In case you had any doubt, 'Joker' is going to be DARK.
Although there's been adult, R-rated comic-book movies in the past, the sense you get with 'Joker' is that it's going to be a lot more than you'd expect.
Sure, 'Logan' had Wolverine driving his claws into some guy's head, and 'Deadpool' had... well, take your pick. However, with 'Joker', the sense from the trailers and imagery we've seen so far is that it's going to be more disturbing than particularly graphic. In fact, the latest promotional image from Todd Phillips seems to suggest that the final touches are being put to the movie.
In the comments of the post, however, Phillips confirmed that 'Joker' will be rated R. Not that anyone had any doubt, mind, but it's finally there in black and white for all to see.
Set in 1981, 'Joker' follows Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) as a failed comedian who turns violent and mentally disturbed after repeatedly being brutalised and victimised by the world around him. Robert DeNiro is set to play a late-night TV chat show host, with the likes of Zazie Beetz, Brian Tyree Henry and Marc Maron all taking up supporting roles. The movie won't be connected as such to the DC Extended Universe, and while the likes of Thomas and Bruce Wayne might appear in the story, they're not the focus of it.
'Joker' hits Irish cinemas on October 4th.