‘Birds of Prey’ on HBO: God Bless Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Awkward Huntress

My absolute favorite part of Birds of Prey—which debuts on HBO tonight at 8 p.m. ET—wasn’t when Harley Quinn lost her bacon-egg-and-cheese, or when she did her Marylin Monroe number, or when Rosie Perez revealed she used to date Ali Wong, though those were all very good parts. No, my favorite part was when Mary Elizabeth Winstead awkwardly told Jurnee Smollett-Bell, “Um, I really like how you were able to kick so high in those tight pants.”

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)—the DC superhero film directed by Cathy Yan, all about the Joker’s ex-girlfriend, Harley Quinn—was at its best when it highlighted its ensemble of awesome anti-hero ladies. There was Margot Robbie as Harley, of course, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Perez as Renee Montoya, and Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain. But Winstead as Huntress might just be the best of the best.

As a super-skilled marksman who’s good with a crossbow, Huntress is an undeniable badass. But in Winstead’s hands, she’s also adorably socially inept. She has “rage issues,” though she denies it, thanks to her tragic backstory as an orphaned daughter of a notorious mob boss. After witnessing the slaughter of her entire family, she trained to become an assassin. But she never trained in the art of social interaction, apparently. Before she revenge-murdered her family’s killers in cold blood, she painstakingly practiced her speech in the mirror. I mean, isn’t that just precious? Like, in a horrifying way? And despite all of her terrifying murder weapons and her terrifying murder glare, she still can’t get people to refer to her by her cool nickname. Honestly, relatable.

Winstead, who played another awkward emo queen in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World—aka Ramona Flowers—delivers all of the above flawlessly. Her comedic style is restrained. The quips are never flashy or over the top, but always perfectly timed. In her capable hands, Huntress is almost childlike. The quiet joy on her face when she realizes she’s found a group of friends makes you want to swoop her up in your arms and protect her, despite the fact that she might stab you in the back with a dagger if you did. Also, not for nothing, but Winstead looks amazing in that leather crop-top.

Birds of Prey may end up being one of the highest-grossing films of 2020 (about $201.9 million at the worldwide box office), thanks to the pandemic-related theater shut-downs. Sure, Birds of Prey may technically already be a spin-off of a spin-off—from Batman to Suicide Squad—but I think one of the most successful films of the year deserves another spin-off, right? Right. What I’m saying is that Waner Bros. should totally make a Huntress spin-off starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead just trying and failing to have conversations like a normal human being. (And also maybe figuring out her purpose in life now that she’s killed everyone who killed her family, but that’s less important than showcasing Winstead’s awkward humor.) Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

Where to watch Birds of Prey