Gothams psychotic prince of crime is deranged at the best of times but it is Heath Ledgers superb performance as The Joker which will go down as being the most depraved. It is one of the great tragedies of recent cinematic history that Heaths sudden death would prevent him from receiving the Oscar at the 81st Academy Awards which his turn would merit. However, the Australian actors last major role would at least go down as one of the most memorably depraved characters in the history of cinema. Much like in the aforementioned entry about The Shining, The Jokers unpredictability is what makes him a psychopath. Unlike other comic book super-villains who are motivated by monetary riches, power or world domination, The Joker is seemingly a motiveless malignity just wanting to revel in the chaos which his crimes create. He is rightfully feared by the criminal populace of Gotham, many of whom are psychopathic in their own right. However, their depraved natures pale in comparison to the remorseless clown. Ledgers performance creates a worrying sense of dread every time the villain is in the frame whether he is blowing up a hospital, killing a thug with a pencil or just cackling uncontrollably, The Joker proves himself to be one of the most intimidating movie psychos ever.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
