Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 2016

In the aftermath of the cataclysmic battle in Metropolis, an eighteen-month period of turmoil and mistrust has taken hold. Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck), a man consumed by his own demons, views Superman as a reckless force to be reckoned with. The devastation caused by their confrontation, including the collapse of Wayne Enterprises’ headquarters, has left deep scars on the people of Gotham City. As Clark Kent (Henry Cavill), Superman’s secret identity as a journalist at the Daily Planet, sees Batman as an existential threat and sets out to expose him.

Meanwhile, LexCorp’s enigmatic CEO, Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), is manipulating events from behind the scenes. He has convinced Senator June Finch (Holly Hunter) to aid in his quest to recover kryptonite from General Zod’s failed terraforming attempt in the Indian Ocean. However, Finch ultimately thwarts Luthor’s plans to use Zod’s DNA and the Kryptonian scout ship to create a biological weapon.

As tensions escalate, Bruce Wayne successfully infiltrates a high-stakes fundraiser hosted by LexCorp, aiming to retrieve crucial data from their mainframe. However, his flash drive is pilfered by the enigmatic Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), an antique dealer with secrets of her own. Unbeknownst to Wayne, she has accessed files on several “metahumans,” individuals possessing extraordinary abilities, including herself, as well as a man with superhuman velocity (Flash), a cyborg (Cyborg), and someone capable of surviving underwater (Aquaman).

As Wayne deciphers the stolen drive, he is haunted by a prophetic vision of a dystopian future where an enormous omega symbol looms large over a desolate landscape. Armed with determination and a pistol, he leads a rebellion against Superman, only to be betrayed by his own followers and captured by Superman’s forces. Superman then confronts him, ripping off Batman’s cowl and delivering a scathing rebuke, claiming that he has taken everything from him. In a moment of brutal intensity, Superman rips out Batman’s heart, leaving the Dark Knight on the brink of extinction.

As Wayne emerges from a surreal vision, a cryptic figure appears, alerting him to the precarious situation unfolding around Lois Lane (Amy Adams). The messenger’s urgent warning is met with a hasty retreat, as they shout “too soon” in parting. As the truth begins to unravel, Wayne discovers that Lex Luthor has been secretly probing Superman’s vulnerabilities, including his connection to kryptonite and an investigation into metahumans, which surprisingly includes Diana Prince (Wonder Woman), an immortal warrior with a storied past.

Meanwhile, Batman attempts to infiltrate Luthor’s operations, commandeering the Batmobile in pursuit of kryptonite. However, he is intercepted by Superman, who demands that he cease his activities, citing concerns over the safety of civilians. This tense standoff sets the stage for a Congressional hearing at the U.S. Capitol, where Finch summons Superman to defend his actions. Tragically, Luthor exploits this opportunity by orchestrating a devastating bombing at the hearing, using a wheelchair-bound man (Wallace Keefe, played by Scoot McNairy) as a human shield. The blast zone claims countless lives, including Finch’s, and the public blame is swiftly pinned on Superman, who retreats to self-imposed exile.

In the aftermath of this catastrophe, Batman seizes the initiative, building an exoskeleton and arming himself with kryptonite-powered weapons in preparation for a showdown with his former ally. Simultaneously, Luthor activates the Genesis Chamber aboard his scout ship, merging his DNA with Zod’s to create an unprecedented threat. As a result, he uses Lois as bait to lure Superman to LexCorp Tower, where he reveals that he has been privy to Superman’s secrets for some time.

In a calculated move, Luthor blackmails Superman into confronting Batman by taking his adoptive mother, Martha Kent (Diane Lane), hostage at an unknown location. With this leverage, Luthor anticipates that Batman will kill Superman with kryptonite, thereby securing the upper hand in their ongoing battle of wits and strength.

As the tension between them reaches a boiling point, Superman attempts to reason with Batman, revealing that he is privy to the Dark Knight’s deepest secrets. However, this attempt at diplomacy only serves as a catalyst for a brutal altercation in which Batman comes perilously close to dispatching Superman with a deadly kryptonite-tipped spear fashioned by the Caped Crusader himself. As Superman desperately implores his rival to “save Martha,” a poignant reminder of the late Mrs. Wayne, Batman’s gaze falters, and he is suddenly struck by the realization that Superman poses no threat whatsoever. This epiphany prompts Batman to leave in haste to rescue the woman who shares her name with his beloved mother, while Superman confronts the machinations of their arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor.

Meanwhile, Luthor unleashes a monstrous creation born from Kryptonian technology and infused with the power of kryptonite on the wreckage of the fallen spaceship. The Man of Steel and the Dark Knight must put aside their differences to combat this formidable foe, which is aided by an unexpected ally in the form of the Amazonian warrior, Princess. Despite their valiant efforts, they soon discover that the creature’s ability to absorb and redirect energy has rendered it virtually indestructible.

As Superman struggles to find a weakness in their monstrous opponent, he draws upon his shared Kryptonian heritage with Batman, exploiting a previously unknown vulnerability that allows him to impale the beast with the kryptonite-tipped spear. However, this heroic act comes at a terrible cost, as the creature retaliates by driving its bony spike deep into Superman’s chest, leaving him seemingly lifeless.

In the aftermath of these events, Lex Luthor is apprehended and exposed for his multitude of crimes by Lois Lane. During a visit from Batman in his prison cell, Luthor revels in the knowledge that Superman’s demise has left the world vulnerable to powerful threats, which he had been learning about while manipulating the technology on the Kryptonian ship. The Dark Knight, however, is unfazed, threatening Luthor and vowing to remain vigilant.

As Metropolis mourns the loss of its legendary hero, a memorial service is held in Superman’s honor. Meanwhile, in Smallville, Clark Kent’s private funeral procession is attended by Wayne, Lane, Martha, and Princess, who receive an envelope from Martha containing a poignant engagement ring left behind by the late Clark.

In the aftermath of this somber occasion, Bruce Wayne reveals his plans to assemble a team (the Justice League) comprising Luthor’s file subjects to protect the world in Superman’s absence. As the mourners depart, a faint heartbeat begins to emanate from Clark’s grave, accompanied by a subtle levitation of the dirt surrounding it, hinting at a possible resurrection or rebirth for the fallen hero.