Cinema is a form of visual art, and every art form has its own guidelines to capture and express its essence, serving as a source of inspiration for years to come. This is especially true for comic book adaptations in films, where fans often debate the casting changes as veteran stars make way for newcomers. However, it may have been a first when Joker: Folie à Deux decided to replace Margot Robbie's beloved Harley Quinn with Lady Gaga and yet, the anticipation was through the roof. 

Now that both actresses have portrayed Quinn on screen, let us weigh in who makes the better Harley for Joker and why.

Even with the sky-high excitement for Joker: Folie à Deux, Lady Gaga’s take on Harley Quinn or Harleen Quinzel does not quite measure up to the iconic Harley fans know despite the visible maturity. Besides being the ultimate comic book buzzkill, the gloomy perspective in Folie à Deux feels like a rehash of Joker, only unmatchable. Normally, Harley suffers at the hands of the clown-faced villain, but in this sequel, Lee flips the script on Joker, turning the whole dynamic upside down.

Even though Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn started in a rough spot in Suicide Squad, she still managed to channel Harley as the ultimate battered girlfriend, desperately trying to reunite with the Joker. She was one of the few things that actually hit the mark for the viewers in the film. Robbie infused the character with a spark, heart, and energy that went beyond the script, making James Gunn cleverly take a backseat and let Robbie take the wheel to navigate her character’s journey in Birds of Prey, becoming the Quinn of popular culture.

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Robbie herself is all for more actresses stepping into the shoes of the iconic villain, but if fans had to choose just one, the decision would be pretty obvious.

The world of Joker is a legendary realm filled with fantasy, and each film gives its own unique spin on this wild ride. One of Lady Gaga’s standout moments in Joker: Folie à Deux features her singing alongside Joaquin Phoenix in a fabulous ‘70s variety show setup. There is no denying that Gaga’s presence and powerful voice added a whole new level of magic to the musical. But she still played second fiddle to Joker, who belted out his tunes in a rather flat but loud way.

On the flip side, Margot Robbie’s unforgettable fantasy moment in The Suicide Squad sees Harley envisioning herself as a Disney princess while gleefully slaughtering guards trying to restrain her. Robbie’s Harley was not confined to a narrow Joker storyline; instead, it allowed her to shine as the wild villain who complements Joker instead, paving the way for her to reprise the role thrice! Though Todd Phillips shared with Variety, his plans to reshape Harley’s comic book identity, it is hard to say whether Gaga’s version of Quinn will stick in everyone’s memories for years to come.

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Who do you think is the better Harley Quinn for Joker, Lady Gaga or Margot Robbie? Let us know in the comments below!