Original artwork, not a still
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
— The Dark Knight · 2008
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Alfred hands Bruce, and the audience, the key to the Joker: a man with no price, no demand and no plan beyond ruin. The line is the film's quietest warning, delivered over tea rather than gunfire, and it became the shorthand fans reach for whenever someone causes harm for the fun of it. It was also used as one of the film's taglines.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Dark KnightShow the scene
In The Dark Knight (2008), the mob has hired the Joker and Bruce Wayne, investigating him, cannot fathom what he wants. Alfred tells him a story from his own past: years ago in Burma, he and his friends were hunting a bandit who raided caravans carrying gems meant to buy tribal leaders' loyalty. They never found a buyer for the stones, then saw a child playing with a ruby the bandit had thrown away. Alfred's verdict on the man is this line, a warning that the Joker cannot be bought or bargained with.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: The Dark Knight (film)Quotes, Alfred and Bruce Wayne sceneReference checked
- Wikipedia: The Dark KnightPlotReference checked
Context reviewed
