Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight is one of the best iterations of Batman since the concept of Batman was first created in 1939; the film offers easy to digest bites of philosophy and a deeper look into human nature. At the same time, The Dark Knight provides insight into society's views on mental illness, what society believes mental illness looks like, and society's views toward the justice system. The Dark Knight is the highest grossing Batman film since the first Batman movie (ironically named Batman: The Movie) in 1966, and was even awarded "Movie of the Year" by AFI Awards. Despite the film's success and acclaim, what does The Dark Knight say about society's views on mental illness and our justice system? The Dark Knight as a movie
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Unfortunately, in our society, stereotypes in relation to mental illness abound. People fear coming out about mental illness because of the stigma attached to psychiatric disorders, and Hollywood has a tendency to propagate society's negative beliefs about mental illness. The Dark Knight has been "criticized for pandering to a false stereotype of schizophrenics that they have split personalities" (Devlin). According to Dr. Peter Byrne, a film expert and consultant psychiatrist at Newham University Hospital in London, said that "the humor and violence of the film was based almost entirely on this common misunderstanding" (Devlin). Society has an obsession with mental illness. Mental disorders have a tendency to be misrepresented in television and movies, as well as society. This can be witnessed by the frequency people claim to have OCD or ADD. If a person has an excessive amount of energy, they are labelled as ADD; if someone is particular about the way they arrange the pens in their pocket, they are labelled as OCD, either by themselves or by peers. Self-diagnosing is dangerous, but people still proudly tell friends and family that they aren't capable of leaving the house without making their bed because they are OCD. This has a damaging effect on our society, as it prevents people with mental illness from being taken seriously, getting the help they need, or even being seen as …show more content…
Even though it can be easy to wish for a vigilante to save society from itself, even Batman in The Dark Knight, realizes his own darkness, and ability to be corrupted. Harvey Dent said, "“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” At the end of the previous movie Batman Begins Batman says, "As a man, I'm flesh and blood, I can be ignored, I can be destroyed; but as a symbol... as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting." Batman, at the end of The Dark Knight, sacrifices his own image, so that Harvey Dent can continue to be the cities "white knight." People can come together on their own, and combat things like stereotypes and injustices, without guns and bat suits. Everyone has the power to stand up for what they believe and to make their voice
Unfortunately, in our society, stereotypes in relation to mental illness abound. People fear coming out about mental illness because of the stigma attached to psychiatric disorders, and Hollywood has a tendency to propagate society's negative beliefs about mental illness. The Dark Knight has been "criticized for pandering to a false stereotype of schizophrenics that they have split personalities" (Devlin). According to Dr. Peter Byrne, a film expert and consultant psychiatrist at Newham University Hospital in London, said that "the humor and violence of the film was based almost entirely on this common misunderstanding" (Devlin). Society has an obsession with mental illness. Mental disorders have a tendency to be misrepresented in television and movies, as well as society. This can be witnessed by the frequency people claim to have OCD or ADD. If a person has an excessive amount of energy, they are labelled as ADD; if someone is particular about the way they arrange the pens in their pocket, they are labelled as OCD, either by themselves or by peers. Self-diagnosing is dangerous, but people still proudly tell friends and family that they aren't capable of leaving the house without making their bed because they are OCD. This has a damaging effect on our society, as it prevents people with mental illness from being taken seriously, getting the help they need, or even being seen as …show more content…
Even though it can be easy to wish for a vigilante to save society from itself, even Batman in The Dark Knight, realizes his own darkness, and ability to be corrupted. Harvey Dent said, "“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” At the end of the previous movie Batman Begins Batman says, "As a man, I'm flesh and blood, I can be ignored, I can be destroyed; but as a symbol... as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting." Batman, at the end of The Dark Knight, sacrifices his own image, so that Harvey Dent can continue to be the cities "white knight." People can come together on their own, and combat things like stereotypes and injustices, without guns and bat suits. Everyone has the power to stand up for what they believe and to make their voice