Can Hollywood Stop Fetishing Mental Illness In Women?

Suicide Squad has received some mixed reviews recently since it’s release in early August. Some reviewers are calling it one of the best movies of the summer, however others are calling it one of the worst movies to ever be created, even stating that it was Razzie worthy. But the real problem with this movie is the over-sexualization of Harley Quinn, who just happens to be “insane.”

The original Harley Quinn character in the DC comics was a therapist turned obsessive stalker. Her character was the resident therapist at Arkham Asylum that was treating the Joker during his time behind bars. However, Dr. Harleen Quinn soon becomes infatuated with the evil Joker and falls deeply in “love” with him.

The story isn’t so bad, however it’s the message that it sends to women and young girls that is problematic. Harley Quinn is always portrayed as a sexy crazy girl, which fetishes the idea of mental illness in women. This illusion is one of Hollywood’s favorite aspects of comic book movies, including characters such as Poison Ivy, Cat Woman, and X-Men’s Jean Grey.

When looking through a deeper filter, sexy comic book female characters are portrayed as insane, but their illnesses affect actual women and people in real life. Harley Quinn’s insanity is actually very identifiable as Stockholm Syndrome, where by torture she was forced to become infatuated and obsessed with the Joker. Her love is not of pure devotion, but was created because of the triggers that she obtained during torture. Even Jean Grey, who is a telepath from X Men can also be seen as a comic book creation of bipolar disorder.

Recently on Facebook, it has become more common to see posts and updates that show how romantic and ride or die the relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn is. However, when looking at their relationship through the mental illness scope, it is easily seen that the dependence that Harley Quinn has on the Joker is incredibly unhealthy and is actually taxing on her mental psyche.  The way their relationship is brought to life in the film forgets that young women and girls are watching the film and impressionable to the idea of an unbalanced relationship. The fetish of this “love” is harmful to young girls thinking that dependence, no matter how severe is okay.

The other issue with Suicide Squad is the the idea that looks are more substantial than mental health. Margot Robbie is beautiful and sexy, the movie clearly shows that, however her looks overpower her crazy antics. Every time Harley Quinn does something that suggests her attachment to the Joker or her struggle with dealing with reality, the movie focuses on her looks. This gives the suggestion, “if you’re hot, it’s okay to be crazy.” However, for real women that struggle with these problems, looks do not take away an invisible illness.

Comic movies are great. They suggest that good will always triumph over evil, but they also fetish and glorify unstable women, no matter how sexually pleasing they are. Harley Quinn is a clear example that these movies promote unhealthy mental health practices and suggest that men have a more stable sense of being. The DC fetish of Harley Quinn proves that Hollywood promotes unhealthy relationships that are not good for young women or young men to see.