More Laughs, More Mayhem, and Zero Apologies

Read Time:4 Minute, 59 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Harley Quinn – Season 05
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Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 10 x 20m episodes
Creator(s): Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, Dean Lorey
Cast: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, James Adomian, Diedrich Bader, Ron Funches, Stephen Fry, Natalie Morales, JB Smoove, Alan Tudyk, Aisha Tyler
Where To Watch: premiered January 16, 2025, followed by one new episode weekly through March 20 on Max

RAVING REVIEW: Yet again, HARLEY QUINN comes out fists swinging; another fantastic season solidifies this as one of the best adult series ever. It doesn’t just shake up its setting—it flips the whole table. The move from Gotham’s chaos to Metropolis’s gleaming utopia isn’t just a backdrop swap; it’s a full-blown identity crisis in the best way possible. This season, with razor-sharp humor, relentless energy, and a whole new city to destroy (metaphorically… mostly), proves why this series remains one of the best.

The new setting isn’t just a glow-up—it’s a battlefield of tone, style, and ideology. Gotham’s dark alleyways have always been a natural home for the show’s brand of mayhem, but Metropolis? That’s Superman’s spotless, hero-friendly turf. It’s all so clean and bright, too… organized. Dropping Harley and Ivy into this pristine world is like letting loose a pack of wild hyenas at a corporate brunch. They don’t fit, and that’s exactly what makes it so damn fun. The art direction leans into this contrast beautifully, with the city’s crisp lines and serene skyline clashing against the duo’s unhinged antics.

And, oh boy, the shenanigans. This show has always known how to walk the tightrope between high-stakes storytelling and absolute absurdity, and this season is no exception. Harley’s evolution remains front and center—she’s no longer just trying to outrun her past but figuring out who she wants to be next. Ivy’s arc also deepens, exploring power, influence, and the ever-messy world of villain-turned-hero dynamics. The chemistry between these two remains electric, equal parts chaotic and tender, with a side of mutual destruction.

Then, of course, there’s the supporting cast, who refuse to be outshined. Clayface’s wildly misguided career? Bane’s unexpected journey into the arts? These aren’t just side jokes—they’re sharp, well-crafted subplots that poke fun at superhero clichés while giving these characters more to do than just hang around as comic relief. Even the villains get a glow-up this season. Brainiac enters the mix as a perfect foil, blending intellect, control, and enough comedic self-awareness to fit seamlessly into this world. Meanwhile, Lena Luthor reminds everyone that power doesn’t just exist in super-fists and laser eyes—sometimes, it’s in corporate boardrooms and backroom deals.

And let’s talk about the voice cast because they continue to bring their A-game. Kaley Cuoco’s Harley is pure, unpredictable magic, capturing every manic giggle, every bad decision, and every rare, vulnerable moment with absolute precision. Lake Bell’s Ivy remains the perfect contrast—cool and calculated but never too composed to get pulled into the madness (almost.) Their performances drive this season just as much as the writing does.

What truly sets this series apart is its consistency—five seasons in, and it still fires on all cylinders without a hint of slowing down. So many long-running shows, especially in animation, start strong but fizzle out, either losing their edge or getting weighed down by repetition. But here? Every episode takes the energy level to eleven, every joke lands, and every character remains as sharp, layered, and unpredictable as ever. The writing refuses to take the easy road, constantly evolving its humor, themes, and relationships while staying true to its rebellious heart. The animation remains bold and expressive, packing each frame with energy that never lets up. It’s one of the most consistently brilliant series, never sacrificing quality or identity as it grows.

This season proves that reinvention doesn’t have to mean losing what makes something great. It takes risks, shakes things up, and throws its characters into the deep end just to see what happens—and it works. There’s an art to creating chaos that feels intentional, and this series has mastered it. Five seasons in, it still finds ways to surprise, entertain, and, most importantly, make us laugh at the absolute absurdity of it all. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or are just jumping in now, buckle up—this ride isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

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[photo courtesy of MAX]

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