You’ve seen them everywhere. Thousands of grainy screenshots, high-res posters, and endless Pinterest boards. Honestly, it’s kinda wild how one specific version of a character—Margot Robbie’s 2016 debut—is still the gold standard for images of Harley Quinn Suicide Squad. Even after two sequels and a whole solo movie, that "Daddy's Lil Monster" tee and those sequined hot pants are what people think of first. It’s basically the outfit that launched a billion cosplays.
But why? And what’s actually happening in those pictures that people miss?
Most people just see a "crazy" clown girl. Look closer, though. The 2016 film, directed by David Ayer, was going for a specific, grungy, street-level vibe. Costume designer Kate Hawley didn’t just pick stuff off a rack. She looked at real-life references like Debbie Harry and Courtney Love. They wanted Harley to look like she’d been through a blender and came out smiling.
What Most People Get Wrong About Those 2016 Shots
There’s this huge misconception that the 2016 look was just about being "sexy." It was actually a mess. If you look at high-resolution images of Harley Quinn Suicide Squad, you’ll notice her makeup isn’t perfect. It’s smeared. Alessandro Bertolazzi, the makeup designer, actually won an Oscar for this work. He used to say he "destroyed" her face because Margot Robbie is so naturally beautiful. He’d literally throw pigment at her to make it look lived-in.
Then there are the tattoos. You’ve probably noticed the "Lucky You" across her stomach or the "Puddin" on her leg. Most of those are supposed to look like they were done in a prison cell with a homemade needle. They aren’t professional art; they’re scars of her obsession.
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- The Hair: Those pigtails aren't just pink and blue. They’re "pastel-dipped."
- The Jacket: It says "Property of Joker" on the back. This is a huge plot point that changes in later images.
- The Gun: She uses a customized Chiappa Rhino 60DS. It has gold inlay and a "Love/Hate" cylinder.
The 2021 Rebrand: Red, Black, and More Leather
Fast forward to James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad in 2021. The images changed completely. Gone were the tiny shorts. Instead, we got a Harley that looked more like her Batman: The Animated Series roots. We’re talking full red and black leather.
Gunn actually listened to fan feedback—and Margot Robbie herself. They wanted something more practical for a "war zone." The 2021 images of Harley Quinn Suicide Squad show her in a biker-style outfit with "Live Fast, Die Clown" emblazoned on the back. It’s a total 180 from the "Property of Joker" jacket.
You might also remember the red dress. It’s this massive, tiered chiffon gown she wears during the escape from the palace. It’s iconic because she fights an entire army in it while carrying a javelin. In those specific photos, she’s covered in flowers and blood. It’s a very different type of visual than the 2016 look. It feels more like a fairy tale gone wrong.
The Missing Photos You Never Saw
Did you know there’s a deleted scene where Harley wears a wedding dress? It’s true. A behind-the-scenes photo leaked years ago showing Margot in a tattered bridal gown. It was supposed to be a hallucination scene from the first movie. It’s one of the rarest images of Harley Quinn Suicide Squad out there. It really shows how much they experimented with her "broken" psyche.
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Another thing: the "Rotten" tattoo. James Gunn actually removed it for the 2021 movie because Robbie didn't like it. If you compare side-by-side shots, her face is much "cleaner" in the newer films.
Why the 2016 Visuals Won the Internet
Despite the 2021 movie being better reviewed, the 2016 images are the ones that went viral. It’s the color palette. Red and blue pop way more on a phone screen than red and black.
The DIY aesthetic of the original movie felt accessible. Anyone could grab a baseball bat and some hair dye and "be" Harley. The leather suits of the later movies feel like "movie costumes." The 2016 look felt like something a chaotic person might actually put together.
Also, let's talk about the bat. The "Good Night" baseball bat is probably the most photographed movie prop of the last decade. It’s covered in scribbled nursery rhymes. If you zoom in on high-quality images, you can actually read her ramblings. It’s super creepy once you realize what’s actually written on there.
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Actionable Tips for Identifying "The Real Harley"
If you're looking for authentic images of Harley Quinn Suicide Squad for a project or a costume, keep these details in mind to avoid the "knock-off" look:
- Check the Tattoos: In 2016, she has "Property of Joker." By 2021, she’s changed it to "Property of No One."
- Look at the Boots: The 2016 boots are high-heeled Adidas. Most cheap costumes get this wrong and use flat sneakers.
- The Choker: The original says "PUDDIN." It’s gold and chunky. In later movies, she drops the choker entirely as she moves away from the Joker.
- Makeup Smealing: Authentic set photos show the blue and pink eyeshadow dripping down her cheeks, not perfectly contained on the eyelid.
Essentially, the visual history of Harley Quinn in these movies is a story of her getting her independence back. The images start with her labeled as someone else's property and end with her looking like a princess-warrior who doesn't need a "Puddin" to be interesting.
If you're hunting for high-res references, search for "Clay Enos Suicide Squad photography." He was the set photographer and took the most famous shots of Margot in character. His photos have a lighting and texture that you just won't find in screenshots from the trailer.
The best way to appreciate these visuals is to look for the "imperfections." The chipped nail polish, the messy hair, and the smeared lipstick—that’s where the character actually lives.