The DC universe is adding to its endless list of movies with Harley Quinn’s Birds of Prey.
Instead of a solo film for Harley Quinn, who is played by actress Margot Robbie, this Suicide
Squad spin-off features an all-female crime fighting squad. Birds of Prey is the eighth film in the
DC Extended Universe series, alongside films like Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice
League, Aquaman, and Shazam! The film was supposed to premiere on Valentine’s Day in
2020. However, due to conflicts with the Bond film No Time to Die, it was released earlier on
Feb. 7, 2020.
Unlike the former PG-13 film Suicide Squad, this bold film has an R rating, which will be
the DC extended universe’s first R-rated release. Another special feature is the film’s director,
Cathy Yan. Yan is the second woman to be a director for the DC extended universe and she is
the first Asian female to ever direct a superhero film.
“I haven’t seen the film yet, but I hope it has a ton of action like Suicide Squad did,” said
sophomore Mia Perulli.
The movie takes place shortly after Harley Quinn’s split with the notorious criminal, Joker
(Jared Leto). Now Harley is no longer the sidekick, and in the film she joins heroic crime
fighters. These heroines include Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as
Black Canary, and Rosie Perez as Detective Renee Montoya. The female superheroes join
forces to save Cassandra Cain, played by Ella Jay Basco, from an evil Crime Lord Black Mask,
who is played by Ewan McGregor. Other additions to the movie are not certain, but may include
characters such as Katana, Hawkgirl, Catwoman, and Poison Ivy. It is also hypothesized that
the film may include some male heroes including Nightwing and Blue Beetle.
“Suicide Squad was one of my favorite movies, so I’m excited to see Birds of Prey and
compare the two films,” said sophomore Nicole Bonavitacola.
It is not clear how this combination of Harley Quinn and female superheroes came to be,
but from Quinn’s history, it can be said that she is often willing to work with others when there is
something in it for her. The film is also a major stand out from other DC movies, as it features a
girl gang whose lives are no longer focused around men.
“I have always loved the DC universe, and Harley Quinn is by far one of my favorite
heroines. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the female leads in the movie,” said
sophomore Jae Longaro.
Since the first screening in Mexico, the film has gotten only positive reviews, including on

a variety of social media platforms. Also, its premiere in London gave more of a chance for
critics and important people in the industry to share their thoughts on the exciting feature.
Overall, most people seem to agree that the film is worth watching.
On another note, Wonder Woman fans should make sure to look out for any connections
Birds of Prey has to the Wonder Woman sequel. There is a chance that Birds of Prey may
include a sneak peek into the next chapter of the Wonder Woman franchise.