Harley Chooses To Return
Throughout the film, a subplot develops regarding Harley Quinn and The Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime is desperate to reunite with his beloved, so he finds Griggs and manipulates him by exploiting his weakness – his gambling addiction. Using Griggs, he covertly supplies Harley Quinn with a cell-phone, and sends her messages to tell her he is coming for her.
When he does, it is in spectacular fashion – by hijacking the helicopter that is meant to airlift Amanda Waller out of the city, and opening fire on the Squad. By infiltrating the company responsible for the manufacture of the explosive devices inserted into the necks of the Squad, The Joker disables Harley’s, leaving her free to escape with him. It is an ill-fated rescue attempt, however, as the helicopter is shot down shortly after the lovers are reunited. Harley falls from helicopter, lands on a rooftop and watches it crash into the street – presumably with The Joker on board. She is devastated, lost, and alone.
When the remaining Squad members emerge from the skyscraper, they find Harley sitting atop a car in the rain. She has been crying, but the precipitation has hidden her tears. Seeing her colleagues approach, she gathers herself and fakes a warm smile. She has decided to return to the fold, and the Squad welcomes her back.
This is among the most significant moments for Harley, because at this point, she is entirely free. The explosive device in her neck has clearly been disabled, and she could easily slip away into the night without fear of retribution from Amanda Waller. As far as she knows, The Joker is dead, so she is no longer under the influence of her devotion to him. She chooses to return to the Squad, however, which demonstrates that she is a person who needs people. She needs to feel as though she is a part of something – whether it is a rag-tag group of supervillains, or a deeply unhealthy, abusive relationship with a psychopath.
