Who Plays The Joker In ‘The Batman’?

Warning: Spoilers for The Batman below!

Since it premiered in theaters in March, The Batman has been the hottest movie-related topic of conversation (that doesn’t involve one grown man slapping another grown man on live television during an awards show being broadcast to a worldwide audience). Now that the superhero crime-drama is available on HBO Max, it is open to an even wider audience that has the power to pause and rewind. So it’s no surprise that this big-name film depicting the latest iteration of DC Comics’ classic character, Batman, is turning heads thanks to the understated appearance of one the the baddest and most renowned Batman villains of all-time… The Joker.

To set the record straight, The Batman actually doesn’t have a whole lot to do with The Joker. This time around, the big baddie is The Riddler (Paul Dano), who has been targeting Gotham City’s elite through a series of murders and leaving a trail of cryptic clues in his wake. The Batman (Robert Pattinson) swiftly follows the trail, leading him on an investigation into Gotham’s dark underworld where he encounters unforgettable characters like Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), The Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and, of course, The Riddler. When the evidence starts leading close to home and reveals the full (and frightening) scale of the perpetrator’s plans, it is up to Batman to forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to Gotham City.

So where the heck does The Joker come into this?!

Towards the end of the movie, The Riddler is finally caught and upon his arrest, is unmasked to reveal forensic accountant Edward Nashton. Nashton is sent to Arkham Asylum, where he makes a… very interesting new friend. We never clearly see this character who is credited as “Unseen Arkham Prisoner,” but judging by his distinctive laugh (as well as confirmation from director Matt Reeves, himself), we’re left with no doubt that The Joker is there, hanging around, just waiting for the chance to cause some havoc. But who even is this blurry face behind the newest Joker? Keep reading to find out.

WHO IS BARRY KEOGHAN, WHO PLAYS THE JOKER IN THE BATMAN?

Though we don’t see him clearly as he talks through his Asylum cell door with The Riddler, we now know thanks to the credits and confirmation from Reeves that The Joker is played by Irish actor Barry Keoghan. While most of what we see of Keoghan’s Joker in the final cut of the film is a distorted, partially-visible figure, the actor still leaves a strong impression thanks to that iconic Joker laugh. And if that wasn’t enough to leave you with chills, then there’s no doubt that a recently released deleted scene from the film will. The five minute clip showcases Keoghan’s acting chops, as we see the full spectrum of his affecting and horrifying take on the psychotic villain.

Before The Batman, the 29 year-old actor had already made quite the name for himself. Over the past 11 years he’s spent as a professional actor, Keoghan has amassed an impressive filmography bolstered by roles like Wayne in Love/Hate, Martin Lang in The Killing of Sacred Deer, George Mills in Dunkirk, Spencer Reinhard in American Animals, Pavel in Chernobyl, Dymphna in Calm With Horses, Scavenger in The Green Knight, and Druig in Eternals. He is the winner of an Irish Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor, and has been nominated for a British Independent Film Award, an Independent Spirit Award, and two BAFTAs.

Outside of acting, Keoghan is an ambassador for both Dior and Barretstown, as well as a proud dog owner, and an amateur boxer.

For even more from your new favorite Joker, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram.