As someone obsessed with symmetry and balance, I always include Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight in my list of favorite films. The reason is that Nolan meticulously crafts the script (though a director, he also co-wrote the screenplay with his brother). Nolan's Batman has two major strengths: one is his overwhelming power, and the second is his very heroic principle: "Never. Ever. Kill." Therefore, just like in all other superhero movies, Batman needs a villain who matches his strength.
But Nolan didn’t stop at just a "worthy" opponent. He created the Joker.
The Joker opposes everything Batman excels at. First, we clearly see that he's not afraid of death. So no matter how strong Batman is, what good would that do? What's more, the Joker wants to die, and importantly, he wants to die at Batman's hands.
This means he wants Batman to break the very moral code that defines his strength and identity. Because only by killing the Joker can Batman prevent the collapse of Gotham City. So, what will Batman choose? Will he stick to his philosophy and watch Gotham fall, or will he change who he is and give the Joker what he desires most—the true face of the Dark Knight? These two choices are nothing but pure symmetry.
By exploiting this weakness, the Joker continually forces Batman into decisions that reveal his true nature. Through Batman's perspective, viewers are also led to question their own notions of Right and Wrong. They keep asking themselves, "What is truly Evil, and what is Good?" And once again, it's a symmetry and balance that is nothing short of perfection.
The film is filled with countless images and plot points that Christopher Nolan weaves into the movie and script with perfect symmetry and balance: the two sides of a coin, the two ferries at the end of the film, the split face of the District Attorney, or the contrast between law-abiding citizens and death row inmates.
OCD is a disorder that makes people obsessed with perfection. And after watching the film, more than once, I’ve thought that Christopher Nolan might have this condition. As for myself, is there a bit of OCD in me too? Because I felt an immense sense of satisfaction when The Dark Knight ended, and I stepped out of its dark yet mesmerizing world.
Read more: Joker: Folie à Deux Short Review