The Dark Knight Rises (2012), directed by Christopher Nolan, is the final installment in The Dark Knight Trilogy. Set eight years after The Dark Knight (2008), Gotham City is at peace, but Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has become a recluse, haunted by past events. However, a new threat emerges in the form of Bane (Tom Hardy), a merciless terrorist with immense strength and intelligence.

Bane orchestrates an elaborate plan to cripple Gotham, exposing the truth about Harvey Dent and using Wayne Enterprises’ fusion reactor as a nuclear bomb. Batman, weakened from years of inactivity, confronts Bane but is brutally defeated and imprisoned in a remote underground prison. Meanwhile, Gotham falls into chaos under Bane’s rule.

Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), a skilled thief with her own agenda, initially betrays Bruce but later allies with him. With the help of police officer John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), Bruce escapes the prison, returns to Gotham, and reclaims his mantle as Batman.

In an intense final battle, Batman leads the city’s police force against Bane’s army. With Catwoman’s help, he defeats Bane, but the true mastermind, Talia al Ghul (Marion Cotillard), is revealed. She attempts to detonate the bomb, but Batman and his allies stop her. In a heroic act, Batman seemingly sacrifices himself by flying the bomb out to sea, saving Gotham.

In the aftermath, Bruce Wayne is presumed ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, but Alfred (Michael Caine) later spots him alive in Europe with Selina. Blake, inspired by Batman’s legacy, discovers the Batcave, hinting at a new protector for Gotham.

With its gripping action, emotional depth, and a satisfying conclusion to Nolan’s trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises remains a defining superhero film.