Since Suicide Squad came out in 2016, there have been multiple and often contrasting opinions and reviews of the movie’s take of the character and, more specifically, about Jared Leto’s performance as the Clown Prince Of Crime. This version of the Joker can be seen as a more modern take, which highlighted his gangster side (and paid some attention to Joker’s fashion sense).
In comics, the Joker is many things: Prankster, torturer, mad man, evil genius, gangster, and so much else. The Jared Leto outfit and look are not completely inaccurate, while his tattoos and eyebrows could have many improvements. Some other physical details made the look more fascinating, but when it comes to qualities other than looks, his lines, plot, characterization, and dialogue often didn’t honor the comics’ most infamous villain. Still, there were multiple instances where the Joker’s DCEU role was successfully fulfilled.
9 When He Threatened Griggs
To infiltrate Arkham Asylum and break Harley out, Joker kidnaps one of the guards watching over her in prison, intending to blackmail him into giving her a phone and getting a message to her.
In this scene, his mannerisms were creepy and uncomfortable, which is great for the character. Sometimes Jared Leto seems to oversexualize the character a bit, or his lines become needlessly edgy. However, for most of this scene, Joker was unstable, unpredictable, and cruel— but still intriguing and entertaining to watch.
8 When He Kidnapped The Doctor To Hack Harley’s Neck Chip
Right before the first helicopter crash of the movie, Joker and his henchmen infiltrate one of Amanda Wallace’s labs and kidnap one of the scientists working for her (specifically working on the squad and their explosive neck chips) to deactivate Harley’s chip and get her back.
Although the motive sounds out of character, his mannerism, threatening look, rage, and madness were captivating. Especially as he presses the iPad’s screen against the glass for the doctor to see it, while his evil, contorted face and light groaning freaked the scientist out.
7 Electro-Shock Therapy On Harley In Arkham Asylum
One of the most uncomfortable scenes throughout the whole movie was seeing Joker electroshock’s therapy with Harley as revenge for her previously doing it to him before the Arkham Asylum breakout.
The lines were better than the usual edgy ones— especially in the extended cut— and his facial expressions were fittingly over the top. He’s a mad man who’s communicating to Harley for the first time, admitting how her shock therapy destabilized him and how he was going to do the same to her. It was the perfect example of the Joker’s torturing side.
6 When He Was Shooting From The Helicopter To Rescue Harley
As the squad took a break to think about their next move, they moved onto the roof of a building in the hopes of being rescued by one of Amanda Waller’s helicopters to move and carry on their mission.
The helicopter approaches and Joker makes his entry, with his hysterical laugh and while recklessly shooting at them with a gun. The maniacal evil laugh, outfit, mannerism, and his theatrical, sudden assault on the squad were all accurate and (in)appropriately Joker-esque.
5 Harley Chases Joker On A Motorbike & Realizes He Is Afraid Of Opening Up
One of the best scenes that were luckily saved by the extended cut of the movie is another one in which Joker and Harley’s dynamic gets further explored.
Here, Joker is depicted as uncaring, emotionless, and completely self-centered (which is a pretty accurate depiction of the character, or at least, of some of his pivotal characteristics). He runs away from Harley’s love, but she figures out that it’s a result of him being afraid of opening up. This scene showcased the on-screen chemistry between Leto and Margot Robbie that captured Joker and Harley’s dynamic so well.
4 The Chemical Vat Scene Shows More Of Joker’s “Soft Side” Than Any Previous Live-Action Incarnation
The chemical vat scene is perhaps one of the most important and iconic scenes regarding the relationship between Joker and Harley. The dialogue and exchange of glances between the two were hypnotizing and made for one of the movie’s best scenes.
Joker’s final evil laugh is perfectly chilling, and his (initial) plan to kill Harley is pretty faithful to his character. It’s worth mentioning that his internal conflict towards the end of the scene when he decides to save Harley instead of letting her die demonstrates a facet of the Joker that’s been explored by comics, but never touched in live-action movies before.
3 The Batmobile Chase Scene Gives Just A Tease Of Joker & His Favorite Rival
As Batman chases Joker and Harley’s racing car through Gotham, the clown couple laughs and recklessly accelerates through the traffic. Despite their risk of being caught, the two of them seem to be enjoying their “time out”, which is a pretty accurate representation of the two.
It makes the scene exciting and engaging, and moreover, Joker’s car and fashion sense do not fail the character. It brings a classic Batman/Joker dynamic element, which is extremely satisfying to see on screen.
2 The Therapy Session Scene Sees A Rare Glimpse Of Joker Interacting With Harley Before She Becomes Harley
Back in Arkham Asylum, when Joker used to be Dr. Harleen Quinzel’s patient, we get to see the two of them interact before becoming an official “couple.”
Here, Joker is obviously more excited to find a way to break out and escape rather than therapy, and the soon-to-be Harley Quinn has already fallen for him, which is an accurate depiction of the start of their dynamic and relationship.
1 The Club Scene Showcases His Possessiveness Over Harley & His Power Over Gotham
Although not everything from this scene is Joker or comics-accurate, it also must be admitted the similarities between Joker’s gangster side in comics and his dynamic with Harley. His jealousy towards her isn’t inaccurate, considering that in plenty of comics and even the animated series in which this couple was born (BTAS) Joker demonstrates jealousy and possessiveness in her regards (like BTAS’ episode “Beware The Creeper”) despite still being toxic to her.
She follows his orders as Harley normally would. His charm, coldness, and arrogance are true to his character, and the depiction of Joker as the Prince Of Gotham’s underground was very well-demonstrated here.