It had been six months since the night the Joker tore the city’s soul apart. Six months since Harvey Dent fell. The public knew the narrative: Harvey Dent, the White Knight, died a hero, tragically scarred by the mob. Batman was the villain, the outlaw who took the fall for Dent’s crimes to preserve the District Attorney’s legacy.
The Joker crashes the party. He threatens to kill civilians unless Batman reveals his identity. When the mob hires him to kill Batman, the Joker instead double-crosses them, burning their money and seizing control of Gotham’s underworld. He murders the police commissioner and the judge. The film’s centerpiece—the interrogation room scene—sees Batman savagely beating the Joker, only to learn that Harvey and Rachel have been kidnapped. batman dark knight full