7 Heath Ledger movies that totally negate his Joker aura

Heath Ledger was one of those Hollywood actors who, with their talent for blending into roles, made those performances extraordinary. Take, for example, his performance as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. The role is regarded as one of the best live-action portrayals of the Joker across films made about the character.

The reason behind it is not just Nolan’s direction but also Ledger taking it to a whole different level. If you have watched 10 Things I Hate About You or Brokeback Mountain, you’ll not be able to tell if it is the same actor who played the role of the Joker. It's because of the exceptional ability of Ledger to morph into the roles he plays that we couldn’t recognise the actor from his character, making it one of his greatest roles.

However, this is not the only role where Ledger stood out. Here’s a list of 7 Heath Ledger movies that will make you realise how the late actor shone in other roles as well.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

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7 Heath Ledger movies that totally negate his Joker aura

7) Ned Kelly

The Joker might be one of Ledger’s best antagonist roles. However, it wasn’t the first time that he played a popular character who had become a nuisance for law enforcement. In Ned Kelly, Heath Ledger portrayed the titular character and depicted the life and death of the outlaw.

In the film, he depicted the struggling circumstances that led to his becoming an outlaw. The misunderstandings and blackmailing, in turn, resulted in Kelly avenging the unjust situations he and his family had suffered from.

While this was a role about an outlaw, it was still different from his role as the Joker, as Kelly had the support of the public and was a victim of injustice, unlike the Joker, who was infamous for his unlawful deeds.

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6) I’m Not There

In I’m Not There, Heath Ledger played one of the six personas of Bob Dylan, depicted in the film as Robbie Clark. After his role in a biographical film, Clark became a popular star, and his notorious activities, such as affairs with other actresses, began straining his relationship with his wife, Claire.

The Joker is a psychopathic villain in The Dark Knight. While Ledger's portrayal of Robbie is complicated, he is still a complex human being with a plethora of emotions that the Joker cannot fathom.

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5) Candy

Based on Luke Davies's novel, Candy is one of the most underrated films starring Heath Ledger. He plays a heroin addict named Dan, a poet, who falls in love with Abbie Cornish’s Candy.

Through their journey of love, addiction, destruction, and revival, it shows how drug addiction impacts the lives of people. Ledger’s Dan is the highlight of the film as he portrays the character’s emotions, from being in a daze while high to realising how much he lost due to his addiction to drugs, and later becoming clean.

He is the heart and soul of the film, and the role shows that Ledger had a knack for playing roles that might appear troubled but also mirror reality in one way or the other. This character is completely different from his Joker, who was emotionally distant and psychopathic.

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4) Monster’s Ball

While Monster’s Ball’s main highlights were Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton’s performances, Ledger appeared as Sonny, the son of Thornton’s Hank, and gave a scene-stealing performance. Ledger as Sonny gave a convincing portrayal of a young boy who wanted to be loved by his father.

He was compassionate and couldn’t satisfy his father or become the man he wanted him to be, and hence had a troubled relationship with him. Unlike the Joker, Ledger's Sonny was kind and sympathetic, which made his character memorable.

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3) A Knight's Tale

This 2001 medieval action comedy became one of Ledger's standout performances, garnering him more work in Hollywood. He played the character William Thatcher, a peasant with a dream of becoming a knight. In the film, he pretends to be a knight and later learns he must face none other than the Prince of Wales in combat.

However, he doesn't back down from the jousting competition. His unique, raw, and humorous portrayal in the film contrasts with the darker aura of his later role as the Joker and stands as one of the best in his filmography.

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2) Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain is one of the best films of not just Heath Ledger’s career, but also Jake Gyllenhaal’s. It follows the tumultuous relationship between the two characters played by the actors.

Ledger’s Ennis is more reserved than Jake’s Jack Twist, which often leads him to hide their relationship. Unlike the Joker, Ledger’s Ennis displays a range of emotions that will break your heart through his portrayal of a man who cannot fully give in to his relationship with Jack, yet also cannot let him go.

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1) 10 Things I Hate About You

Many might remember Heath Ledger for his role as the Joker. However, his role as Patrick in this 1999 rom-com is also among his most admired. Playing a stoic bad boy who is hired to date Julia Stiles's Kat but ends up genuinely falling for her remains one of his most popular roles, and one that clearly contrasts with his Joker persona.

Ledger, as Patrick, is everything the Joker isn’t. His portrayal of an initially unapproachable character who gradually becomes caring, kindhearted, and often satirical is a fan-favorite.

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What other Heath Ledger films negate his Joker aura, in your opinion? Do let us know in the comments below!

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