Batman fans convinced Dark Knight's Joker origin was 'right in front of us' for years

Some fans think they’ve worked out the true origins of The Joker in The Dark Knight, adding yet another theory to the pile.

The Dark Knight is one of my favourite films of all time, and definitely my favourite film in the superhero genre, and I think many would agree that Heath Ledger carried that film the whole way through.

If you fancy a trip down memory lane take a look at the teaser trailer below

The Joker in The Dark Knight is a complete enigma to Bruce Wayne, his motives are unclear, his behaviour erratic, and his mental state spells nothing but trouble for Bruce’s city.

He’s a great character, and one of his most powerful traits is the fact we know nothing about him apart from the small details he shares, though it’s left to the audience to decide if he’s telling the truth or making things up for dramatic effect.

That being said, fans have tried to pinpoint his origin story for years, and a new theory suggests that both of the stories Joker tells are true and connected.

This comes from a Reddit thread by KingWraithX, and suggests Joker came from an abusive household before eventually finding his way into the army.

When he came back he got a wife who fell into financial trouble with a mob boss, the mob boss Gamble whom Joker meets towards the beginning of the film.

The theory suggests that Gamble had a hand in his wife’s facial scars and presumed death, so part of Joker’s motivation is getting revenge whilst also being deranged from the trauma.

As far as theories go it’s not too far-fetched, though surely it defeats the purpose of his mystery to know his origins and motivations.

Either way if this is the story you want to believe, it souunds like the right one, and it explains why he wants to give Gotham a “better class of criminal.”