The iconic DC villains Harley Quinn and the Joker have been around for ages, and each has been portrayed on the big (and small) screen across numerous films and animated series. David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, however, would mark the first live-action movie to feature both characters and the origins of their relationship.
Playing the villains are Margot Robbie and Jared Leto. Both Robbie and Leto have proven themselves throughout the years to be a couple of the most talented actors in the business. Leto earned his first Academy Award in 2014 for Best Supporting Actor in the film Dallas Buyers Club and Robbie has a total of two Oscar nominations in the category of Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for her roles in I, Tonya and Bombshell(respectively).
In Suicide Squad, Robbie and Leto starred alongside Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, Will Smith, Idris Elba, and John Cena. Suicide Squad is available to stream on HBO and a sequel, The Suicide Squad, was released on the streaming platform in 2021.
Here are Harley Quinn and Joker’s five best moments in Suicide Squad.
Updated April 25, 2023: If you’re a fan of DC villains, including this infamous duo, you’ll be pleased to know this article has been updated with additional content by Manthila Gallassage.
8 Harleen Quinzel Meets Joker
At the beginning of Suicide Squad, we learn that Harley Quinn wasn’t always the wild and unpredictable villain she is today. Harley Quinn was once Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist who was assigned to be Joker’s therapist. While she thought she was helping to cure the clown, she was falling in love with him.
Joker was able to manipulate the doctor’s feelings and turn her into his obsessive partner in crime. During this scene where Joker asks Harleen to do him a favor, and she responds with “Anything,” jumping at the opportunity to help him, it becomes clear that the two’s relationship is much more than what was intended to be. While everyone else in the facility is scared of the villain, Harleen is buying him gifts and offering to do him favors. This meeting marks the beginning of their outrageous adventures together as Harley Quinn and Joker.
7 Harleen Quinzel Chases Mr. J
A flashback of Harley Quinn was shown in the deleted scenes of the movie where Harleen Quinzel chases Mr. J on a motorcycle. The Joker thought he could avoid Harleen, but he thought wrong, after chasing him down she confronts him on how he cannot, he leaves after all she had done, and she confesses her feeling to the Joker. The only response the infatuated Harleen received was rejection and the words “Go away.”
6 Harleen Quinzel Becomes Harley Quinn
In a desperate attempt to prove she will do anything for Joker, Harleen Quinzel gives up her old life and identity to enter a new world with the Joker as Harley Quinn. After Joker tries to leave Harleen she confesses her love for him and begs him not to go. Joker takes her to a factory where he makes Harleen take an oath that she would not only die for him but that she would live for him.
Once she agrees, Harleen jumps into a vat of acid that turns her from Harleen Quinzel to the infamous Harley Quinn. The change marks her full commitment to Joker and proves just how crazy in love she is. This scene is filled with incredible cinematography that leaves a memorable impact on the viewer.
5 In The Club
Monster T meets the Joker in the club on discussing the success of the job done, the flair of the conversation did not start till Monster T (Common) mentioned how lucky the Joker is to have Harley Quinn in his life. The unexpected happened after the Joker said, “The fire of my loins, the itch of my crotch, the one, the only… infamous Harley Quinn.”
Joker gives Harley Quinn to Monster T as a treat but jealousy and anger are portrayed on his face. Monster T tries to clarify that he does not want to cross any boundaries with his lady, but it was too late, and the club scene ends with the death of Monster T and the laughter of Harley Quinn.
4 Harley Quinn’s First Signature Weapon
Another deleted scene that will supposedly be in the Ayer Cut of the movie is when the Joker beat an individual (which is not clearly shown or disclosed by James Gunn) with a baseball bat to death. All this was happening while Harleen Quinzel was strapped to a chair by Jonny Frost, the henchman. Eventually, Joker proceeds toward Harleen to electric shock her. This is when Harleen truly becomes Harley, and she proceeds to use the baseball bat as her signature weapon before the mallet.
3 Batman Saves Harley Quinn
In this next scene, we see Harley Quinn and Joker’s relationship in full effect. As they are speeding down highways and acting as if they rule the world, Batman intervenes and starts “ruining date night” (as Harley claims). In an attempt to stop the two villains, Batman forces the Joker to drive their car off the road and into a giant body of water. Even though they are murderous villains, Batman brings an unconscious Harley Quinn up from the water and saves her from drowning.
In addition to the fact that this is an action-packed scene, what also makes it great is that after Harley is rescued from her near death, she begins to laugh hysterically as if what just happened did not affect her at all. It is said in Suicide Squad that “She is crazier than him and more fearless”—and this scene is a perfect example of that.
2 Helicopter Blown Up
The next best Harley Quinn and Joker moment is towards the end of the film. When Harley realizes that Joker is up in a helicopter waiting to take her away, she, without hesitation, drops everything to be with him. This powerful moment is enhanced with the visual of Harley Quinn walking up to Joker, staring into his eyes amid the chaos and destruction going on around her, while a dramatic score fills all the space in the scene.
Finally, Harley makes it aboard the helicopter with Joker after almost getting shot by Deadshot (Will Smith) just for her to fall out of the helicopter as it’s being blown up. The sadness in Harley’s eyes after being separated from Joker once again makes this moment so important.
1 Joker Saves Harley
Right at the end of the film, and the most memorable Harley Quinn and Joker moment on our list, is when Joker saves the day and frees Harley Quinn. In this scene, Harley is locked back up behind bars like he is at the beginning of the movie. She sits in desperation until men raid the facility and start breaking down the bars that hold her there. One man takes off his mask to reveal that he is, in fact, the Joker.
This scene is so ironic because it’s the man that has Harley metaphorically trapped in his world that is freeing her from literally being behind bars. Although she is escaping imprisonment there is no escape insight from the Joker, and it seems as though nothing is impossible when Harley Quinn and Joker are together.
