Disclaimer: This serves as a trigger warning for readers who may have ongoing issues with PTSD, mental health issues, or experience with domestic violence. While there are no real spoilers about Suicide Squad, there are still images from the movie embedded below.
I went to see Suicide Squad last weekend despite the mixed reviews. Look, I needed my geek card punched and I wanted to be able to say that I checked it out. I was intrigued more than anything and that’s what compelled me to go. Would Will Smith be a terrible version of Deadshot? How exactly would Margot Robbie portray this ‘New 52’ Harley Quinn? Would Jared Leto bomb the role of Joker? And so I went… with my expectations somewhat lowered.
To put it simply, this wasn’t movie of the year. I didn’t leave the theater thinking “Wow! That was amazing!” or anything close to it. But that isn’t to say it was a bad movie either, and I think my feelings are largely swayed by the fact that I went in with such low expectations. If I went into the movie as a Suicide Squad, Batman, or Joker & Harley super fan… well, I think I would have left the theater feeling upset.
But I’m not really here to talk about whether the movie was good or bad. I’m here to talk about the darker side of this villainous film – misogyny and abuse.
“It’s just a movie”… I heard myself say aloud while reading articles, tweets, and Facebook posts after returning home from the theater. And then I cringed a little, because I don’t really feel like the social injustices portrayed in the film are okay – not by a long shot. But the fact remains… it’s a movie and I’m okay with the situations, language, and attitudes that were expressed in Suicide Squad. Not because I like or agree with them, but rather because they are real and remind us that these people are villains.
The Abuse
If you know anything about the relationship between Harley Quinn and the Joker, then I am not spoiling anything for you by mentioning the clearly abusive relationship these characters are in. I’m starting here because I feel like this is the most touchy subject for people who have watched the film. They have gotten so caught up in the cute Harley Quinn costumes, or the Joker Funko Pop and other assorted merchandise that they seem to have lost sight of the fact that they are both mentally unstable, abusive, and manipulative characters – people we probably shouldn’t be idolizing or #shipping and #relationshipgoals as much as we do.
Nevertheless, these characters bring important knowledge to the screen. As a former victim of physical and mental abuse, I am happy to see it presented in a pop culture film… and more importantly, that people are upset about it. Good, get upset. That’s exactly what you should be doing. They literally just showed you that a white, privileged, and highly educated woman has mental flaws and instability. Your attention was turned on to the fact that mental health is an issue for everyone, including every day productive members of society. Once they got your attention with that, they showed you what it can look like when that person is subjected to extreme mental and physical abuse. Harley Quinn is the literal poster child for abuse.
But sometimes abuse is a two way street. Women aren’t the only ones who are mistreated and sometimes the abused become the abusers. Harley was so intensely in love with the Joker. She treated him much in the same way he treated her and so she showed her affection often in mean, abusive ways. Her infatuation drove her mad and she lost the ability to act appropriately in romantic and social settings – including coming to believe that the way to get the love she so desperately wanted was to toy with men, dress provocatively, and hurt people.
These villainous characters are classic depictions of real people. If you are mad about it being on a 30 foot tall screen, it’s because you are uncomfortable with the subject matter being so largely in your face.
The Misogyny
I’m not going tell you that I am ever really happy to see women degraded in a film. I don’t like it any more than you do. But, sometimes it’s necessary. Wait, wait… just hear me out on this, okay? I know we do all we can to teach our children that women (and men!) are to be respected. I recognize that some people see the degradation of women in a movie as “setting us back 50 years”. But this isn’t a movie for children. This is a movie for grown adults (despite its PG-13 rating) who should have the mental capacity to acknowledge that these are characters on a movie screen acting out some of our most prevalent social flaws.
Once again, I will remind you that these characters are Villains – literally defined as a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot. So when Deadshot advised a teammate to control his girlfriend by smacking her on the ass, or when Slipknot punches a female guard because “She had a mouth on her”, you are supposed to react. You are meant to get angry. You aren’t supposed to like these people… they are villains! The characters are seen doing these things because it’s the way by which the writers show you that these are meant to be the anti-hero, unlikable bunch.
Would you ever see Batman smacking a woman’s ass or treating her poorly just because she’s conventionally beautiful? No. Of course not. He’s a hero.
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Your Thoughts?
Suicide Squad is just another movie – a story or event recorded by a camera as a set of moving images and shown in a theater or on television. This movie is meant to show you how the other half live so to speak. It’s not supposed to be pretty. These characters aren’t designed to be likable or act in a socially acceptable manner. They are classic anti-heros… lacking conventional heroic attributes which includes being kind, and appropriate.
Having said that, I am interested in your perspective and thoughts. Have you seen the movie? I’m especially curious about the opinions of die-hard fans of the DC universe who may have a differing point of view. Share yours with me in the comments and let’s chat.
Thanks Puddin’ ;)
I’m not a “die hard fan” per-say – but I do enjoy the stories that DC writes because they usually are much darker than Marvel.
I totally agree with you on the fact that they are anti-heroes who we aren’t suppose to really like and you really had me going about especially about the misogyny.
Harley was really meant to be a warning for girls – I read an interesting article about the abuse that she went through, but I really liked that you incorporated the fact that she is also an abuser. Some people forget about that. Both her and the Joker are messed up and do not play by normal society’s rules…
I haven’t seen the movie, but I think you are spot on with all of this!
Such a great post. Everything you’ve written is spot on, and I love that you mentioned that the abusive relationship between Harley and the Joker is a two way street, because it really is.
I’ve also heard a lot of people commenting on Harley’s costume, saying it’s degrading and that they did it specifically in the movie to make more money with the male audience, but what they don’t realise is that Harley’s outfits are much more revealing in the comics.
She dresses like that because she wan’ts too. It’s no more revealing than some of the outfits I occasionally see on 12 year olds walking down the street.
I think it’s also important for people to understand that what was considered provocative and revealing when Harley was originally drawn… is very different now. In order to drive forward her story, you have to see her in skimpy clothing and in 2016, that means a lot less clothes.
and at this point though, what’s the difference between latex boob socks in the 90’s animated series next to booty shorts? it’s all relative <3
I read this yesterday, and I feel like it is one of the better perspectives I’ve seen from the movie. I haven’t seen it yet, and haven’t planned on paying to see it in theatres. Quite honestly I have a bigger problem with the way Harley Quinn’s character has transformed from a costume perspective. I think your opinions will help me see the movie in a different light.
Thanks for reading, Sadie!
That’s exactly why I mentioned it. I’d read a lot about Harley’s provocative clothing and people feeling upset or turned off because of the change. It’s 2016 and what was provocative when she was first conceptualized isn’t considered so now. She has little to no concept of decorum and needs to be in skimpy clothing to drive home who her character is.
I would see it in theater… because it’s arguably cheaper if you see it during a matinee showing VS buying it or renting it later. :D
Ok, I haven’t seen the movie, but I do disagree in a certain manner. Mainly, the mysogyny factor. And this is more in general, not specifically to Suicide Squad since as said, I haven’t seen it! But as you pointed out these specific situations (the ass smacking, ‘she had a mouth on her’) I’m disappointed that things like that are in a PG-13 movie. Because that implies that the people in charge see this as a movie acceptable for 13 year olds, who do NOT have the capacity to think like an adult because they are NOT an adult. And yes, I get this movie is about villains, but they are wholly glorified villains. Which makes what they do appealing, especially to kids (and 13 year olds are most certainly still kids.) If mysogyny is a part of a main character’s personality, and that movie is marketed to a demographic that include kids, I find that really unfortunate.
I entirely agree that misogyny and even abuse can have their place in movies/shows/books/etc. As you said, these things exist in real life, and that is the sad truth. But I personally wish it was only in the context of a film aimed at adults, not at impressionable teens who, given the celebrity culture in our society, are so prone to emulate this kind of behavior. And yes, obviously, I know it lies with the parent to teach their kid, and I shouldn’t expect kids to be kept naive and such, but it still makes me sad!
^^^^ Yup. Yup yup yup.
Okay, so I needed a little time to process this and come to my sound conclusion before making a response.
For starters… You’re right. I don’t agree with the PG-13 rating. I think they place way too much emphasis on what is or isn’t acceptable for children when it comes to gore and swearing… and not enough on the psychological aspects and adult nature of the situations being presented in film. Children have no business seeing this movie… and it’s unfortunate that it’s marketed towards them.
That’s really all I have. I still agree with what I said… but do wish it weren’t aimed at children.
that is the one thing i was upset about — they could have successfully went deadpool with this and did an R rating and better scenes and just cut the unnecessary “kitchy” dialogue between the men and women. even the katana stuff i was like -_- seriously?
ugh kimi. thank you… this post is something for everyone who’s so hell bent on making everything about them set them straight and in line. it’s just a movie. it’s just a goddamned ‘nother representation of characters created back in the 90’s. i’m so sick and tired of everyone complaining about the “misuse of sexual representation” and “how slutty her costume is” and all the pro-pc debaters thinking this is a garbage fire. don’t get me wrong, i didn’t love the movie, but people just need to stop hating on another person’s representation of an already damaged character. (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.) kimi seriously this post was eloquent AF.
“kimi seriously this post was eloquent AF.” – I am so quoting that. That was the best ever.
I think people forget a lot… that these characters were made during a different time. Not that that excuses a character’s poor, disrespectful behavior… but yeah like I mention – VILLAINS.