The protagonists of Suicide Squad (2016, David Ayer) were no others than Harley Quinn and the Joker. In this new surreal world, their love story represents the present time lost generation. While the Joker simply questioned Harley’s loyalty in order to transform her into him, Harley’s dream is to become his housewife (IMDb, quotes):
Harleen Quinzel: Yes.
The Joker: That's too easy. Would you... would you live for me? Hmm?
Harleen Quinzel: Yes.
The Joker: Careful. Do not say this oath thoughtlessly! Desire becomes surrender. Surrender becomes power. You want this?
Harleen Quinzel: I do.
The Joker: Say it. Say it. Say it! Pretty pretty pretty pretty...
Harleen Quinzel: Please?
The Joker: God, you're so good.
[Harleen Quinzel jumps into a vat of acid]
Indeed the
Joker’s mind is damaged because again and again he wants to recover Harley, his
property and tool, but in reality he lacks any empathy towards anyone including
her. However, Harley’s dream to become the Joker’s housewife makes her a rotten
body eternally waiting for the fulfillment of having children. Metaphorically,
it can stated that the two represent nowadays lost generation who find forming
families or having a future an uncertain reality because of the lack of working
opportunities and education.
The connection of this science fiction / fantasy world with reality takes a new level with Suicide Squad. The leader of the Suicide Squad, Deadshot, agrees to take part on Amanda Waller’s plan with the condition of guaranteeing his daughter Zoe’s future. In United States, it is well-known that higher education and Universities are only reachable for a few elite while the majority working class do not access it. Deadshot states this reality with humor showing how only when the government wants something from you, then they are willing to give you something as essential as education for your children.
The connection of this science fiction / fantasy world with reality takes a new level with Suicide Squad. The leader of the Suicide Squad, Deadshot, agrees to take part on Amanda Waller’s plan with the condition of guaranteeing his daughter Zoe’s future. In United States, it is well-known that higher education and Universities are only reachable for a few elite while the majority working class do not access it. Deadshot states this reality with humor showing how only when the government wants something from you, then they are willing to give you something as essential as education for your children.
Meanwhile, the villain for Suicide Squad is one of their team, the evil witch, Enchantress. Enchantress’ alter ego, Dr. June Moone, continuously relies on her lover and savior Rick Flag in order to maintain herself under control. Still, Enchantress takes over and, with her brother Incubus, they threat the world and try to cause humanity’s destruction.
At the beginning of the movie, Deadshot is portrayed as a killer but with a Christian belief as he is seen with Zoe in Christmas wearing a gold cross. Zoe is always the one who brings Deadshot to the good guys’ side as she makes him to pardon Batman’s life and surrender. By contrast, as Enchantress obtains more power thanks to her brother, the costume changes into a moonlike Ancient Egypt time’s one. Enchantress having the head decorated with a crescent just makes everyone into sticky black zombies while, with her magic, begins to destroy the world.
Hence throughout the movie, we can see the duality between the cross, symbolized by Deadshot, and the Islamic crescent, symbolized by Enchantress, which connects immediately to present time confrontation caused by radicalism.
At the end of the movie, Enchantress is killed and from her black Ancient Egyptian like body comes out alive Dr. June Moone to reunite with her lover, Rick Flag. Dr. June Moone’s salvation could be interpreted as a symbol representing freeing people from radicalism which only leads to everyone’s destruction.
To sum up, Suicide Squad is an entertaining family movie with lovable multicultural characters that are here to stay for generations. As reality changes so do villains and superheroes reflecting the real world we all create.
