Slow Horses Season 5 Homages Gary Oldman's Dark Knight Co-Star Heath Ledger

In Slow Horses season 5, Gary Oldman's character Jackson Lamb delivers a joke reminiscent of a famous moment from The Dark Knight involving his former co-star Heath Ledger. The line "How about a magic trick?" echoes Ledger's Joker, who used it when violently slamming a victim’s head into a pencil to make it "disappear."

Heath Ledger's Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight delivered numerous memorable lines that shaped the cultural landscape after Christopher Nolan's film redefined the comic book genre. More than 15 years later, the film remains critically acclaimed, still arguably surpassing many modern superhero movies.

The Dark Knight debuted the same year as the first Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, Iron Man, which transformed Hollywood. Despite the MCU releasing 37 films over nearly two decades, none have captured the same lasting impact as Nolan's work, highlighting The Dark Knight’s unique place in film history and possibly explaining the MCU's recent challenges.

The writers of Slow Horses appear to be paying tribute to The Dark Knight in the season 5 episode titled "Incommunicado," suggesting the film's influence extends to modern TV thrillers as well.

"How about a magic trick?"

The Joker slams some poor goon's head into a pencil and makes it "disappear."

Slow Horses nods to one of the most iconic performances and moments in superhero cinema, honoring the late Heath Ledger’s enduring legacy.

Author’s summary: Slow Horses season 5 cleverly references Heath Ledger’s Joker from The Dark Knight, underscoring the film’s lasting cultural impact more than 15 years after its release.

SlashFilm — 2025-11-05

Slow Horses Season 5 Homages Gary Oldman's Dark Knight Co-Star Heath Ledger

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