Latest JOY Clips and More Promotional Videos Check out the latest JOY clips and more promotional videos! The film, written and directed by David O. Russell (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter), stars Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Édgar Ramírez, Bradley Cooper, Drena De Niro, Dascha Polanco, and Virginia Madsen. JOY will be released in theaters on December 25. JOY is the story of a family across four generations and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty. Joy stars Jennifer Lawrence. The story is inspired by the life and times of inventor entrepreneur Joy Mangano, creator of Ingenious Designs with over $1 billion in sales, as well as inspired by elements from the lives of other historic business pioneers.