When Batman Begins rebooted the Batman film franchise in 2005, it put forward a much darker, more realistic ambiance than the previous trilogy which was more faithful to its comic origins. Todd Philips’ Joker takes an even more haunting tone by telling the origin story of Batman’s most vaunted adversary. The film features Joaquin Phoenix as the eponymous main character along with a star-studded cast including Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy.
The psychological thriller chronicles the life of Arthur Flek, whose failed venture into stand up comedy drives him mad, spurning him to choose a life of crime. The final trailer for Joker shows the chaotic streets of 1980’s Gotham City, which acts as the crucible which forges this iconic villain as he ascends its hierarchy of corruption. De Niro returns to the silver screen as Murray Franklin, the catalyst of the downward spiral that culminates in the birth of the Joker. The film also casts Brett Cullen as Thomas Wayne, Bruce’s father, as his mayoral campaign to clean up the streets of Gotham emerges.
The film will premiere on August 31st at the 76th Venice International Film Festival before its October 4th theatrical release in the United States. Until then, DC fans will be eagerly anticipating the latest incarnation of one of the greatest villains in the history of comic books.