A gritty origin story about Batman's archenemy, the Joker [1], is making its way to theatres, and it looks equal parts terrifying and tragic. This time around, Joaquin Phoenix is playing the villain [2], Arthur, in his early days, long before he met Batman. Judging from the final trailer, above, he appears to be putting a uniquely sad spin on the character [3] people have seen played by everyone from Jack Nicholson [4] to Heath Ledger [5].

According to the studio, Joker's story will pick up with the character in Gotham City in the early 1980s prior to his life as a criminal mastermind, resulting in an "exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale." Phoenix stars in the film alongside Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy (as Arthur's mother), and Robert De Niro [6] (who plays [7] a talk-show host who has a hand in driving Arthur toward a life of crime). The final few seconds of the new footage — "Can you introduce me as Joker?" — will no doubt send a chill down your spine.

Watch the trailer (and teaser below) for Joker before it arrives in theatres on Oct. 4, and then check out the full cast [8].

Teaser: