The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Jonathan. It is the sequel to Batman Begins (2005) and the second installment in The Dark Knight Trilogy. The film features an ensemble cast including Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman. The plot follows Batman, police lieutenant James Gordon, and district attorney Harvey Dent as they form an alliance to dismantle organized crime in Gotham City. Their efforts are thwarted by the Joker, an anarchistic mastermind who aims to push Batman to his limits. The Dark Knight was one of the first major motion pictures to be filmed with high-resolution IMAX cameras and was lauded for its mature tone, visual style, and performances, particularly that of Heath Ledger, who received numerous posthumous awards for his role as the Joker. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest superhero films ever made.