Christian Bale is an outstanding actor, but an early role showcased why exactly he would make a great Batman. Christian Bale had his big Hollywood break when he starred as Patrick Bateman in the 2000s American Psycho. This film proved he was capable of creating a character that was straight from the novel it was based on in a way that was not only convincing, but engaging, despite being a complete and utter monster.

Bale's talents have since been tested in various films, where the actor has drastically altered his body and personality in order to fit the brief. And for one incredible stint, Bale stood tall as Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy. But the distance between Bateman and Batman was much more significant than their similar names would lead audiences to think. However, one role that came in between the two offered a glimpse at what Bale's Dark Avenger could look like before he was cast as the Gotham Guardian.

Equilibrium Is A Hidden Sci-Fi Gem Starring Christian Bale

Equilibrium Is A Tense Dystopian Sci-Fi With A Compelling Story

Equilibrium came out in 2002, and Bale stars alongside Taye Diggs as Clerics in a terrifying dystopian future where all human emotion is suppressed, and the Clerics operate as brutal and strict enforcers of maintaining that order. And while this sci-fi gem went under the radar, it is one of the most stunning and intense depictions of a dystopian story ever made. However, the movie failed to get the reception it deserved.

Still, in spite of this, the actual performances of Bale and his fellow cast made this project something that explores tense topics with a clever and refined approach. The movie is certainly worth watching for anyone who is a fan of sci-fi, dystopian stories, or the cast themselves. However, due to a lot of negative press, the movie failed to capture the audience it deserved when it first came out.

What Critics Thought Of Equilibrium When It Came Out & Was It Successful?

The Reviews For Equilibrium Were Lukewarm Across The Board

In general, the movie got mixed reviews. Many critics took issue with how much the film overlapped with ideas from other dystopian stories like Fahrenheit 451, 1984. This prompted the director, Kurt Wimmer, to respond with an iconic quote about critics that has since grown to receive more attention and airtime than the movie it was discussing in the first place (via SciFiDimensions). Evidently, Wimmer was displeased with the response from critics, but as far as audiences were concerned, the movie was something that resonated and entertained the majority of moviegoers.

"Why would I make a movie for someone I wouldn't want to hang out with? Have you ever met a critic who you wanted to party with? I haven't."

However, Roger Ebert offered a much more positive review with 3 out of 4 stars, which included quotes such as "Equilibrium would be a mindless action picture, except that it has a mind. It doesn't do a lot of deep thinking, but unlike many futuristic combos of sf and f/x, it does make a statement." (via Roger Ebert). Unfortunately, the movie didn't spread far and wide enough to make it profitable, with the film only earning about $5 million at the box office after a $20 million production budget (via The Numbers).

Christian Bale's Performance In Equilibrium Proved He'd Be A Great Batman

There Is A Lot Of Overlap Between Bruce Wayne & John Preston

The thing is, when Bale starred in American Psycho, he proved he had a dark side that he could bring to the screen, and an intensity that would strike fear into the hearts of the worst of the worst in Gotham. However, he also needs to be a conflicted hero, who harbors deep sadness, and suppresses his sadness about losing his parents, transferring that energy into his anger and rage. He also needs to be incredibly intelligent and human, with a clear stream of logic that makes sense to the majority of the audience, even if Batman pushes himself beyond reasonable range.

And when seeing Bale play Cleric John Preston in Equilibrium, so much of that character comes through. Preston is a mindless drone, until he begins to see the light and value that his emotions bring to the table. However, to succeed in his heroic mission of taking down the corrupt city, he must suppress his emotions, and adopt a persona to push himself beyond ordinary limits. The two characters have striking similarities, and it's easy to see how Christian Bale was able to transition from a role like John Preston to Bruce Wayne.