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Action adventure film

Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021) movie poster

Batman: Soul of the Dragon is a 2021 action adventure film directed by Sam Liu, starring David Giuntoli as Bruce Wayne / Batman (voice), Mark Dacascos and Michael Jai White. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. Its Echo Score is 64/100.

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Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Director
Sam Liu
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Batman: Soul of the Dragon About?

The premise of Batman: Soul of the Dragon without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Bruce Wayne confronts a formidable adversary linked to his past, seeking assistance from three former classmates who have become exceptional martial artists. He joins forces with Richard Dragon, Ben Turner, and Lady Shiva, each a master of their respective disciplines, to overcome the looming threat and protect Gotham.

Batman: Soul of the Dragon Themes & Keywords

· 26 tags
  • martial arts
  • kung fu
  • based on comic
  • based on comic book
  • 1970s
  • period piece
  • period film
  • funky
  • snake monster
  • another dimension
  • cliffhanger ending
  • deity
+14 more
  • katana
  • ninja
  • clan
  • superhero
  • mature animation
  • for grown ups animation
  • superhero action
  • batman character
  • bruce wayne character
  • lady shiva character
  • teacher
  • dc shared universe
  • shared universe
  • hand drawn animation
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Cast & crew

Batman: Soul of the Dragon Cast & Characters

David Giuntoli leads the cast as Bruce Wayne / Batman (voice), with Mark Dacascos as Richard Dragon (voice) and Michael Jai White as Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger (voice). Directed by Sam Liu; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Batman: Soul of the Dragon

· 9 more
From the director

More from Sam Liu

More films directed by Sam Liu, best-rated first: Reign of the Supermen, Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, Superman: Red Son and DC Showcase: Death.

Full filmography
Ratings

Batman: Soul of the Dragon Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in sensory experience (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

64 /100

Batman: Soul of the Dragon Echo Score Breakdown

Batman: Soul of the Dragon delivers a nostalgic 1970s‑style adventure that entertains fans of retro martial‑arts cinema but falls short of narrative depth. Critics highlight the film's effective direction, vivid aesthetic, and strong voice performances, while noting uneven pacing and a plot that leans heavily on action set‑pieces. Audience reactions echo this split, praising the style and fun moments but criticizing the thin story and limited focus on Batman. Overall, the movie offers a competent, if not essential, entry in the DC animated catalog.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels at recreating a 1970s aesthetic with funk‑laden color palettes and fluid animation. Critics commend the direction and production design, though some point out a decline in visual quality after the opening act. Viewers note a strong first‑half visual style that weakens later, resulting in a solid but uneven artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When evaluating character and emotion, the voice cast receives consistent praise for nuanced performances and distinct personalities. The supporting cast shines, while Batman himself is often relegated to a peripheral role, reducing the central emotional anchor. Both critics and users appreciate the chemistry among the ensemble, though the limited focus on Batman diminishes overall character impact.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is widely seen as lightweight and occasionally disjointed. Critics describe the plot as forgettable, losing momentum in the second half, and relying heavily on genre tropes. User feedback mirrors this, labeling the storyline predictable and underdeveloped. The film’s measured pacing fails to fully sustain engagement, leading to a mixed assessment of its narrative strength.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    The sensory experience stands out as a primary strength, with a groovy 70s soundtrack and dynamic sound design that reinforce the film’s retro vibe. Reviewers highlight the immersive audio‑visual blend, noting the energetic martial‑arts sequences and nostalgic musical cues. Both critics and audiences agree that the film’s sensory elements heighten its entertainment value despite other shortcomings.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch factor is tempered by the film’s novelty and stylistic flair, offering occasional fun moments that invite a second viewing. However, many critics and users express limited desire to revisit, citing a thin plot and lack of lasting narrative depth. While the movie provides enjoyable nostalgia, its replay appeal remains moderate at best.

Plot

Batman: Soul of the Dragon Plot Summary

What happens in Batman: Soul of the Dragon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Bruce Wayne’s younger years, while training himself to become a vigilante crime-fighter, he travels to Nanda Parbat, a secret monastery in the Hindu Kush region, where he meets its caretaker, O-Sensei, and five other students training in the martial arts; Richard Dragon, Shiva, Jade, Ben Turner and Rip Jagger. O-Sensei eventually entrusts [Shiva] with Soul Breaker, a Muramasa sword in his possession, but otherwise remains secretive about a certain door at the monastery’s outer perimeter. One night, [Rip Jagger] penetrates the forbidden door and kills [Jade] with Soul Breaker, which is the key to a mystical gate O-Sensei was guarding. This gate opens to the home dimension of the serpent god Nāga; four of his servants emerge and devour [Rip Jagger] before turning on O-Sensei and his students.

Full summary

The whole story of Batman: Soul of the Dragon, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Batman: Soul of the Dragon Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Batman: Soul of the Dragon.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Batman: Soul of the Dragon?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main vigilante hero in the film?

Details

Batman: Soul of the Dragon Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Batman: Alma de Dragón” and “蝙蝠侠:龙之魂”.

Also known as
  • Batman: Alma de Dragón
  • 蝙蝠侠:龙之魂
  • Batman: Alma do Dragão
  • באטמן: נשמת הדרקון
  • Бэтмен: Душа дракона
  • 배트맨: 드래곤의 영혼
  • Batman: Alma del Dragón
  • Batman : L'Âme du Dragon
  • Бетмен: Душа дракона
  • Batman: A sárkány lelke
  • Người Dơi: Linh Hồn Của Rồng
  • แบทแมน วิญญาณแห่งมังกร
+8 more
  • Batman: Dragens sjæl
  • Batman: Ejderha'nın Ruhu
  • Betmenas: Drakono siela
  • Batman: Duše draka
  • 蝙蝠俠:龍之魂
  • Батман: Душата на дракона
  • Batman: Dusza Smoka
  • 蝙蝠俠:龍魂

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FAQ

Batman: Soul of the Dragon FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Batman: Soul of the Dragon, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Batman: Soul of the Dragon?

Batman: Soul of the Dragon runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).

When was Batman: Soul of the Dragon released?

Batman: Soul of the Dragon was released on January 12, 2021.

Who directed Batman: Soul of the Dragon?

Batman: Soul of the Dragon was directed by Sam Liu.

More films by Sam Liu

Who is in the cast of Batman: Soul of the Dragon?

Batman: Soul of the Dragon stars David Giuntoli as Bruce Wayne / Batman (voice), Mark Dacascos as Richard Dragon (voice) and Michael Jai White as Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger (voice), among 13 credited actors.

Does Batman: Soul of the Dragon have a post-credit scene?

No. Batman: Soul of the Dragon has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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