Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) 2020

The cinematic journey begins with Harley Quinn’s (Margot Robbie) vivid animated flashback, recounting her tumultuous childhood as she recounts her origin story from scratch. As a young girl, her neglectful father repeatedly attempted to dispose of her, ultimately abandoning her at a strict Catholic girls’ school, where she blossomed into a rebellious troublemaker. Despite this rough start, Harley’s innate intelligence and determination led her to earn a PhD in psychology, marking a significant turning point in her life. It was during this period that she crossed paths with the enigmatic Joker (not explicitly mentioned but implied), sparking an intense romantic connection that transformed Harleen Quinzel into the iconic Harley Quinn.

However, the aftermath of their recent breakup, precipitated by the Joker’s role in facilitating her escape from prison (seen at the conclusion of the previous installment ‘Suicide Squad’), has left Harley reeling. She finds solace in her isolation, surrounded by the quiet company of her adopted hyena companion Bruce (named after the esteemed philanthropist Bruce Wayne) and the drab confines of a run-down apartment.

As she navigates the dark alleys of Gotham’s underbelly, Harley stumbles upon the notorious Black Mask club, where she indulges in reckless abandon, downing drinks and inciting chaos. Her impromptu outburst attracts unwanted attention from a local thug, whose condescending remarks prompt her to unleash her pent-up fury, leaving his leg mangled. The club’s owner, Roman Sionis/Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), remains unphased, aware that Harley’s association with the Joker had granted her a fragile sense of immunity among Gotham’s criminal fraternity.

Meanwhile, whispers begin circulating among the city’s underworld figures, speculating about Harley’s vulnerability in the wake of her breakup. Fueling this speculation is Roman and his partner-in-crime Victor Zsasz (Chris Messina), a calculating psychopath who brands himself with a gruesome tally for each of his victims. As Harley navigates this treacherous landscape, she becomes increasingly isolated, prompting an impromptu act of defiance: driving a truck into the Ace Chemicals plant, where she and the Joker shared a notorious past, reducing it to a spectacular explosion of fireworks.

Just prior to this explosive act, Detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) is investigating what appears to be a mob hit at a high-end restaurant. A flashback reveals Helena Bertinelli/Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) exacting revenge on the perpetrators using her trusty crossbow, earning herself the moniker “The Crossbow Killer.” As Montoya pieces together the evidence, she’s interrupted by the cacophony of the chemical plant explosion, prompting her to scour the scene for Harley’s distinctive J necklace – a beacon signaling her independence from the Joker and unwittingly declaring open season on herself.

As the dust settles, it becomes clear that Harley has inadvertently invited a swarm of deadly adversaries, including Roman, Victor, and other unsavory characters, all eager to exact their vengeance upon the self-proclaimed Queen of Chaos. The stage is set for a thrilling adventure as Harley Quinn embarks on a perilous journey to reclaim her independence and redefine her place within Gotham’s criminal underworld.

As Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) indulges in her beloved “perfect egg sandwich”, a group of disgruntled thugs, led by the tenacious Montoya (Ewan McGregor), closes in on her. A sudden tackle by Montoya sends Harley’s prized sandwich tumbling into the street, leaving her devastated and cornered. In a desperate attempt to escape, she hurls a bag of garbage at Montoya, inadvertently blindsiding one of the thugs and causing another to misfire his gun, allowing Harley to make a daring getaway. However, her brief reprieve is short-lived as she collides with a burly thug who shares a striking resemblance to her infamous face-tattooed foe, Joker. Just as he’s about to apprehend her, Helena (Viola Davis) swoops in on her motorcycle, disposing of the thug and clearing Harley’s path.

Meanwhile, Montoya returns to the police station, where she’s subjected to ridicule from her peers. She meets with Captain Patrick Erickson (Steven Williams), a former partner who capitalized on her hard work and earned promotion, as well as District Attorney Ellen Yee (Ali Wong), her ex-lover who’s now building a case against Roman. Despite their lack of support, Montoya remains committed to bringing Roman to justice.

In a separate storyline, Dinah Lance/Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) reaches out to Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco), a young pickpocket brought in for questioning by Montoya. Harley soon follows, driven by her own motivations and a desire to claim the diamond that Cass has acquired. However, she quickly realizes that she’s getting ahead of herself.

A week prior, Roman was boasting about his possession of the coveted Bertinelli Diamond to Mr. Keo (Francois Chau) at an exclusive club. This gemstone contains codes to their vast fortune and is now in Roman’s hands. The diamond also holds a dark significance, as it was the catalyst for Helena’s family tragedy. Keo refused to collaborate with Roman, a decision that ultimately led to his downfall.

At the same club, Dinah performs her captivating singing talents. She later commiserates with a drunken Harley, who confesses that she and Joker have parted ways. As Harley becomes embroiled in a dispute with another man, Dinah intervenes, delivering a brutal beating to the would-be abductors. Roman observes this exchange from his window, impressed by Dinah’s prowess, and subsequently dispatches Zsasz (Jake McDorman) to recruit her as his new driver.

Montoya attempts to extract information from Dinah about Roman’s plans but is met with resistance.

As fate would have it, Dinah’s life becomes intertwined with Cass’s, their shared living quarters serving as a catalyst for the unlikely pair’s bond. Dinah’s empathetic nature allows her to develop a soft spot for Cass, acutely aware of the foster parents’ abusive tendencies that threaten her well-being. Fast-forward to Cass pilfering Zsasz’s diamond, a move that precedes her arrest for an array of other pilfered goods.

Meanwhile, Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie) manages to slip away from Montoya’s clutches, only to be apprehended by Roman’s henchmen. The catalyst for Roman’s ire is multifaceted, stemming from perceived slights such as voting for Bernie, mispronouncing “expresso,” and affronting him with the nickname “Romey.” As Roman’s temper flares, Harley suffers a brutal beating at his hands, prompting a fantastical escape into a Marilyn Monroe-esque reverie set to the iconic tune “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.” Just as Roman contemplates Harley’s demise, Zsasz interrupts him with news of the diamond’s theft. In a calculated move, Harley proposes a deal: recover the stolen gem, and she’ll be spared. Roman accepts, but not before ordering a bounty on Cass.

Cut to Harley, fueled by determination and chaos, invading the police station with an arsenal of confetti bombs and colored smoke. With Cass in tow, Harley liberates her from captivity while also unleashing a horde of would-be assassins seeking vengeance against her. A lone baseball bat and lighter prove sufficient for Harley’s solo battle against the goons, with Cass providing sporadic support. As the station descends into chaos, more adversaries emerge, their coke-fueled rage no match for Harley’s unyielding fury. With Cass safely in hand, Harley makes her escape.

Roman’s ire reaches a boiling point upon discovering that Harley and Cass have escaped his goons. His frustration is palpable as he becomes fixated on Erika (Bojana Novakovic), a captivating club patron who unwittingly becomes the focal point of his fury. Zsasz’s Machiavellian whispers conspire to fuel Roman’s suspicions, convincing him that Erika’s laughter is mocking him. The subsequent degradation and humiliation inflicted upon Erika serve as a stark reminder of Roman’s monstrous nature, its cruelty and brutality laid bare for Dinah to witness firsthand.

As Harley Quinn (Maggie) grapples with the revelation that Cassandra Cain has ingested the precious gemstone, she resorts to unorthodox measures to retrieve it. A trip to a local market yields a stash of laxatives, which she warns Cass will render any unwanted assistance inconsequential in their quest for retrieval. The dynamic duo pilfers their supplies and returns to Harley’s apartment, situated above a Taiwanese eatery run by the benevolent Doc (Dana Lee). This humble abode has become a sanctuary for Harley, safeguarded by Doc’s watchful eye.

Following their return upstairs, Helena Bertinelli (Helena) approaches Doc with a request to reunite her with Harley. However, before this encounter can unfold, Harley shifts her attention to Helena’s troubled past. The narrative seamlessly transitions into a flashback of Helena’s formative years, where she recounts the brutal murder of her family by Stefano Galante’s henchmen. This traumatic event set her on a path of vengeance, as she was subsequently taken in by Galante’s goons and trained to become the deadly assassin she is today. Her ultimate goal: to cross Zsasz off her ever-dwindling list.

Meanwhile, at the GCPD headquarters, Detective Montoya (Taye) discovers that Officer Yee has betrayed her trust by revealing the truth about the stolen evidence to Lieutenant Erickson. This betrayal culminates in Montoya’s suspension, a stark reminder of the cutthroat world she inhabits.

As tensions escalate, Harley’s apartment comes under siege by Roman’s henchmen, resulting in its explosive destruction and the disappearance of Bruce (Bruce). The treacherous Doc is revealed to have sold out Harley for a handsome sum, leaving her seething with anger. In a desperate bid to salvage the situation, Harley offers Cass as collateral in exchange for immunity from Roman’s wrath. His agreement is short-lived, however, as Zsasz discovers Dinah’s secret text exchanges with Montoya and alerts Roman to their planned meeting. Enraged by this betrayal, Roman dons his Black Mask persona, setting the stage for a confrontation that will leave only one side standing.

As Harley (Harley Quinn) orchestrates a clandestine meeting at the Booby Trap, a nostalgic haunt from her tumultuous past with the Joker, Cass (Black Canary/Dinah Laurel Lance) is unwittingly caught in the crosshairs of betrayal. Harley’s plan to pass off the diamond involves strapping Cass to a toilet, but Montoya (Montoya) arrives on the scene, initiating a fierce battle that Harley manages to turn around by freeing herself and sending her adversary fleeing from the amusement park.

Dinah and Zsasz (Zsasz) soon appear, leading to a tense standoff that culminates in Helena’s (Huntress/Helena Bertinelli) timely intervention, where she dispatches Zsasz with an arrow shot to the neck. As the dust settles, the ladies engage in a heated confrontation until Roman’s (Roman Sionis) army of thugs converges outside, prompting Harley to propose an unlikely alliance against their common foe.

With Helena’s tacit approval, they scrounge up vintage weapons – Harley wields a trusty mallet, Dinah brandishes a bat, and Montoya dons brass knuckles – and prepare for battle. They plow through Roman’s goons with a combination of brute force and cunning before he kidnaps Cass, prompting the ladies to regroup and devise a new strategy.

Helena provides crucial backup as Harley sets out on roller blades to apprehend Roman, only to be knocked off course by intervening henchmen. However, she is rescued when Helena intervenes, taking down the goons with her martial arts prowess while simultaneously dispatching Roman’s vehicle in a spectacular crash. With Roman momentarily stunned, Harley seizes the opportunity to taunt him about his insignificance in Gotham’s criminal underworld, emphasizing that it is she and not he or the Joker who should command fear.

As Roman attempts to harm Cass, Harley springs into action, revealing that she had secretly planted a grenade on him and activated its deadly payload. The explosion sends Roman careening off the pier, where he meets his grisly demise in a burst of blood and water. With their nemesis vanquished, the trio reunites, relieved by Roman’s permanent departure from the scene.

The following morning, the ladies gather for a well-deserved celebration, indulging in tacos and margaritas as they revel in their shared triumph. However, Cass sees an opportunity to pass off the diamond, only to be swayed by Harley’s persuasive charms into embarking on a joyride with Dinah, leaving the GCPD and the Bertinelli accounts behind.

Later, Montoya is once again marginalized by Erickson (Erickson), who takes credit for her work in dismantling Roman’s empire. This perceived injustice prompts Cass to abandon her post at the GCPD and join forces with Helena and Dinah to form the Birds of Prey, leveraging the financial resources within the Bertinelli accounts to fuel their shared crusade against Gotham’s criminal elements.

As the dust settles on their daring heist, Harley and Cass conspire to sell their ill-gotten gains and hit the open road with an unexpected passenger in tow: Bruce Wayne (played by a resolute Robert Pattinson), who astonishingly emerges from his supposed demise. With Cass now firmly under her wing, Harley - self-proclaimed “softie” or not - issues a defiant challenge to anyone else daring to label her as such.

In the aftermath of the credits, a tantalizing whisper is left lingering in the air: Harley’s voice, low and husky, begins to tease the audience with a tantalizing morsel of information about the Caped Crusader… only for the audio feed to abruptly cut off, leaving viewers wondering what secrets she might be hiding.