A trademark smile takes on renewed significance in the new first trailer for Joker featuring Joaquin Phoenix in the eponymous role. Set against the backdrop of a typical urban looking Gotham, the disquieting teaser portrays the iconic Batman villain initially as a tragic, sad, little loser of a mama’s boy who, when he gets an up-close encounter with the nasty side of life, reacts uniquely.
The failed stand-up comic soon resorts to a life of crime.
The movie, written by Todd Phillips and Scott Silver, also stars Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz (as a possible love interest), and Marc Maron.
Joker hits theaters on Oct. 4.