Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The Joker tells different stories about his scars, so the line works as a mask: a taunt, a threat and a joke at once. Heath Ledger's delivery made it the film's signature. Fans use it to mock anyone being too intense, and it captures the Joker's whole philosophy: everything is a joke, so why take any of it seriously?
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Dark KnightShow the scene
In The Dark Knight (2008), the Joker confronts crime boss Gambol and tells him a story about his scars. His father was a drinker and a fiend, he says, and one night his mother picked up a kitchen knife to defend herself. His father cut her anyway, then turned to the boy with this question and the blade in his mouth. The Joker stops mid-story, repeats the line at one of Gambol's men, and kills Gambol. Marketing later built a whole campaign on the phrase, including a Comic-Con stunt with dollar bills bearing the Joker's face.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: The Dark Knight (film)The JokerReference checked
- Wikipedia: The Dark Knight (film)Marketing; CastReference checked
Context reviewed
