Harley Quinn and the Sexualization of Female Characters

Seeing family for the holidays has led me to enjoy the treasures of European Netflix. I’ve always wanted to watch Birds of Prey but never got the chance to, until now. I’ll be honest, D.C. movies have no place in my heart. Although there are some good ones, I’m sticking with Marvel for my dose of superhero entertainment. However, Birds of Prey is a rose in the thorn bush that is D.C. movies. Director Cathy Yan did a wonderful job at portraying Harley Quinn’s depth and trauma as a character, remedying the embarrassing mess that was Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad 2016.

First, to compare the characters, director David Ayer’s Harley Quinn is primarily depicted in a signature outfit. She wears tiny leather shorts that cover the amount low waisted underwear would with fishnets under them, along with a see-through, tight, ripped “Daddys Lil Monster” shirt which reveals her bright red bra underneath. She also can be seen wearing a thin little jacket over her shirt. She always has her makeup done. (Picture below).

Director Cathy Yan’s Harley Quinn keeps the signature look of the character but takes a vastly different approach than David Ayer. Harley is seen wearing many outfits, but she can be seen wearing mainly a bright pink sports bra, A slightly see-through white, baggy t-shirt, ripped denim shorts with stripes, chain necklaces, and funky sneakers. She also always has her makeup done. (Picture below).

Now, why is Birds of Prey Harley displayed significantly better than Suicide Squad Harley? Why is Suicide Squad Harley an over sexualized take on the character? Along with being portrayed in multiple outfits in Birds of Prey, Harley is seen to wear what showcases her personality and style along with a realistic approach to what her character would sport in the situations she is found in. Her look is messy, comfortable, and real, something that isn’t found conventionally attractive through the stereotypical male view. In Suicide Squad, she is messy in the sense of ditzy, helpless, and showing skin. Also, I feel like the choice of bra and see-through top perfectly explains the difference I am trying to point out. In Suicide Squad, Harley is wearing a wired bra. Even if you aren’t of the wired bra wearing community, you have definitely heard about how uncomfortable they are. Am I really supposed to buy that any person would choose to be uncomfortable in a situation of the kicking-ass variety? A sports bra is obviously the better choice, especially coming from someone with a BACHELORS DEGREE which I think many forget that Harley is supposed to have. Sports bras also, as suggested by in the name, are made for any sort of activity beyond (and including) sitting still and looking pretty. They’re made to allow for a full range of activity. A tight shirt does not make sense for someone who will need their full range of motion. The shirts being see-through aren’t even the problem because showing skin does not equal sexualization. It is the idea that women must normally express themselves with these unrealistic outfit choices in hard situations that call for something much different.

I will only be covering the way the characters were styled because I do not think I can properly assess character. Birds of Prey will obviously have more character insight into Harley because its her movie. However, I would like to point out what a great job Birds of Prey did at addressing the depth of Harleys character. It starts off explaining her trauma in a fun, Harley Quinn, like way, and continues to bring up and show her intelligence and how she worked and studied psychology for years. It also shows her dissociations from reality through things like the diamonds are a girls best friend musical number. I really loved Birds of Prey and I am so thankful for the characterization of Harley Quinn that they gave us.

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