**This article contains movie spoilers!**
Ever since the initial casting for "Suicide Squad" was announced in December of 2014, I have been patiently awaiting this film's release. I enthusiastically followed the actors on Twitter and Instagram hoping to catch a sneak peek of someone in full costume. I mulled over the first photograph released of Jared Leto's Joker, debating whether it remained true to the maniacal villain's insanity or if it was too silly and forced for such a complex character, (ultimately deciding that although it was a different look for the psychopathic clown, it brought the character into 2016).
Basically, I was really excited.
"Suicide Squad" was finally released to the public on Friday, Aug. 5 and on Saturday, Aug. 6 I paid $11.25 for my movie ticket and I can happily report that the film was everything I could've ever wanted it to be and more; Will Smith brought the assassin, Deadshot to life as a ruthless killer with a surprisingly clever sense of humor who ultimately commits acts of murder to support his daughter. Jay Hernandez emerged as an initially passive Diablo who's actually haunted by his destructive past wielding "the devil's gift" of fiery devastation. Even Jai Courtney as the wise-cracking thief, Boomerang and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje covered in scaly special effects makeup as Killer Croc provided epic action sequences as well as comedic relief. But it was the leading ladies that I was by far the most impressed by, and therefore lead me to questioning, is Suicide Squad a feminist movie?
Wait, before you click away because I threw the f-word in there, let me explain. It's no secret that comic book movies are predominantly focused on men; "Batman vs. Superman," "Captain America: Civil War," "Deadpool," just to name a few that came out in 2016. I realize that these movies do in fact feature a few strong female characters such as Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, and Wonder Woman (who, by the way, is getting her own movie set to hit theaters in June of 2017!) Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that these women are represented in their prospective movies, but their screen time and character development far pale in comparison to their male counterparts. (Another disclaimer- I'm a fan of the male superheroes! I feel for Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man and Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool had me laughing to the point of tears. I even own my fair share of Batman merchandise.) But a common theme in all of their movies that I continue to see over and over again is the lack of women in equal positions of power. Think about it- in all three of the comic movies mentioned above, there are only three women that even come close to sharing the spotlight with the men. Suicide Squad, however, flips this motif on its head.
Let's start with Viola Davis as Amanda Waller.
This woman is terrifying in all the best ways. Waller single-handedly congregates the team of baddies and won't take no for an answer when she proposes her idea of wanting "...to assemble a task force of the most dangerous people on the planet, who I think can do some good" . Davis as Waller commands every scene she appears in with power- her character is an assertive woman working in a man's world, but she doesn't care. She knows her dominance over them and has no problem ordering those who work for her to do her bidding. Waller is not concerned with how others perceive her, most notably observed in her first encounter with Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn in which Quinn asks Waller, "Are you the devil?" to which Waller replies, "Maybe." Plainly stated, Amanda Waller is a boss ass bitch (excuse the language). But to her credit, it's how she maintains her country's national security. Waller, a woman, is the supreme mastermind behind the Suicide Squad and uses tactics of fear and intimidation in order to keep them in line.
Next, Cara Delevingne as June Moone and Enchantress.
Before either character appears onscreen, Waller explains that June Moone is an archaeologist that became possessed by the soul of an ancient witch. Initially, Waller believes that she can control Enchantress- ordering Moone to call to the spirit in a haunting scene where a black hand emerges from Moone's sleeve and grabs onto her hand, taking full possession of Moone's body. It is later revealed that Waller cannot control Enchantress as the sorceress steals back her encapsulated brother's soul and proceeds to reap havoc on the city and eventually the world. Thus, Enchantress, another woman, becomes the true antagonist of the movie. Like Waller, Enchantress commands her army, made up of abducted citizens that she transforms into her personal soldiers of darkness with a deadly kiss. She feeds off of the energy of the living and channels it into creating a weapon that she plans to use to destroy the humans that used to worship her. What is perhaps more incredible than world domination is June Moone's determination in defeating the evil that invades her body as she tells her boyfriend and officer, Rick Flag that he needs to kill Enchantress, even if that means killing her as well. Yet another woman that you don't want to mess with.
Now onto Karen Fukuhara as Katana.
Although arguably one of the least developed characters in the movie, Katana serves as Rick Flag's bodyguard and, like Waller, is a woman of color. She's not technically a part of the Suicide Squad, considering that she's not a traditional bad guy turned antihero like the rest of the characters, but her origin story is still interesting, albeit brief compared to other characters (though I'd also like to point out that considering multiple characters had to be introduced to an audience for the first time, it stands to reason that more secondary characters including, Captain Boomerang and Killer Croc, wouldn't have as detailed individual backstories in a two-hour movie.) Katana skillfully attacks her enemies with a supernatural sword that traps the souls of its victims. It is later revealed in a touching scene where the otherwise stoic female samurai shows her vulnerability and cries into the blade, and it is explained that her husband was killed with the same sword, thus capturing his soul. Katana's great strength coming from a tragic loss is what I truly appreciated about her character. The fact this woman was hired to protect an entire team of traditional military men speaks volumes about female capability in a comic cinematic universe.
And last, but certainly not least, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.
Harley Quinn and Deadshot are the primary focus of "Suicide Squad," having the most thorough origin stories and more screen time than any of the other characters. Harley's also the most controversial character on this list when it comes to feminism, given the character's history in comics and the Batman animated series. She's often portrayed as a silly love-struck servant to the Joker, acting more for sex appeal than plot development. Quinn has also traditionally been involved in an abusive relationship with the Joker. Formerly known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, she worked in the psychiatric ward at Arkham Asylum where she was assigned to the Joker.
Instead of Quinzel curing him, however, the Joker manipulates the young doctor into falling in love with him. Harley's revealing costume, seeming dependence on the conniving Joker, and bubbly bordering on ditzy personality in the film puts into question if she's more degrading than empowering to women. However, I would argue that the way she dresses is her choice as evidenced in the sequence when the squad members are being given back their clothes/belongings; Harley initially pulls out the classic jester costume but then opts for the t-shirt and fishnets. Sure, she's sexy, but since when does a sexy female character have to be inherently offensive? (Not to mention Leto's Joker is arguably just as sexy as Robbie's Harley Quinn with his abundance of tattoos and distaste for wearing shirts.)
As to her relationship with the Joker, although by no means ideal as he does leave her behind to be captured by Batman before she's recruited by Amanda Waller, there is a certain amount of mutual admiration. The Joker takes Dr. Quinzel to the same chemical vats that had originally turned him and asks her if she'll live for him. Harleen then willingly dives headfirst into the chemicals (as opposed to being pushed by the Joker as in the comics). We then see possibly the first instance of compassion from the Joker, as seems to turn his back on Harley before what appears to be a change of heart, and jumps in after her. Throughout the rest of the film the Joker's main goal is "rescuing" Harley, suggesting that there could be an element of love, or at the very least care, between the two. With respect to her ditziness, Harley Quinn actually prevails as the true hero of "Suicide Squad" when she alone tricks Enchantress, leading the evil sorceress to her downfall. In this way, it is clear that Harley is more than capable of handling herself in any situation.
To sum up, "Suicide Squad" does a much better job of incorporating its female characters than other films of its kind. However, I definitely think Hollywood can do better. Squad's leading ladies are passionate, diverse, and ultimately feminist but are still far outnumbered by male characters. But still, the movie has made strides for women in the comic book cinematic universe and I can only look forward to the inclusion of forceful females in future films.
