The film industry is at a point where sequels reign supreme. Primarily – courtesy of Disney and Marvel Studios – the industry is dominated by a barrage of superhero movies, with one being released every two months. The frequency only looks to be increasing, with the likes of Warner Bros., Sony, and 20th Century Fox jumping in line with their own movies based on the mythology of DC and Marvel. Truly, we are living in the golden age of the genre, with movies treading new ground every year. Despite that, The Dark Knight stands out as a beacon; something that no other superhero movie – yes, including Avengers Infinity War – holds a candle to. What exactly makes The Dark Knight so great?

In typical Nolan fashion, the movie strung together elaborate narratives to weave together an intricate plot full of suspense, drama, and action. There wasn't a moment that didn't leave the audience glued to their seats. The movie begins with a gripping heist scene, that sets a thrilling tone for the next two and a half hours. I still remember as I sat in front of my television screen, mesmerized. A boy mere nine years of age, watching the Joker wreak havoc across Gotham City.

I watched as he manipulated the Caped Crusader at will, like a puppet. He was elusive, always ahead of the curve. I watched as he thwarted Gotham Police at every turn. Laughing, as he "[watched] the world burn". I watched as he pushed the heroes to the brink of their morality, and in some cases, even break them. But I also saw something else hidden in the movie. A tale of determination and perseverance, as Batman kept returning, stronger and wiser.

Beyond its exquisitely deep characterization, The Dark Knight consists some of the most profound dialogue ever put to film, adding an unprecedented level of reality to otherwise fictional characters. Whether it be Harvey Dent's speech on heroism where he claims "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain" – providing extreme foreshadowing towards his future descent into madness and subsequent transformation into Two-Face – or the Joker's life motto, "Why so serious?" – which he uses to ironic means, to generate fear and give the scene a serious tone – the movie is full of quotable lines that really compel the audience to ponder over the deeper meaning behind the story and the characters. These dialogues not only serve to make the movie memorable for ages to come but also adroitly serve to build character depth and provides insight into the psyche of the characters.

The film incorporates various philosophical and psychological theories (the Joker, in particular, took cues from Nietzschean and Jungian philosophy) into its characterization, which makes it stand out from other superhero movies. The character motivations are firm, as each main character stands for a specific belief, and justifies their perspective. Their differences are further exemplified through a masterful score by Hans Zimmer, who gives each character their own distinct theme – a bone-chilling screeching sound for the Joker, and a heroic orchestra for Batman – as they go head to head in an epic battle between arch nemeses.

Nolan created something exquisite with The Dark Knight, and it is no wonder that it remains as an ideal all superhero movies strive to match. Yet, a decade and countless movies later, none came close. The Dark Knight has a special place in my heart. It's the movie that we didn't know we needed, but one we sorely deserved, as it does justice to the deep mythology of the characters that were created over 70 years ago. Furthermore, it modernizes them for adults and develops them into iconic symbols, solidifying their place in history, and giving them the ability to stand the test of time. While the Joker may not have looked like "a guy with a plan," Christopher Nolan certainly did, as he created something much more than a movie. He created two symbols, two icons, and embedded them into the history of pop culture forever, as he redefined the characters entirely into something completely new and unprecedented.