History NightmareFuel / BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice

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[[caption-width-right:350:''"But a bell cannot be unrung! He's hungry! He's found us! And HE'S COMING!"'']]

[[caption-width-right:350:''"He's hungry! He's found us! And HE'S COMING!"'']]

** A major one: You can SEE the building slashed in half via heat vision in ''Film/ManOfSteel''. From the inside. Holy crap.

** Consider the fact that the ''[[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse DCEU]]'' is part of the larger DC multiverse. Now consider the possibility (however unlikely) that the ''Franchise/{{Injustice}}'' games are also part of this multiverse. You'll quickly realize that Batman's fears are very well founded. Granted, that universe's Superman is very much ALigtherShadeOfBlack compared to [=DCEU=] Batman's perception of him, as he merely enslaves humanity in his iron grip rather than obliterating it outright. Still, it serves as a reminder that one should always BewareTheSuperman.

* How far Lex is willing to go for his plans is horrifying, from using Keefe as an UnwittingPawn to bomb Congress (killing his loyal henchwoman, Mercy, in the process[[note]][[HesJustHiding Or so we think]].[[/note]] to threatening to have Martha Kent ''burnt alive''. He goes the extra mile of etching "witch" onto Martha's forehead in photos shown to Superman on account of [[WitchHunt mothering the Devil]].

* ''Empire'''s cover photo of [[http://i0.wp.com/batman-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Empire-Superman-cover.jpeg?fit=2593%2C3366&quality=86&strip=info Superman]] looks downright intimidating, with his [[EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette chalk-white skin]], [[SlouchofVillainy hunched posture]] and KubrickStare while standing in a ruined city. It's as if they're trying to validate all those negative opinions of ''Man of Steel''.

* Batman himself is pretty scary in this film. His brutality towards criminals and downright ''irrational'' way of thinking make him practically villainous. Now, to be fair, what he's been through is enough to make ''anyone'' jaded. But still: Batman is ''not'' someone you'd want to be jaded.

** This whole scene serves as a perspective from ''a regular citizen'' in Metropolis. Most people are not even aware of what's happening. One moment, a huge ship appears... [[WaveMotionGun and it starts flattening the entire city]]. Bystanders can only run in abject terror. [[HellIsThatNoise And the pulsating sound of the terraforming is ever present.]][[note]]In fact, Bruce suffers from PTSD and hears it many times afterwards.[[/note]]

** In the Ultimate Edition, the US drone officers had just given up on rescuing anyone and decided to nuke the village. The ground operatives frantically tried to warn them that they had the situation under control, but the strike happened anyway. If Superman didn't come in at the last moment and destroy the drone, Lois would be cinders.

[[caption-width-right:350: He's hungry! He's found us! And HE'S COMING!]]
->''That son of a bitch brought the war to us, two years ago. Jesus, Alfred. Count the dead. Thousands of people. What's next? Millions? He has the power to wipe out the entire human race. And if we believe there is even a one-percent chance that he is our enemy, we have to take it as an absolute certainty!''

[[caption-width-right:350:[[[[ComicBook/Darkseid He's hungry!]] He's found us! And HE'S COMING!]]

[[caption-width-right:350:[[ComicBook/Darkseid He's hungry!]] He's found us! And '''HE'S COMING!''']]

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[[[[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} He]]'s hungry! He's found us! And HE'S COMING!''
]]

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[[caption-width-right:350:''"[[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} He]]'s hungry! He's found us! And HE'S COMING!"'']]

->''"That son of a bitch brought the war to us, 2 years ago. Jesus, Alfred. Count the dead. Thousands of people. What's next? Millions? He has the power to wipe out the entire human race and if we believe there is even a 1% chance that he is our enemy, we have to take it as an absolute certainty!"''

''Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'' not only shows the downsides of humanity, but also goes deeper into alien terrors like it's predecessor. All of this add up to a cocktail of nightmares that will haunt you in your sleep.

** This whole scene serves as a perspective from ''a regular citizen'' in Metropolis. Most people are not even aware of what's happening. One moment a huge ship appears... [[WaveMotionGun and it starts flattening the entire city]]. Bystanders can only run in abject terror. [[HellIsThatNoise And the pulsating sound of the terraforming is ever-present.]][[note]]In fact, Bruce suffers from PTSD and hears it many times afterwards.[[/note]]
** Even after the World Engine is destroyed, the chaos does not end. The clash between Superman and Zod destroys several more skyscrapers. The most terrifying shot for anyone would be their re-entry. Not only do the FlyingBrick Kryptonians return to Earth, but they bring a ''[[DeathFromAbove meteor shower]]'' with them. It's no wonder that so many people are afraid of Superman.

* The scene where some police officers investigate a kidnapping, only to find Batman has beaten the guy up and branded him. This is then followed by one of the cops spotting Batman as he does a CeilingCling. The cop tries to shoot him, but finds that Batman is just too fast, as he seems to scurry across the ceiling ahead of the fire and then scrambles up into the roof beyond. He even moves unnaturally, like a ghost; it actually looks a lot like the iconic segment from ''Film/PoltergeistIII''.
** When the cops first arrive at the scene, they find the terrified victims locked in a cage and referring to Batman as a devil that saved them. When one cop opens the cage door to let the victims out, the nearest victim slams the door back closed and screams that "it" is still here. These victims are so completely freaked out by what they've witnessed Batman doing to the kidnappers that they believe him to be some sort of demonic savior and feel safer staying inside the cage as long as he's still in the vicinity.
* Batman himself is pretty scary in this film. His brutality towards criminals and downright ''irrational'' way of thinking make him practically sound and look villainous. Now, to be fair, what he's been through is enough to make ''anyone'' jaded. But still: Batman is ''not'' a person you'd want to be jaded.

** The fact that most traits Batman has in this movie seem far more similar to the villain/anti-hero Red Hood. That's right, Batman is closer to one of his ''villains''. Superman has pissed him off royally.

* In one of his nightmares, Bruce visits his parents' graves and notices a strange black ooze bleeding out of Martha's headstone. Suddenly, [[JumpScare a giant, terrifying bat monster bursts out of the stone and attacks him]]. Try falling asleep after having a nightmare about being attacked by a vampire that was once your mother.

** This is immediately followed by Batman being attacked by an army of Parademons. What's more is that they're not portrayed as an outside villain that's preying on friend and foe alike, but as ''allies'' of Superman's army.
** And in a subtler bit of FridgeHorror, the Knightmare has Batman [[BatmanGrabsAGun wielding guns]] against his opponents. Wields them ''casually'', and as a first option rather than a last resort. Not only has this post-apocalyptic hell-scape utterly put an end to his one rule, but he ''doesn't even hesitate'' anymore. Just how horrific has his world become that it pushed the man who routinely spared ''the Joker'' '''that''' far?

** One aspect makes it even worse: Someone, perhaps ComicBook/TheFlash, shows up to warn Bruce that Lois is "the key," implying that the Knightmare was not just a dream, but likely a vision of a BadFuture.
* Superman's tolerance for non-powered jerks plummets after Batman's rather-destructive attempt to steal the Kryptonite from Lex:
-->'''Superman''': ''[to Batman]'' The next time they shine your light in the sky, don't go to it. The Bat is dead. '''Bury it'''. Consider this mercy.
* How far Lex is willing to go for his plans is horrifying, from using Keefe as an UnwittingPawn to bomb Congress (killing his loyal henchwoman, Mercy, in the process[[note]][[HesJustHiding Or so we think]].[[/note]] to threatening to have Martha Kent ''burnt alive''. He goes the extra mile of etching "witch" onto her forehead in photos shown to Superman on account of [[WitchHunt mothering the Devil]].
** After Senator Finch is told that Lex framed Superman, she openly talks about it with her aide. Then Lex shows up out of the blue, [[FauxAffablyEvil acting as chummy as he always does]]. The fact that someone who plans out terrorist acts can act so cheerful is serious ParanoiaFuel.
* If you watch the Senate scene the second time around knowing Lex's speech about how {{God}} is tribal, then seeing a building full of Superman detractors get blasted while Superman is in the room with them makes his argument sound horrifyingly convincing. If Superman is so powerful, why couldn't he stop the bomb? If Superman is so good, why doesn't he save those who disagree with him?

** Lex even gives Superman some Polaroids of his mother bound, gagged and crying. They're very distressing to look at, even after all the violence we've seen so far.
** Superman screaming at Lex while [[GlowingEyesOfDoom his eyes burn brighter]] than we've ever seen them. Since Lex had just tried to kill Lois, you couldn't blame Superman for wanting to fry him then and there.

* Victor Stone's cameo, given that his short appearance is before he is officially turned into a [[ComicBook/{{Cyborg}} cyborg]]. No, not while he is his regular human self, but his ''[[BodyHorror torn upper torso and head]]'' strung up on a board with coils attached to him, being experimented on by his father who desperately tries to save his son. When he is saved by unnatural means, the pained scream he releases is horrifying.
* [[MookHorrorShow The warehouse fight scene.]] Batman takes out all the criminals holding Martha hostage either with attacks that leave his opponent crippled or dead. The entire scene is NightmareFuel for the thugs, from the minute he bursts through the floor, disarming nearly all their firearms in a matter of seconds, to [[SickeningCrunch snapping their limbs like twigs]] and even ''stabbing a henchman with his own knife''. And what he does to him next... [[FridgeHorror you're better off not knowing]].

* Doomsday is a horrifying sight to behold. He regularly bursts with energy and rips his skin off when it takes too much damage, and after getting his hand chopped off, it grows back as a bony dagger. Not to mention that he ''kills Superman''.
** The [[PsychoticSmirk smirking sneer]] Doomsday gives Superman as he impales him. Remember, Doomsday is a mutation of Zod, so in a bit of FridgeHorror, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he may still have Zod's mind and memories.

* When the nuke has detonated, there is a massive explosion seen by everyone in Metropolis and Gotham, and probably everyone within a hundred miles. Batman sees it and can only mutter: "Oh, God."

* While Superman regenerates in space, Doomsday is now loose on Earth. As Batman approaches in his Batwing and tries to dodge Doomsday's EyeBeams, a chilling horror film-like music is playing. Nothing can stop Doomsday by this point and humanity is seemingly doomed...until [[EurekaMoment Batman figures out the Kryptonite spear is his only chance]].
* When Lex is sent to prison, Batman comes out of nowhere and threatens him. Despite being traumatized by the incident, Lex starts screaming about how the worst is yet to come, going "ding-ding-ding-ding-ding" over and over. He's either cracked, or he's figured out that [[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} Darkseid]] is coming.

*** And remember what Lex said? That it should be upside down "because devils don't come from {{Hell}} beneath us. No. '''[[{{Foreshadowing}} They come from the sky.]]'''" And when we see that painting again, it's been turned upside down.
** Just the way that Lex describes Darkseid is full CosmicHorrorStory.

* There's the DeletedScene known as "[[https://youtu.be/s-MUzvASr8s Communion]]," which features Lex standing knee-deep in the Kryptonian ship's fluid which, for a lovely effect, [[SymbolicBlood resembles blood]], obviously in communication with [[ComicBook/NewGods Steppenwolf]], who looks far more menacing than what comic fans are used to.
* The R-rating for the Ultimate Edition is no joke, as the associated scenes can be nightmare-inducing. Probably the most jarring example is how the Nairomi witness dies: Anatoli pushes her in front of an oncoming train. We all see it coming, but the moment still makes one jump. Her scream doesn't help.

[[folder:Meta]]

* The track "Must There Be a Superman" is a surreal, harrowing composition that reflects the inner fears that the world has about Superman. It sounds like something written for a ''Franchise/SilentHill'' game.

* The scene where some police officers investigate a kidnapping, only to find Batman has beaten the guy up and branded him. This is then followed by one of the cops spotting Batman as he does a CeilingCling. The cop tries to shoot him, but finds that Batman is just too fast, as he seems to scurry across the ceiling ahead of the fire and then scrambles up into the roof beyond. He even moves unnaturally, like a ghost; it actually looks a lot like the iconic segment from ''Film/{{Poltergeist}} III''.

[[caption-width-right:350:''"[[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} He]]'s hungry! He's found us! And HE'S COMING!]]"'']]

[[caption-width-right:350:''"[[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} He]]'s hungry! He's found us! And HE'S COMING!]]"''

[[caption-width-right:350:''[[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} He]]'s hungry! He's found us! And HE'S COMING!]]''

''Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'' not only shows the downsides of humanity, but also goes deeper into alien terrors like it's predecessor. All of this add up to a cocktail of

-->-- '''Bruce Wayne''', still reeling from Metropolis' near-decimation.

'''WARNING:''' Spoilers are unmarked.

* The warehouse fight scene. '''[[MookHorrorShow Jesus Christ... THE WAREHOUSE FIGHT SCENE.]]''' Batman takes out all the criminals holding Martha hostage either with attacks that leave his opponent crippled or dead. The entire scene is NightmareFuel for the thugs, from the minute he bursts through the floor, disarming nearly all their firearms in a matter of seconds, to [[SickeningCrunch snapping their limbs like twigs]] and even ''stabbing a henchman with his own knife''. And what he does to him next... [[FridgeHorror you're better off not knowing]].