Birds of Prey

Released in 2020, Birds of Prey is a riotous, neon-soaked action film that spins off from Suicide Squad and follows Harley Quinn as she breaks free from the Joker—and from everyone else's expectations. Directed by Cathy Yan and led by Margot Robbie’s irrepressible performance, the movie delivers a chaotic blend of dark comedy, stylized violence, and feminist rebellion.

The story begins with Harley newly single and suddenly vulnerable in the criminal underworld of Gotham. No longer protected by her infamous ex, she becomes the target of various thugs, most notably Roman Sionis, a sadistic crime lord played with delicious menace by Ewan McGregor. To survive, Harley unexpectedly joins forces with several powerful women: Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett), Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), and young pickpocket Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco). Together, they form the unlikely team known as the Birds of Prey.

The film’s style is bold and unpredictable, with a nonlinear narrative and animated sequences that echo Harley’s fractured psyche. The fight choreography is some of the best in any DC film—creative, brutal, and bursting with personality. Robbie owns every frame, balancing Harley’s cartoonish chaos with moments of genuine vulnerability. The supporting cast adds depth and dynamic energy, particularly Smollett and Winstead, who hint at even greater stories to come.

While the pacing sometimes stumbles and the story is more character-driven than plot-heavy, Birds of Prey stands out for its commitment to tone. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it also doesn’t shy away from portraying the trauma and survival instincts of women in a world built by—and for—violent men.

In the upcoming (imagined) sequel, Birds of Prey: Gotham Reign, the team faces a rising power vacuum in the city after the fall of Sionis. A mysterious new villain—known only as The Widow—has begun uniting the city’s remaining crime families under a brutal regime. Meanwhile, Black Canary tries to maintain order in the East End, and Montoya runs for district attorney, hoping to clean up Gotham from the inside.

Harley, of course, is back—this time trying to “go straight” by opening a chaotic but surprisingly popular therapy service for ex-villains. But when Cassandra Cain is kidnapped, the team must reunite and confront a new threat that cuts deeper than before: betrayal from within.

The sequel promises higher stakes, darker undertones, and a deeper dive into Gotham’s criminal elite—while still keeping the irreverent energy and unpredictable charm that made the original a cult favorite.