With the new release of the film, "Suicide Squad" my newsfeed seems to endlessly be filled with Margot Robbie and her portrayal of the Joker’s infamous girlfriend, Harley Quinn. Though Harley Quinn has been a part of the DC comic world for many years, the film’s popularity has created a new level of stardom for this lady villain. But what is the attraction? If she’s been around, why is the character, her relationship with the Joker, and her sexuality suddenly becoming so prominent on social media and pop culture? (Side note: My guess is the Joker and Harley Quinn will be the number one couple costume of 2016).

The new film romanticizes the unlikely partnership, revealing a side to the Joker that is both enduring and courageous. It would appear as though he would risk life and limb to bring his love back to him, creating the perfect bad-guy-gone-good figure for women to fantasize about. But what is actually hidden under this facade of a romance is a tortured woman in an abusive relationship.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Harley Quinn was once a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum assigned to the Joker. Somewhere between his violent outbursts and smooth-talking she fell in love with the notorious “Clown Prince of Crime." As many women do, she blinded herself to what she didn’t want to see and fell in love with what she chose to see. After helping him escape from the asylum she gave up her life, and herself, to be with him. Beyond changing her name and exchanging her career for a life of crime, Harley submerged herself into a pit of acid to change her skin white, just like her “puddin's”; not only mentally changing who she was, but physically becoming another person.

Within the comic series, the Joker is not the romantic die-hard that is represented in the latest film, but a manipulative, abusive spouse. He beats Harley and discredits her at any chance he gets, even to the point of chaining her up to beat her, reminding her she isn’t the first "Harley" and she won’t be the last. Through it all she keeps trying, attempting to impress him through ruthless crimes and merciless murders. At the end of the day, though, nothing she does is enough.

This story is no different than the story of countless women who endure abusive partners. Focusing on that one thing that made us love him, we are blinded to all the harm they are doing to ourselves. We change ourselves to please them. We say sorry when it's not our fault. And we keep trying because the fantasy of what “could be” is easier to believe than the reality of “what is." Why do women love Harley Quinn? Because we see ourselves in her. We relate to the sacrifices she’s made and the pain of loving someone who doesn’t love you back. The one good day makes up the hundred bad. No one actually wants a love like the Joker and Harley, but we want a happy ending for them because if they can do it, maybe we can have a happy ending too.