When State Farm dropped its viral Batman vs. Bateman ad campaign, viewers immediately fixated on the unexpected casting choices. While Jason Bateman sharing screen space with a roster of Gotham City villains stole the spotlight, comic book fans wanted to know the identity of the actress portraying the iconic eco-terrorist.
The actress who played Poison Ivy in the State Farm commercial is Abby May.
Her appearance in the spot generated plenty of chatter online, especially given the high-production design of the villains and the humorous premise of the insurance ad.
Inside the Batman vs. Bateman Campaign
State Farm has a history of leaning into high-concept pop culture mashups, but the Batman campaign took things up a notch by bringing in a full rogue's gallery to torment Jason Bateman—who insisted on playing "Bateman" instead of Batman. Created by advertising agency DDB, the commercial parodies the gritty aesthetic of modern superhero blockbusters while keeping the brand's core insurance messaging front and center.
Instead of cheap plastic outfits, the production invested in cinematic styling. The commercial featured a full lineup of recognizable Gotham rogues alongside Abby May's Poison Ivy, transforming a standard thirty-second spot into a mini-cinematic universe.
The Full Rogue's Gallery Cast
To understand how Abby May's Poison Ivy fits into the broader commercial, it helps to look at the rest of the ensemble cast who populated Gotham City alongside her:
- Batman: Portrayed by stuntman Nicholas Hayner, wearing a replica suit crafted by Ironhead Studio (the same team behind Ben Affleck's suit in Batman v Superman).
- Jason Bateman: Playing himself, utterly confused by the chaos happening around him.
- The Joker: Brought to life by cosplayer and actor Josh Harp.
- The Riddler: Played by Josh Meyer.
- Two-Face: Portrayed by Andrew Tippie.
- Catwoman: Played by music superstar SZA.
- Commissioner Gordon: Played by viral internet personality Jordan Howlett (known as Jordan the Stallion).
- Jake from State Farm: Played by series regular Kevin Miles.
Who Is Abby May?
Abby May is an actress and performer who earned major attention across social media platforms when behind-the-scenes clips of her green-hued costume and botanical props began circulating. Her portrayal captures the classic femme fatale energy associated with Poison Ivy in comic books and animation, merged with the heightened realism of modern live-action adaptations.
Her casting choice reflects a growing trend in major brand advertising: hiring talented genre actors and specialized performers who can bring instant authenticity to niche pop culture archetypes, even within the span of a brief television spot.
Why the Commercial Struck a Chord
Insurance commercials rarely spark deep dives into comic lore, but this specific campaign succeeded by playing straight man comedy against comic book chaos. When Poison Ivy interacts with the environment—and with Jason Bateman trying to figure out his policy coverage—the juxtaposition creates instant comedic friction.
Fans took to platforms like Reddit and TikTok to dissect the costume details, noting how closely the visual design mirrored classic comic runs while utilizing professional stunt coordination and makeup artistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abby May the first actress to play Poison Ivy?
No. Poison Ivy has been famously portrayed in live-action by Uma Thurman in Batman & Robin (1997) and by Bridget Regan and Peyton List in the television series Gotham. Abby May's version is specific to the State Farm commercial universe.
Who made the costumes for the State Farm Batman commercial?
The production utilized professional Hollywood-grade costume elements, including suits crafted by industry veterans like Ironhead Studio to ensure the characters looked like they walked straight out of a blockbuster movie.
Where can I watch the commercial?
The spot, titled "Batman v. Bateman: Poison Ivy," aired nationally on television and remains available on official advertising archives like iSpot.tv as well as YouTube.
Does SZA play Catwoman in the same commercial?
Yes, Grammy-winning artist SZA makes a surprise appearance as Catwoman in the broader campaign, adding to the viral appeal of the ad.
