Queers find this movie problematic

Birds of Prey, Black Mask, and Queer-Coded Villains

For a mostly progressive film, Birds of Prey's choice to queer code villains Roman Sionis and Victor Zsasz is an odd and problematic one.

The term "queerbaiting" refers to the practice of hinting at queer relationships without ever confirming them onscreen, in order to draw in a queer audience without alienating those who vehemently oppose LGBTQ inclusion. It’s yet another way to toy with queer audiences, and when looking online for discussion of whether Black Mask is gay, there are just as many fans showing frustration that they were misled by the marketing and this interview as there are those picking up on the cues in McGregor’s performance. Considering the other recent poor attempts at representation from tentpole franchises like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Avengers: Endgame, Birds of Prey can feel like just another entry in a list that’s far too long.

Considering how there’s more straightforward representation in the film, like Rosie Perez’s Renee Montoya and her ex played by Ali Wong, queer coding feels incredibly regressive. Why would DCEU continue to engage in queer coding when they’re clearly willing to bring a canonically LGBTQ character from the comics to life on the big screen? And on that note, wither Harley Quinn’s comics-canon bisexuality? Save for the quick reference to an ex-girlfriend in the opening animation sequence, which could easily be cut for foreign markets, there’s no on-screen mention of it, or her longtime girlfriend Pam Isley AKA Poison Ivy.

While it might seem like keeping Zsasz and Sionis’s sexuality unspoken is more politically correct, since it would be better than having a pair of gay villains, the reality is more complex. As written, costumed and performed, the pair are clearly queer, as evidenced by how many critics and audience members have picked up on the vibe, so simply not labelling what’s right there on the screen feels a bit gutless on the part of Birds of Prey.