4. Maggie Gyllenhaal (Rachel Dawes)
Maggie Gyllenhaal delivered a different take on the Rachel Dawes character in The Dark Knight that was first portrayed by Katie Holmes in Batman Begins. While Gyllenhaal remained faithful to the character's roots that were established by Katie Holmes in Batman Begins, Gyllenhaal manages to allow the audience to invest in a character who is emotionally torn between Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent. While she has moved on from her feelings for Bruce by being in a relationship with Harvey, there are moments in the film that restore the close relationship that Bruce and Rachel have with one another. Gyllenhaal, like Holmes, depicts a strong heroine in her portrayal and shows how determined the Rachel Dawes character is in her performance. The Dark Knight is filled with many memorable performances such as Heath Ledger's Joker and Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent in addition to the cast members who return to their respective roles from Batman Begins. Gyllenhaal's performance as Rachel Dawes is a significant contribution to what makes The Dark Knight a successful film.