The Joker (2019) Script Read online

  JOKER

  an origin

  written by

  Todd Phillips & Scott Silver

  13 April 2018

  This story takes place in its own universe. It has no connection to any of the DC films that have come before it.

  We see it as a classic Warner Bros. movie. Gritty, intimate and oddly funny, the characters live in the real world and

  the stakes are personal.

  Although it is never mentioned in the film, this story takes place in the past.

  Let's call it 1981.

  It's a troubled time. The crime rate in Gotham is at record highs. A garbage strike has crippled the city for the past

  six weeks. And the divide between the "haves" and the "have-nots" is palpable. Dreams are beyond reach, slipping into delusions.

  TP/SS

  OVER BLACK:

  HEAR LAUGHTER.

  The sound of a man totally cracking up.

  FADE IN:

  1

  INT. DEPT. OF HEALTH, OFFICE - MORNING

  1

  CLOSE ON JOKER (30's), tears in his eyes from laughing so

  hard. He's trying to get it under control. His greasy, black

  hair is matted down. He's wearing an old, faded red hooded

  zip-up sweatshirt, a threadbare gray scarf, thin from years

  of use, hangs loosely around his neck.

  WE NOTICE TWO FADED OLD SCARS cut at the corners of his

  mouth. Almost forming a smile.

  He's sitting across from an overworked SOCIAL WORKER (50's),

  African American. Her office is cramped and run-down in a

  cramped and run-down building. Stacks of folders piled high

  in front of her.

  She just sits behind her desk, waiting for his laughing fit

  to end, she's been through this before. Finally it subsides.

  Joker takes a deep breath, pauses to see if it's over.

  Beat.

  JOKER

  --is it just me, or is it getting

  crazier out there?

  Despite the laughter, there's real pain in his eyes.

  Something broken in him. Looks like he hasn't slept in days.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  It's certainly tense. People are

  upset, they're struggling. Looking

  for work. The garbage strike seems

  like it's been going on forever.

  These are tough times.

  (then)

  How 'bout you. How's the job? Still

  enjoying it?

  JOKER

  Yeah, I mean, it's different each

  day, so I really like that. I don't

  think I could ever work in an

  office. Behind a desk.

  (MORE)

  2.

  JOKER (CONT’D)

  (beat)

  No offense.

  She smiles. Writes something down. Looks at the clock, she's

  running late for her next appointment.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Have you been keeping up with your

  journal?

  JOKER

  Everyday.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Great. Did you bring it with you?

  Beat.

  JOKER

  (dodging the subject)

  I'm sorry. Did I bring what?

  SOCIAL WORKER

  (impatient; she doesn't

  have time for this)

  Arthur, last time I asked you to

  bring your journal with you. For

  these appointments. Do you have it?

  JOKER

  Yes ma'am.

  Beat.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Can I see it?

  He reluctantly reaches into his bag. Pulls out a weathered

  notebook. Slides it across to her--

  JOKER

  I've been using it as a journal,

  but also a joke diary. Funny

  thoughts or, or observations-- Did

  I tell you I'm pursuing a career in

  stand-up comedy?

  She's half-listening as she flips through his journal.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  No. You didn't.

  JOKER

  I think I did.

  3.

  She doesn't respond, keeps flipping through his journal--

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Oh yeah. Because of what your

  mother said,-- about your purpose.

  "To bring laughter and joy to the

  world," right?

  JOKER

  Right.

  ANGLE ON JOURNAL, pages and pages of notes, all in neat,

  angry-looking handwriting. Also, cut out photos from hardcore

  pornographic magazines and some crude handmade drawings.

  A flash of anger crosses Joker's face. We see him picking at

  his right eyebrow, almost obsessively. Trying to stay calm.

  His eyebrow is actually half-gone. Something he does a lot.

  JOKER

  I didn't realize you wanted to read

  it.

  The social worker gives him a look, then reads something in

  the pages that gives her pause.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  (reading out loud)

  "I just hope my death makes more

  sense than my life."

  She looks up at Joker. He just stares back. Lets it hang out

  there for a beat.

  Then he laughs a little, even though he doesn't think it's

  funny--

  JOKER

  Yeah. I mean, that's just--

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Does my reading it upset you?

  He leans in.

  JOKER

  No. I just,-- some of it's

  personal. You know?

  SOCIAL WORKER

  I understand. I just want to make

  sure you're keeping up with it.

  She slides his journal back to him. He holds it in his lap.

  4.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  What about your mom? How's she

  feeling?

  JOKER

  She has good days. But mostly bad.

  It's been a big help having me

  there. She really needs me.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Seems like she's been sick a lot

  since you got home.

  JOKER

  (nods)

  Yeah, it's good I'm there. When I

  was in the hospital, after my last

  episode-- she was having trouble

  getting over there to visit.

  She looks back up at the clock, she needs to get to her next

  appointment.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  All right. So, I'll see you again,

  two weeks from today?

  He nods. But keeps sitting there for a moment.

  She stands up, trying to signal it's time for him to leave--

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Is there something else I can help

  you with, Arthur? My next

  appointment is waiting.

  He just keeps sitting there.

  JOKER

  Yeah, I was wondering if you could

  ask the doctor to increase the

  dosage on my medications? Nothing

  seems to make a difference.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  (looking over his record)

  Do you know which ones you'd like

  increased?

  Shakes his head, no.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Have you been sleeping?

  5.

  JOKER

  (lying)

  Som
e.

  She glances at his file again.

  SOCIAL WORKER

  Arthur, you're on seven different

  medications. Surely they must be

  doing something.

  He finally stands up. Zips up his faded red sweatshirt.

  Looks at her--

  JOKER

  I just don't wanna feel so bad

  anymore.

  CUT TO BLACK:

  TITLE:

  JOKER

  2

  EXT. GOTHAM SQUARE, MIDTOWN - KENNY'S MUSIC SHOP - DAY

  2

  GOTHAM SQUARE IS CLOGGED WITH TRAFFIC. Non-stop honking

  horns, pedestrians crowding the sidewalk. Huge billboards,

  giant movie marquees, garbage bags piled high everywhere.

  Underneath it all we hear a TINKLING PIANO playing something

  bouncy and fast-paced.

  FROM ACROSS THE BUSY CITY STREET, we see Joker. He's dressed

  as a sad-faced HOBO CLOWN. This is his job.

  Dressed in tattered clothes, dark five o'clock shadow painted

  on his face, big bulbous red nose, his mouth's outlined in

  white, turned down at the corners.

  He's holding up a sign in front of Kenny's Music Shop that

  reads, "EVERYTHING MUST GO!" A banner above the store reads,

  "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!" Behind him, an OLD MAN plays a piano on the street. Both of them there to draw attention to the

  big sale going on in the store.

  Joker's doing a little Charlie Chaplin like waddle to the

  music. Most people walk right past, ignoring him. A few bump

  into him by mistake.

  JOKER SEES A GROUP OF FIVE BOYS, no more than 15-years-old,

  walking toward him. He moves out of their way. They crack up

  laughing when they see him. Start making fun of him.

  6.

  Joker ignores them, tries to do his job the best he can while

  maintaining some dignity. Keeps dancing and holding up the

  sign.

  One of the kids knocks the sign out of Joker's hands--

  KID #1

  Suck my dick, clown.

  The kids laugh. Joker doesn't say anything. Just bends over

  to pick up the sign--

  Another kid kicks him in the ass--

  KID #2

  Whoops.

  Joker falls face first onto the sidewalk. Oddly, the old man

  playing the piano picks up the pace of the music--

  The kids crack up. One of the boys grabs Joker's sign and

  takes off running across the street--

  The other kids follow, weaving through traffic--

  Joker gets up and gives chase. He needs his sign back.

  He almost gets hit by a taxi, spinning out of the way just in

  time-- Spinning right into another taxi that stops just short

  of hitting him.

  Joker keeps running through traffic. People stare. A clown

  barreling down the street has got to be a joke--

  3

  EXT. CORNER, SIDE STREET - GOTHAM SQUARE - CONTINUOUS

  3

  The five boys are booking it down the crowded street laughing

  and whooping it up. At the last second they take a sharp

  right turn down a cross street--

  Joker almost overshoots the corner, slip-sliding in his big

  red shoes--

  He rights himself and heads down after them--

  Sees them running up ahead--

  WHAP! Out of nowhere Joker gets hit in the face!

  He falls to the ground.

  One of the kids was hiding between parked cars and hit Joker

  with the "EVERYTHING MUST GO!" sign, splintering it in two--

  7.

  The other kids turn back and walk up to Joker down on the

  ground.

  Joker reaches out, still trying to save the sign--

  THE KIDS START KICKING AND BEATING THE SHIT out of Joker.

  It's brutal and vicious. Nobody on the street stops to help.

  CLOSE ON JOKER'S HOBO CLOWN FACE, down on the ground. Sweat

  running down his face, smearing his make-up. He doesn't even

  look like he's in pain. He just takes the beating.

  That stupid frown painted on his face.

  4

  INT. CITY BUS (PULLING OUT) - HEADING DOWNTOWN - DUSK

  4

  Joker, makes his way toward the back of the crowded bus, now

  walking with a slight limp, but keeping his head held high.

  His make-up's washed off, costume and props all shoved into a

  big shopping bag slung over his shoulder. Some white grease-

  paint still smudged on the sides of his face.

  He finds an empty seat in the back of the bus. Sees a sad-

  eyed FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL, face puffy from crying, sitting on

  her knees looking back at him. Her mother's facing forward,

  but even from behind you can tell she's angry.

  Joker sees the sad-eyed girl staring straight back at him. He

  doesn't know where to look, feeling self-conscious and small.

  He gets back into "character" smiling like a clown and covers his face with his hands-- Starts playing the peek-a-boo game

  with her.

  The girl stares back at him for a moment then giggles--

  WOMAN ON BUS

  (turns back to Joker;

  already annoyed)

  Can you please stop bothering my

  kid?

  JOKER

  I wasn't bothering her, I was--

  WOMAN ON BUS

  (interrupts)

  Just stop.

  AND SUDDENLY JOKER STARTS TO LAUGH. LOUD. He covers his mouth

  trying to hide it-- Shakes his head, laughter pausing for a

  moment, but then it comes on stronger. His eyes are sad. It

  actually looks like the laughter causes him pain.

  8.

  People on the bus are staring. The girl looks like she's

  going to cry again.

  WOMAN ON BUS

  You think that's funny?

  Joker shakes his head no, but he can't stop laughing. He

  reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small card. Hands it to

  the woman.

  CLOSE ON THE CARD, it reads: "Forgive my laughter. I have a condition (more on back)"

  She turns the card over and there is a bunch of information

  in small writing--

  "It's a medical condition causing sudden, frequent, uncontrollable laughter that doesn’t match how you feel. It can happen in people with a brain injury or certain neurological conditions."

  She doesn't read it (but if you freeze frame the movie you

  could). She just shakes her head annoyed and throws the card

  on the ground.

  Joker laughs harder. Tears running down his face.

  Not wanting to attract any more attention to himself, he

  pulls up his red hood, and uses his threadbare scarf to cover

  his mouth, trying to muffle the laughter.

  He looks out at the city passing him by.

  5

  EXT. LOWER EAST SIDE, STREETS - GOTHAM - EVENING

  5

  The bus pulls away, sun almost gone.

  Joker heads slowly down the litter-covered streets. Garbage

  is piled along the sidewalks, the air thick with smog creates

  a haze over everything.

  The streets are crowded with the poor, the elderly and

  disenfranchised. Women with children in busted strollers.

  Homeless people sleeping on subway grates. Stray dogs. His is

  one of the few white faces.

  Joker makes his way into a run-down drug store, behind him

  two drunks fight on the corner, beating the shit out of each

  other.
Joker, and nobody else for that matter, pays them any

  attention.

  No one here gives a shit.

  9.

  6

  INT. LOBBY, APARTMENT BUILDING - EVENING

  6

  A shabby lobby in a building that was once probably pretty

  nice, but now it's a dump.

  Joker checks his mailbox. He's holding a small white

  (prescription) bag in his hand.

  The mailbox is empty.

  7

  INT. ELEVATOR, APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

  7

  Joker steps onto the wheezing elevator, harsh fluorescent

  *

  lights, graffiti on the walls. As the door closes, he hears--

  *

  SOPHIE (OS)

  Wait!!

  He puts his foot out with some panache to stop the closing

  door-- He's a romantic at heart. Ding.

  And SOPHIE DUMOND (late 20's), tired eyes, hands filled with

  grocery bags, steps onto the elevator with GIGI, her 5-year-

  old daughter.

  SOPHIE

  Thank you.

  (realizing)

  Of course it’s you,-- everyone else

  in this building is just so fucking

  rude.

  Joker nods "thanks." Holds his breath, hoping he doesn't start to laugh.

  Floors dinging as the elevator rises.

  Joker sees GiGi licking the dirty smudged elevator handrail

  behind her mom.

  SOPHIE

  How’s your mom doing?

  He takes a deep breath, he's uncomfortable talking to her,

  holds up the white prescription bag.

  JOKER

  It's day to day. I’m doing

  everything I can to get her back on

  her feet.

  (re: pharmacy bag)

  Picked up her medicine. Gonna make

  her some dinner.

  10.

  SOPHIE

  (smiles; being polite)

  She’s lucky she has you--

  Joker smiles thanks, can't help but glance at GiGi licking

  the rail.

  Sophie finally notices. She wants to grab her but can't with

  her hands full. Tries to kick her away--

  SOPHIE

  Jesus. Don’t do that, GiGi! How

  many times have I told you that?

  (to Joker)

  This building is so awful, isn’t

  it?

  Joker just nods... he doesn't know what to say, but clearly

  wants to continue this conversation with Sophie.

  The doors open. They all step off.

  SOPHIE

  Okay. Well, tell your mom I said

  hello.

  And Sophie and GiGi walk down the hall-- the opposite way of

  Joker. He just stands there for a beat. Heart beating fast.

  JOKER

  (calls out after her)

  Hey Sophie--

  She turns around.

  JOKER

  I’ll tell my mom you said hello.

  She smiles as in "yeah, that’s what I said."

  8

  INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, FRONT DOOR - EVENING