The Batman Smiles meme typically captures the rare and often unsettling moment when the stoic Dark Knight breaks his grim exterior. Whether it is Michael Keaton's quirky smirk in the 1989 film or Christian Bale's forced social smile as Bruce Wayne, the meme is used to represent dark irony, hidden agendas, or the feeling of something being 'off.' It gained massive popularity as a reaction image to show approval for chaotic or morally grey situations where a hero's usual serious demeanor would be inappropriate, making it a favorite for edge-lords and comic fans alike.