Even those who are not avid comic readers know that the relationship that the Joker and Harley Quinn shared was not exactly a healthy one. In fact, it had been painted to be physically and emotionally abusive. But in a time like 2016, there is awareness in relationship abuse victims and the dark reality behind those who suffer. Instead of Suicide Squad portraying Joker/Harley as the dysfunctional, abusive couple as they once were, I definitely believe that it was instead reinvented to be a more dominant/submissive BDSM like relationship between the two. First of all, starting with Harley Quinn's outfit. Harley Quinn has always been very revealing and suggestive, so it's not new that Harley's character was represented as sexy. But Harley's outfit consisted of a "Daddy's Lil' Monster" baseball tee and gold PUDDIN' collar, which gives off a submissive vibe.

There was also a moment during the movie that the Joker asked Harley if she would "die for him" or even worse, "live for him". This was right before he mentioned to Harley that desire equals surrender, and surrender equals power, entertaining the thought that there can be submission in dominance and dominance in submission. In the Suicide Squad novelization, after Harley flung herself into the churning chemical bath, Joker stated:

"What is this? I feel something. Pain? Maybe. Food poisoning? That's a possibility. Love? Impossible. No way. That could never happen."

After assessing the pain in his chest as indeed being the feeling of love, he flung himself into the bubbling chemicals to rescue Harley without a second thought. This leads me to believe even more that their relationship is being represented differently, solidifying the idea that the Joker does in fact need Harley to complete himself.

During the whole movie, Joker had a plan to be reunited with his Harley and drastic measures were made in order to succeed in doing so. This also hints that the Joker seems vulnerable to Harley, seemingly making their relationship not so one sided as far as reciprocating feelings of romance.

There was also a scene where the Joker was lying drunk on the floor, circled by knives, guns, and ... onesies? Could this also be hinting towards something?

Anyway, if the director, David Ayer, really did choose to reinvent Mr. J's relationship with Harley, I applaud. Of course if this is the case, there will be people out there saying that this changes the whole aspects of their characters in the comics, but I disagree. I don't believe that a tweek like this would necessarily do the entire basis of character development drastic harm. In fact, I'd much rather see their characters reinvented to share this kind of relationship; one that doesn't paint Harley to be such a blind, naive woman. Suicide Squad was so greatly anticipated because of the character Harley Quinn and with rumors of her character getting her own origin movie, I think this is a great opportunity to reinvent her relationship with the Joker and further empowering her character.

But if my theory is correct, I could see why die hard fans would be very disappointed with the change considering it's definitely not how they were represented in the comics.

But Dr. Harleen Quinzel herself said, “There are only two circumstances under which a person disregards the rules of society. When they commit a crime, or when they're in love”