My Harley Quinn Fan Film Top 10!

Here it is – my definitive ranking of all the fan films featuring Harley Quinn that I’ve shared on this blog to date! Let’s begin with my Top 10 favorites …

Joker & Harley Quinn vs Deadpool & Domino (2015) promotional artwork

(1) Joker & Harley Quinn vs Deadpool & Domino (2015). Directed by Aaron Schoenke. Starring Amy Johnston as Harley Quinn. This episode [#16] of Bat in the Sun‘s web series Super Power Beat Down is fun, funny and action-packed! Aaron Schoenke is great as the Joker, as is Jason Marnocha as the voice of the Joker (which is a nod to Mark Hamill‘s animated version of the character). Tatiana DeKhtyar is awesome as Domino, too! I would love to see a fan film or web series with her, alone, as Domino. But, best of all …

Amy Johnston as Harley Quinn in Joker & Harley Quinn vs Deadpool & Domino (2015)

This film has stunt actress Amy Johnston as Harley Quinn! You can’t argue with that! Yes, I might be a little biased because I love everything that Johnston has done as both a stunt double and an actress! Check out all my posts on this bad-ass beauty (here). I’m hoping that, one day, she’ll play Supergirl in a fan film or web series. She said, in an interview (here), that she “would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to” play Kara/Supergirl! Anyway …

Madeleine Wade as Harley Quinn in Sweet Madness (2015)

(2) Sweet Madness (2015). Written and directed by Peter Dukes. Starring Madeleine Wade as Harley Quinn. This film is such a well-written and well-acted crime thriller that, after a few more views, I had to move it into the #2 spot! Wade‘s delusional Harley is a delight, as is Micah Fitzgerald‘s Jack Nicholson-inspired Joker. However, I’m still not a big fan of this Harley’s make-up.

Harley Quinn (2015) promotional artwork

(3) Harley Quinn (2015). Written and directed by Matthew Talamantes. Starring Aly Fritz as Harley Quinn. This film’s grindhouse feel is very cool, and the action is violent and stylish. It’s almost as if Quentin Tarantino had directed a Harley Quinn fan film! Fritz‘s Harley gets pleasure from taunting Bossman and his men, as well as killing them! She is sexy, sarcastic, and so delightfully psychotic!

Tara Strand as Harley Quinn in Batgirl: Spoiled (2012-13)

(4) Batgirl: Spoiled – The Web Series (2012-13). Created and co-written by Sax Carr and Marisha Ray. Featuring Tara Strand as Harley Quinn. This awesome web series, starring Marisha Ray [who hosts Bat in the Sun‘s Super Power Beat Down] as the Stephanie Brown incarnation of Batgirl, was cut short during a crowd-funding campaign for its 3rd episode due to a take-down notice from Warner Bros. Bastards. Strand‘s Harley is the silly version who wears the old-school jester costume – and, she is so adorable! Watch: Episode 1 – “BLINDSIDE” and Episode 2 – “LITTLE LOST BAT(GIRL)”.

Constance Brenneman (left) as Dr. Harleen Quinzel in Batgirl Rises (2014-15)

(5) Batgirl Rises (2014-2015). Directed and co-written by Vincent Tran. Starring Lindsay Heath as Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl) and Constance Brenneman as Dr. Harleen Quinzel (aka Harley Quinn). This film, originally in two parts [Part 1 and Part 2] is as much about Harley Quinn’s origin as it is about Batgirl’s rise. Brenneman‘s Harleen is smart and cunning, but still driven by her desire to be with the Joker. We’re teased with a brief glimpse of Harley Quinn, as madness consumes Harleen, in the final frame. I hope Vincent Tran delivers more installments!

Sheridyn Fisher as Harley Quinn in Red Queen (2014)

(6) Red Queen – a Harley Quinn Inspired Fan Film (2014). Created by Sheridyn Fisher & Kerryn Williams. Starring Sheridyn Fisher as Harley Quinn. This film is a dark, surrealistic nightmare! I would love to see this creepy vision of the character expanded into a feature-length horror film!

Johanna Telander as Harley Quinn in Mr. J (2010)

(7) The Complete Mr. J (2010). Written and directed by Kim Santiago and Chris .R. Notarile. Starring Chris .R. Notarile as the Joker and Johanna Telander as Harley Quinn. This film chronicles the origin of Harley Quinn at the hands of Notarile‘s Heath Ledger-inspired Joker following the events of The Dark Knight (2008). It was originally created as a 4-part web series: Call Me Mr. J (Part I), Anything You Say Mr. J (Part II), Well Done Mr. J (Part III), and Sincerely Mr. J (Part IV). If you read this blog regularly, you know that I am a big fan of Chris .R. Notarile‘s work. He’s also a friend of this blog. So, stay tuned for an upcoming post on some recent Blinky Productions projects released since my previous post (here) as well as an older one that I didn’t mention in my first post (here).

Kristina Martin as Harley Quinn in Gotham City Sirens (2014)

(8) Gotham City Sirens (2014). Directed by Terrell Culbert. Starring Leez Nikollaj as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Kelly Kirstein as Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy and Kristina Martin as Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn. This film is really a showcase for Kirstein as Ivy, but I do love when Martin‘s psychotic Harley, who is sans New York accent, snaps and goes bat-shit crazy on the Riddler and Catwoman! Again, I’m excited for further installments.

Courtney Lynn as Harley Quinn in Harley Quinn – Web Series (2015).

(9) Harley Quinn – Web Series (2015). Directed by Brandon Champ Robinson. Starring Courtney Lynn as Harley Quinn. This web series, which offers a re-imagined vision of the character, was originally teased back in 2013 with Harley Quinn – Wait Til They Get A Load of Her featuring BOYS LiKE BRiTA!N as Harley Quinn. Watch: Ep. 1 – I Ain’t Weak and Ep. 2 – A New Leader. The 2nd episode was only just released on 8/12/2015.

Milina Di Bartolo as Harley Quinn in Harlequin – A Joker Fan Film (2009)

(10) Harlequin – A Joker Fan Film (2009). Written and directed by Cedric Sequerra. Starring Stephane Malka as the Joker and Milina Di Bartolo as Harley Quinn. This film is similar to Chris .R. Notarile‘s Mr. J (2010) in that it focuses on a Heath Ledger-inspired Joker who manipulates Dr. Harleen Quinzel into becoming Harley Quinn. And, much like Mr. J, criticism is abundant in the Youtube comments. The consensus seems to be that Ledger‘s iconic portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime can’t ever be matched, so why bother. If these films were major Hollywood productions, I might agree. However, these are fan films, and fan films are tributes – imitation is often kind of the point. If you think Heath Ledger‘s portrayal is too sacred even for fan films, then don’t watch them. Or make your own.

Speaking of Heath Ledger-inspired portrayals of the Joker …

While I was putting this post together, I stumbled upon a feature-length fan film that imagines the origin of Ledger‘s version of the Joker, before the events of The Dark Knight. It’s called Joker Rising (2013). This stunning film also (drastically) re-imagines Harley Quinn and flips her obsessive love for the Joker into his unconditional love for her, making DC Comics‘ greatest villain a kind of tragic anti-hero.

Joker Rising (2013) promotional artwork

Joker Rising was written, directed, edited and produced by Alek Gearhart. It was “shot over 8 days in early June 2013 for 3 grand.” Joker Rising is like Goodfellas (1990) as if produced by DC Comics. Or the Batman universe as seen through Martin Scorsese‘s vision. The film chronicles the life of Cyrus (Dylan Hobbs), a new hentchman for mobster Oswald (Bob Burhl). He is taken under the wing of seasoned hentchman Croc (Manuel Eduardo Ramirez). Cyrus is a stone-cold killer who never smiles until he, by chance, meets Harley (Katie Young), a hooker with a heart. However, Harley works for Riddles (Dominique Marsell) who also works for Oswald. Riddles doesn’t approve of Cyrus keeping his merchandise from making him money. Nor does Oswald. Eventually, Cyrus’s love for Harley, who is killed by Croc on Oswald’s order, forces his descent into vengeful madness as the Joker.

Watch the entire 83-minute film here …

My only complaint with this film is that the tear that Cyrus sheds over Croc having to kill a child lessens the impact of the tear the Joker sheds over Harley in the final frame. Otherwise, I love Joker Rising! Obviously, there was very little money involved in the making of this unique comic book adaptation, but a whole lot of filmmaker passion. And, since this post is about fan films featuring Harley Quinn …

Katie Young as Harley in Joker Rising (2013)

Katie Young is just delightful as Harley. Obviously, her character is not the Harley Quinn we all know and love, but it doesn’t matter. This Harley is just perfect for this gritty crime thriller. Young is a very talented young actress, and she is so adorable with shorter, dark hair …

Katie Young

Another unexpected delight in Joker Rising is Sara Nunez [aka Sarah Nunez] as Ivy. This Ivy is not a plant-loving eco-terrorist with green skin who uses plant toxins and pheromones as weapons. No, this Ivy is a bad-ass Mexican drug lord who uses guns as, well, weapons! More Ivy, please!

Joker Rising was planned as the first film of a trilogy. However, the sequels were unsuccessfully funded via an Indiegogo campaign (here) back in 2013, although a trailer for the 2nd film The City With Two Faces was produced (here). However, according to Croc himself (Manuel Eduardo Ramirez), a web series is now in the works. Ooh, he said they’ll be bringing Ivy back! Anticipation is building! Anyway …

Here’s the rest of the fan films featuring Harley Quinn (previously shared on this blog) …

Madness Comes in Pairs [A Harley Quinn Fan Film] (2014).

Smile: A Joke of Two Faces (2013).

Harley Quinn: Origins – The Prologue (2014).

Batman: Death Wish (2012).

Batman Series The Asylum (2013-14). Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, and Episode 5.

And, here’s a few more (not previously shared on this blog) …

Batman Fan Film- Just Joking (2014).

Dr. Harley Quinn (2015).

The Killing Grin – Teaser Trailer (2013).

Nightwing: Prodigal The Series (2014). Episode 1 – Take Back the Night. Episode 2 – Mad Love. Episode 3 – Riddle Me This. Episode 4 – Night of the Owls.

Now, I have to get that new post on Chris .R. Notarile‘s latest films finished!