen the movie. I said, 'You know, I was Batman.' He's like, 'Not really.' I was like, 'You have no idea how right you are.'"
Ouch. Two simple words, "Not really," and the disappointment is palpable. But here's where it gets controversial... is the hate for Batman & Robin truly deserved?
It's no secret that Batman & Robin is considered the worst Batman film ever made. The film, which saw Clooney take over the role of Bruce Wayne from Val Kilmer, also starred Chris O'Donnell as Robin, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy, and Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl. While it grossed $238 million worldwide, its North American earnings of $107.4 million against a $125-160 million budget made it a box office letdown, especially compared to previous Batman films. Critics piled on, slamming its cartoonish tone and its resemblance to a glorified toy commercial.
But hold on! Batman & Robin has experienced a bit of a resurgence in recent years. Clooney continues to publicly apologize for his role in it, but maybe he shouldn't be so hard on himself. The film has almost reached cult status, with fans defending its campy tone as a tribute to the Adam West era. Some even argue that Clooney was a decent fit for Bruce Wayne, if not necessarily Batman himself. Clooney even poked fun at his experience by reprising the role in a cameo in The Flash (2023).
So, what do you think? Is Batman & Robin a cinematic disaster that deserves all the criticism it gets? Or is it an underrated gem that's finally getting its due? Was Clooney miscast, or does he get too much flak? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Is it time for a reevaluation of this much-maligned movie? Perhaps Alexander Clooney will change his mind after a rewatch in a few years!
Batman & Robin is available to stream on HBO Max.
Runtime: 125 minutes
Director: Joel Schumacher
Writers: Peter Tomasi
Franchise(s): Batman
Cast:
* George Clooney
* Chris O'Donnell
