Joker, a 2018 American film classified as a psychological thriller film, was set and directed by Todd Phillips. The film was co-written by Scott Silver and Todd Phillips. The film is inspired by DC Comics star Joaquin Phoenix aka Joker and offers the character a main alternative story. Produced in 1981, it highlights Arthur Fleck, a stand-up comedian and unsuccessful clown whose involvement in nihilism and insanity encourages violent cultural uprising against the rich in a toxic Gotham City.
The film features Marc Maron, Shea Whigham, Bill Camp, Glenn Fleshler, Brett Cullen, Frances Conroy, Zazie Beetz, and Robert De Niro. Production of the film was done by DC Films, Bros. Pictures in collaboration with Village Roadshow Pictures and Bron Creative, and Warner Bros carried out the distribution work.
Joker borrows some aspects from The Dark Knight Returns (1986) and Batman: The Killing Joke (1988); however, Silver and Phillips were not inspired by any particular comics. The principal photography work was conducted from September to December 2018 in different locations such as Newark, Jersey City, and New York City.
On August 31, 2019, the film was premiered at Venice International Film Festival, where it garnered the Golden Lion, and on October 4, 2019, it was opened in the United States. Joker emerged a significant box office accomplishment by setting records for an October opening. It was the first R-rated film to gross more than $1 billion and the 6th highest-grossing film of 2019.