Is The Dark Knight the greatest superhero movie of all time — or something more?

In this episode of Reel Meaning, we examine how Christopher Nolan's masterpiece pushes beyond good vs. evil into a deeper meditation on chaos, justice, and identity. From the Joker’s unsettling philosophy to Batman’s moral descent, we look at what makes this film endure and what it says about our world. We also rank all the Batmen, talk Heath Ledger’s chilling legacy, and ask: who really wins in the end?

Hosted by Rory, a filmmaker and storyteller, and Curt, a movie and board game lover. We're both young dads who love movies that say more than they show.

Reel Meaning is a podcast about the symbols, myths, and truths hidden beneath the stories that shape us.

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Disclaimer: All film clips used in this video are the property of their respective copyright holders. We do not claim ownership. These clips are used under Fair Use for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and education. The Dark Knight (2008) is directed by Christopher Nolan and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

In our debut episode, we unpack the deeper meaning behind Jaws — the film that invented the summer blockbuster and still haunts our cultural imagination.

We explore Spielberg’s iconic parallax shot (the dolly zoom on Chief Brody), how the shark functions as a mythic Leviathan, and why Jaws is less about the ocean... and more about fear, masculinity, chaos, and control.

Hosted by Rory, a filmmaker and storyteller, and Curt, a movie and board game lover. We're both young fathers who grew up watching movies. Reel Meaning is a podcast about the symbols, myths, and truths hidden beneath the stories that shape us.

Follow @reelmeaningpodcast and subscribe on YouTube for more.

Disclaimer: All film clips used in this video are the property of their respective copyright holders. We do not claim ownership. These clips are included under Fair Use for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and education. Jaws (1975) is directed by Steven Spielberg and owned by Universal Pictures.