In The Dark Knight, the Joker says he is an agent of chaos.
The line occurs during a conversation with Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth, who explains that some criminals want money or status while the Joker wants to disrupt the established order. The Joker later describes himself in similar terms while speaking to Harvey Dent, presenting his violence as an attempt to reveal how fragile social rules can be.
“Agent of chaos” is distinct from “agent of anarchy,” a frequent mix-up because the Joker is also associated with anarchy and disorder. In the film, chaos is his preferred description of the destructive force he claims to represent.
Released in 2008, Christopher Nolan’s film stars Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker. Ledger’s performance earned the posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the quotation remains central to interpretations of the character’s motives.