10 Amazing 21st-Century Movie Villains Who Aren’t Spoken About Enough

2. Harvey Dent - The Dark Knight

Nocturnal Animals
Warner Bros.

Many can be forgiven for overlooking Aaron Eckhart’s performance due to the cinematic infamy Heath Ledger achieved from his Joker iteration, but it was some shift Eckhart put in. There is a general and ever-growing consensus amongst DC fans and acting admirers alike that the Californian all but delivered the goods in a portrayal of the character Tommy Lee Jones would be envious of.

The prominent mayor-turned-monster has endured a turbulent existence on the silver screen, with the formerly mentioned Jones choosing to make his iteration of Dent uncharacteristically camp, goofy and just rather ridiculous if we’re being frank. However, the same can’t be said regarding his successor. It's a faultless performance as Aaron stamped his authority on the role by implementing the idyllic balance of charm and chaos needed for Detective Comics’ very own Jekyll and Hyde.

One of The Dark Knight’s many strengths is its successful juggling of multiple juggernaut villains within one film and Harvey Dent/Two-Face is an integral component in that coalition. In what Dent offers in terms of natural charisma, Two-Face brings double the value of in sheer chills. Harvey is no saint by any means, but his descent into psychopathy is the direct result of the love of his life being taken from him, leaving behind a man with nothing else left to lose.

 
First Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Avid Chelsea, England cricket and Scotland rugby supporter and sufferer. Proud northerner who for some reason sounds southern. Enjoy matching a face to a name, and will watch absolutely anything Joaquin Phoenix is in. Greatest achievement? Getting winked at by James McAvoy.