Birds of Prey, written by Christina Hodson and directed by Cathy Yan, brings a new and chaotic energy to the DCEU. Set in a new offshoot of the rapidly branching WB movies, it recenters Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn in her own adventure with some new friends. An all-female superhero team (plus a hyena) takes on Ewan McGregor’s Black Mask for control of Gotham.
Birds was a big swing for WB (including the title (which I love but is definitely not for everybody)). And part of that swing was promising something radically different from most of what has come before in the superhero genre on either side of the WB-Marvel aisle.
Know What the Audience Wants
Two high points, the police station assault and circus showdown, pop with style and kinetic, over-the-top action. This particular kind of personality you won’t find in any other superhero movie right now.
But that’s also exactly why people came to see the movie. It’s what was promised in the advertising. It’s what you expect when the movie’s built around Harley Quinn. These scenes are exciting and interesting and fresh. They satisfy, because they align expectation with result.
And this is true of most great movies – the parts where they sing are the parts where they deliver on the promise of their concept and give us the thing that we’ve been wanting.
Apply to Your Own Work
As your outlining or rewriting, consider your genre. Why do people watch it? There’s a lesson in the many A24 Horror movies that advertise one kind of experience and then deliver a very different one. Either one works, but know which one you’re promising to the reader.
Also think about what in your movie would make you pay 12 bucks to see it at a theater. (Assuming theaters ever open again). Then make sure you’re delivering precisely that.
Do you want to be scared? Thrilled? Gripped by mystery? Entertained by outrageous action? Intrigued by complicated and compelling characters? Whatever kind of story you’re telling, there’s a main reason someone will want to see your movie. They want a certain kind of experience – and it’s on you to know when to deliver it.
So take some time and really think about what movie you’re telling, and whether you’re giving us the right kind of good stuff.