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

Slow Horses Season 5 Pays Tribute to Heath Ledger's Joker

In "Slow Horses" season 5, Gary Oldman's character Jackson Lamb delivers a line that strongly echoes a scene from "The Dark Knight" featuring his late co-star Heath Ledger. The phrase, "How about a magic trick?", is one of the many iconic quotes from Ledger's Joker in Christopher Nolan's 2008 film.

This particular line stands out as the Joker cruelly forces a man's head into a pencil, making it "disappear." The sharpness of this moment remains unforgettable and has deeply influenced popular culture since the movie's debut.

Gary Oldman's Homage to Heath Ledger

More than 15 years after "The Dark Knight" released, Gary Oldman gives a subtle nod to Ledger's role through his character in the Apple TV series "Slow Horses."

"How about a magic trick?"

Enduring Legacy of The Dark Knight

"The Dark Knight" continues to grow in stature and is regarded as a defining superhero film. Christopher Nolan's take on the genre, often compared to the classic crime film "Heat," premiered 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, many consider Nolan's film to remain unmatched in impact and quality, which might explain some ongoing MCU challenges.

"Slow Horses" Season 5 and Nolan's Influence

The writers of "Slow Horses" appear to still be inspired by "The Dark Knight," as suggested by the episode titled "Incommunicado." This homage highlights the film's persistent cultural relevance.

Summary

Gary Oldman's character in "Slow Horses" season 5 cleverly references Heath Ledger's Joker, underscoring the lasting cultural imprint of Nolan's "The Dark Knight" and its influence on modern storytelling.

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SlashFilm SlashFilm — 2025-11-04

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