Top 28 Best ‘The Dark Knight Trilogy’ Characters

 

Only a genius or a misanthrope can come to terms with the fact that there is a price to pay for being able to see beyond the world that they inhabit. Surely, fervent admirers of Christopher Nolan’s brand of cinema stress that he belongs to the former class. Needless to say, his reputation precedes him, and The Dark Knight trilogy pretty much is the reason why!

 

Nolan’s awe-inspiring ability to provide memorable cinematic experiences, aided by his desire to entertain, is on full display in the globally popular The Dark Knight series of full-length features. Known today for putting his trust in science to make a giant splash on the big screen, the filmmaker became a name to vouch for and look forward to following the release of his Batman trilogy.

 

His complex and debate-worthy hits are full of characters who are good, bad and in the middle, and The Dark Knight franchise is no different; for it helped reshape what audiences thought a superhero movie could be like. Not only did the series add to the legacy of Batman and the Joker but it also introduced us to a few more figures who were a fascinating range of good and evil.

 

Today, the award-winning set of films is considered to be a modern-day classic and a lot of it has to do with the characters they comprise. We are going to be discussing some today that are needed and, therefore, add to the story or plot in one way or another.

 

These figures have come together in a big way to ensure that Nolan’s Batman is arguably the most revered version of the popular character. So, if the world-building in the trilogy portrays a Gotham drowning in crime with a bunch of antagonists wanting to loot or destroy it, we have Christian Bale as the unforgettable Batman/Bruce Wayne being assisted by many to defend it.

 

Now, without any further ado, let’s scroll through our piece on the finest The Dark Knight trilogy characters, ranked by their ability to surprise and awesomeness.

 

 

 

1. Joker

 

 

A relentless force of nature, Joker is arguably the most popular antagonist in contemporary cinema history. Brought to life by the amazing Heath Ledger, he is a physically intimidating villain who brings Gotham to its knees with a few cans of gasoline and some sticks of dynamite.

 

In no time, the man establishes himself as arguably the most prolific on-screen criminal of all time. Ledger ensures that this chaotic villain comes across as believable and destructive at the same time.

 

Indeed, he knows how to cripple his enemies better than most people in the world. The actor’s versatility and knack for performing were on full display as Joker, and his interpretation of the character was so good that he ended up earning a posthumous Academy Award for his outstanding portrayal.

 

 

 

2. Bruce Wayne/Batman

 

 

Those who have seen Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy share the opinion that it is far more grounded and realistic than most comic adaptations. In this dark take on Batman’s world, we catch the leading character doing his best to come to the aid of Gotham City by figuring out ways to defeat his biggest adversary, yet.

 

Interestingly, Christian Bale’s beloved Batman is one of the few superheroes who hasn’t really been granted any extraordinary superpower. However, his presence of mind and sharp combat skills fetch him the power to get the better of his foes in any situation.

 

Needless to say, he is an expert fighter who is more than willing to take on nincompoops who wish to wreak havoc in his city.

 

 

 

3. Alfred Pennyworth

 

 

Played by the incredible Michael Caine, Alfred Pennyworth is a man of his word. He is loyal to Bruce Wayne and can often be seen spitting wisdom, most of which makes absolute sense.

 

Therefore, Wayne considers him a father figure for the man is always supportive of him and can easily put things into perspective. Needless to say, he goes on to become the voice of reason that Bruce/Batman often needs.

 

Indeed, his suggestions have helped the superhero not head in the wrong direction, even if he fails to realize it right away. Definitely a top character!

 

 

 

4. James Gordon

 

 

First introduced as a young cop, Jim Gordon is as incorruptible as they come. The man can be seen being kind to Bruce following the death of his parents. Even though Gotham is turned upside down by several adversaries in the future, the man never lets his unwavering resolve to protect the city and good nature go.

 

Indeed, it is his dedication to his morals that makes him stand out. It is not surprising then that he is one of the very few people who is willing to put his life on the line to save the people of Gotham.

 

That is one reason why he and Batman get along well. His bravery and heroism make us believe that not all superheroes need to wear a mask.

 

 

5. Bane

 

 

Bane makes his sturdy presence felt with his eyes, physicality, and, most importantly, his devilish voice. The man and his army of villains are able to take the entire city hostage to trap the entire police force.

 

He also aims to free countless prisoners and break the Caped Crusader’s back. Not only does he wish to torture Batman but he also wants to destroy the city with a devastatingly dangerous nuclear weapon.

 

Tom Hardy’s Bane is given a backstory and humanity in The Dark Knight Rises, which makes the viewers relate to him to an extent. Also, while his voice is intimidating enough, the villain comes across as someone who is surprisingly calm and, therefore, in control of whatever transpires in the city following his ultimate takeover.

 

 

6. Harvey Dent

 

 

One of the most fascinating characters of the franchise, Harvey Dent is known for his tragic descent to villainy, courtesy of Joker who transforms him into Two-Face. His character arc is arguably one of the better ones in Nolan’s trilogy.

 

As Gotham’s previous district attorney before, he tried his best to expunge Gotham’s criminal elements and clean it as much and soon as possible with the help of Batman and Gordon.

 

However, we soon catch him losing everything and everyone that matters to him; therefore, turning him into a bonafide antagonist who is as vulnerable as he is frightening. Indeed, it is saddening to see his fall from being the city’s “White Knight” to a villain seeking destruction.

 

Full marks to Aaron Eckhart for making the character shine.

 

 

7. John Blake

 

 

John Blake is a young and fearless Gotham officer who seeks to help those in need. He is introduced in The Dark Knight Rises and can be seen assisting the young orphans of the town in whatever way he can.

 

His bravery comes to the fore when he turns out to be one of the few cops who are still around to fight Bane when the city is under his control.

 

Bruce is visibly impressed by the man’s will and strength; so much so that he selects him as the next Batman when he retires. A solid combination of writing and acting ensures that Robin John Blake manages to make his presence felt amid a plethora of remarkable characters in the trilogy.

 

 

8. Rachel Dawes

 

 

Rachel Dawes is portrayed as an able and inquisitive lawyer-in-the-making in Batman Begins, but she pretty much turns into your clichéd damsel in distress in the second instalment of the series.

 

Be that as it may, she is credited with helping Bruce Wayne become the hero he goes on to become later. Matter of fact, her importance in his life can be gauged from the fact that she doesn’t let him tread a dark path in pursuit of revenge following the death of his parents.

 

That being said, she also manages to make an impression as an assistant district attorney who is willing to go all the way to free the system from deep-rooted corruption.

 

Oh, and how can we forget to mention that the lady is engaged to Harvey Dent?!

 

 

9. Selina Kyle/Catwoman

 

 

Fans of The Dark Knight trilogy will agree that Anne Hathaway’s take on Catwoman made an interesting addition to the series and undoubtedly upped its glamour quotient. When she first appears in the story, we see her being a master thief who has no qualms about breaking the law.

 

Not only that but she also seems to be okay betraying the Caped Crusader and giving him up to Bane to serve her own interests. However, her conscience catches up with her and pushes her to join forces with Batman to deter Bane and defend Gotham.

 

A world-class burglar who blurs the line between good and evil, Selina Kyle serves as the femme fatale cliché in the series who has her own motivations and desires. Needless to say, her morally grey character and the fact that she’s been played by an amazing and popular actress make her stand out.

 

 

10. Lucius Fox

 

 

Lucius Fox happened to be a close friend of Bruce’s father, Thomas Wayne. Later, he goes on to become one of the closest and most valued allies of the former.

 

He sees Batman as a force of good and, therefore, is more than happy to help him with all his gadgets and gear used for combatting crime in the city.

 

Even though the reliable man is almost always available to support Batman, he can be seen disagreeing with Bruce when he doesn’t agree with some of his plans. Indeed, he does all he can to help the hero from the background.

 

That being said, Morgan Freeman’s Fox is a rather clichéd character who doesn’t do much else in the series.

 

 

11. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow

 

 

When Jonathan Crane steps into Nolan’s The Dark Knight universe, he comes across as an unassuming psychiatrist. However, it is later revealed that he wants nothing more than to experiment on his patients using his fear toxin.

 

Portrayed with utmost sincerity by Cillian Murphy, he is someone who enjoys being a criminal as is clear with his attempts to stay a part of the criminal underworld by hook or by crook.

 

Sure, he never is counted among the main antagonists in any of the movies, but he does try his best to cunningly come close to killing Batman. That said, it is imperative to mention that he is the first villain in Nolan’s Batman trilogy and also the only one to feature in all three motion pictures.

 

 

12. Ra’s Al Ghul

 

 

The League of Shadows is an ancient organization that seeks to bring justice to the world without fail, and Ra’s Al Ghul happens to be the leader of the same.

 

While he does his best to help train Bruce Wayne to become an indestructible warrior, he later learns that his way of seeking justice involves hardcore violence and destruction. Since Ra’s Al Ghul believes that Gotham City is one of the most corrupt places on the planet, he intends to wipe it off the face of the earth.

 

Sooner than later, we catch Ra’s holding his own in a fierce battle against Batman.

 

 

13. Talia Al Ghul

 

 

Talia Al Ghul may not have got a lot of screen time in The Dark Knight Rises but she manages to make her presence felt. As the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul, she took up his mantle as his heir and joined forces with Bane to destroy Gotham City.

 

The lady is also a master manipulator, for we catch her fooling Bruce Wayne and his allies as wealthy businesswoman and philanthropist Miranda Tate. The magnificent Marion Cotillard gets to show the potential of the character only for a few minutes but she looks positively devious playing the part.

 

That is perhaps why her eventual death comes across as a tad lame and convenient, given that she is shown to be super strong and self-reliant ever since she was very young.

 

 

14. Joe Chill

 

 

Joe Chill is one of those rare individuals who manages to make a solid impact despite little to no character development. In The Dark Knight series, his impact on the story of Bruce Wayne is incredible since he happens to be the killer of his beloved parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne.

 

The man first makes an appearance in Batman Begins and is one of the sole reasons Bruce decides to fight crime in the city. Over time, we witness him being murdered by an assassin working for Carmine Falcone; therefore, depriving Bruce of his chance to avenge the death of his folks.

 

There is no denying that Chill is Batman’s most personal foe.

 

 

15. Sal Maroni

 

 

Sal Maroni becomes the obvious choice to replace Carmine Falcone as the head of the crime family in The Dark Knight. He may not be as powerful as his predecessor, but he is a slimy man who firmly believes that he is above the law.

 

While he doesn’t fall from grace, he does literally fall when Batman drops him off the top of a building while attempting to gain vital information. Also, we must stress that he is as responsible for Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face as the Joker as it was his men who abducted him in the first place.

 

 

16. Carmine Falcone

 

 

Carmine Falcone may have solely appeared in Batman Begins, but he makes it pretty clear that he’s in charge of Gotham’s criminal underworld. The mob lord has several cops and officials working under him and, therefore, has turned the city into a cesspit of drugs and criminal activity.

 

English actor Tom Wilkinson gives the character his all and makes us believe that he is well and truly above the law. Needless to say, Batman is pushed to take matters into his own hands.

 

Towards the end of the movie, we catch the man being incarcerated in Arkham Asylum and driven mad by Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow.

 

 

17. Ginty

 

 

The tall, intimidating, tattooed Ginty, an inmate of Blackgate Prison, makes a brief appearance in two of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films. His actions during the Ferry Ordeal help him make an impression that lasts.

 

During the evacuation of prisoners and Gotham citizens by water, he takes control of the situation when it is discovered that the Joker has planted a bomb on both boats.

 

However, Ginty rises to the occasion and calmly takes the detonator from one of the ferry’s guards. He soon tosses it out of the window to ensure that the civilian’s boat is not blown up.

 

Needless to say, his quick thinking and action prevent hundreds of lives from being lost; therefore, helping him have his heroic moment.

 

 

18. Thomas Wayne

 

 

Thomas Wayne may not have been a “living” character in the franchise as his most significant role was to die. His death not only left Bruce Wayne an orphan but also played the biggest role in turning him into Batman.

 

Wayne Sr. served as a surgeon at Gotham General Hospital as well as founded Wayne Enterprises alongside Lucius Fox. The man had a clean heart and wanted nothing but the best for Gotham.

 

Indeed, he was a martyr, philanthropist, healer, and, most importantly, a loving father and husband. He certainly had been a hero in his own right for his actions and death led to the inception of the Caped Crusader.

 

 

19. Gillian B. Loeb

 

 

Colin McFarlane’s Gillian B. Loeb is a side character who appears for a short time in The Dark Knight. He is a straight-laced, no-nonsense cop whose only aim seems to be to end crime in the city, come what may.

 

That is precisely why he ends up becoming a target of Joker and is poisoned by him. Overall, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to stress that Loeb is a clichéd character who meets his demise in a rather clichéd manner.

 

However, his lack of flexibility and unwillingness to listen to Gordon and his warnings eventually end up harming him.

 

 

20. Arnold Flass

 

 

The slovenly and crass Arnold Flass redefines the term ‘crooked’ in his own way. Even though he is Jim Gordon’s partner in the GCPD, most people cease to trust him.

 

One reason for the same is that they believe that he’s a snitch. It is later revealed that the man works for Falcone in the film and is, therefore, coerced to be interrogated by the Caped Crusader for his involvement with the mob.

 

Flass looks as uninterested in working in the police force as he looks interested in earning some bucks by getting involved with the mob. Money’s the boss to him, it seems!

 

 

21. Prisoner #1

 

 

The Dark Knight Rises also introduces us to Prisoner #1; the man who helps Bruce Wayne recover from his devastating injuries after Bane breaks his back. The character remains nameless throughout the hit motion picture but, had it not been for him, our beloved Batman would still be stuck in The Pit.

 

Indeed, Prisoner #1 plays the small but crucial role of a helpful healer who helps the main protagonist get back on his feet.

 

 

22. Carl Finch

 

 

Carl Finch, the original district attorney of Gotham, was one of those people who wanted to both clean and make a difference in the city’s judicial system with his work.

 

However, like most people in the real world, he grows apathetic about the corruption in the system and is eventually worn down by his job. The fact that he represented Joe Chill, the murderer of Thomas and Martha Wayne, made Bruce Wayne see him in an entirely different light.

 

That being said, it is imperative to mention that the man decided to represent Chill because he was willing to cooperate in testifying against mob boss Carmine Falcone. He and Batman may not agree on most things, but Finch, like the latter, also wanted Gotham to be crime-free.

 

 

23. Dr. Leonid Pavel

 

 

Fans of superhero movies concur that most of them are packed with at least one scientist with a bizarre theory. Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises is no different. Here we have Dr. Leonid Pavel, who is best known for his invention of a fully primed neutron bomb, with a blast radius of six miles.

 

Bane attempts to use his invention to destroy Gotham. Needless to say, the Russian nuclear physicist serves simply as a plot device character.

 

 

24. Anthony Garcia

 

 

After Mayor Manning’s assassination at the hands of the hitman Deadshot, Anthony Garcia takes charge as the Mayor of Gotham City and is, therefore, seen serving in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.

 

The character, portrayed by Nestor Carbonell, was chosen to be assassinated by the Joker during Commissioner Loeb’s memorial service. Lucky for him, Lt. James Gordon pushed him out of the way and was struck in the back.

 

 

25. Gambol

 

 

Gotham City’s African-American mob boss is your trademark mobster. Tough, arrogant, impatient, and confrontational, he comes across as a businessman at face value. That is one reason why the wealthy man with fancy suits believes that he can beat Joker to a pulp.

 

Be that as it may, it is his arrogance that leads to his downfall.

 

 

26. The Chechen

 

 

A supporting antagonist in the film The Dark Knight, the highly-rated second instalment of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy, The Chechen is a Russian mob boss and drug lord whose rule in Gotham City meets its end after he and his associates decide that it’d be better to side with the dreadful Joker, rather than be a rival to him.

 

 

27. Mr. Lau

 

 

Gotham City truly seemed like a haven for criminals and gangsters of different origins. Another such man who was able to make a name for himself was the Chinese mob boss and CEO of Lau Security Investments Holdings, Mr. Lau.

 

Sooner than later, the success of his business draws the attention of Wayne Enterprises.

 

 

28. Coleman Reese

 

 

The seemingly talented Coleman Reese was recruited from the graduating class of Gotham University’s law school on the pretext that he’d soon be promoted with additional financial aid. Instead, we witness him being placed in a Wayne Enterprises law library to organize due diligence for five years.