Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight

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The Joker, The Dark Knight
The Joker—especially Heath Ledger's portrayal—first seems like your crazy Uncle Dan (bad suit, greasy hair and all). But it doesn't take much screen time to realize he's a force nearly no one can contain. Though a monster, he understands humanity too well and manipulates it to bring out the worst in people for no other reason than his own enjoyment. After you take in Heath's wonderfully cringe-inducing performance, you'll never look at No. 2 pencils the same again.