The New Harley Quinn

So, Saturday night, some friends and I went out to see Suicide Squad, which I've been dying to see. Though, something I was aware of, before even seeing the movie, was Harley's makeover. In the cartoon series clips that I've seen, Harley wore her original red and black jester costume. This costume does make a cameo appearance in the movie as the recruitments are changing into their costumes and getting their weapons, though.

In this scene, Harley is overcome with happiness as she hugs her old uniform, but soon is seen changing into something a bit more... skimpy. Now, I'm all for women wearing what they want and feeling comfortable with themselves, but with this being a fictional movie, there are clearly other motives to Harley's alterations. Harley's costume for the movie includes fishnet tights, shorts that might as well be some Victoria Secret boy shorts, a necklace/collar that says "Puddin" and a jacket with “Property of the Joker” written on the back representing her and the Joker's "relationship", a shirt that says "Daddy's Lil Monster", and high heels.

Now, compared to her original costume, Harley is definitely made out to be a more provocative character. The fishnets, shorts, and heels are an obvious factor of this (I mean really? What person can run and fight in heels without breaking or spraining something in the process?), but the things that give off a more sexualized tone are the words on her clothing. Her necklace and jacket are evident signs of objectification as Harley is being portrayed as the Joker’s property rather than as her own character. The collar especially makes her outfit more dehumanizing as it is showing her as an animal and that she is being broken down to obey her “master”. The shirt, while it’s not the worst part of the outfit, is also very sexual. I’m not exactly sure of the meaning behind her shirt or if there is one at all (never read the comics or really watched the shows), but I believe that with this timing of the movie and the ‘pop culture’ going on, it was meant to mirror and relate to the “Daddy” kink that has become very prominent most recently.

From what I’ve seen of Harley, though, and how her character herself was portrayed in the movie, I think she is amazing and love how badass she is. If it wasn’t for the fact that her costume was created by others due to her being, you know, fictional, I would have liked it better being her own decision, but still very sexualized and dehumanizing at that with the Joker’s mark left all over it. With her being one of the only female comic characters to have normally been fully covered by her costume and not oversexualized in the series, it’s a little disappointing to see how our society feels the need to change things like this to adhere to the times and sexual perversions to appeal to men and diminish young women’s self worth, compelling them to dress skimpy in order to get male attention rather than dressing for themselves and not needing male approval as girls should be taught.