Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay he co-wrote with Scott Silver. Based on DC Comics characters, it stars Joaquin Phoenix and provides an alternative origin story for the Joker. Against the backdrop of a decaying Gotham City, the film follows Arthur Fleck, a struggling mentally ill clown and aspiring stand-up comedian whose descent into moral nihilism inspires a violent countercultural revolution against the wealthy. Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy appear in supporting roles.