Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special

TV review by Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media
Harley Quinn Problematic Valentine's Day: Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy face each other lovingly against a background with a tall Gotham city tower.

Common Sense says

age 16+

Sex, violence, and surprising sweetness in animated special.

HBO Max Comedy 2023
Rate TV

Parents say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Kids say

age 18+

Based on 1 review

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate tv
  • Harley Quinn Problematic Valentine's Day: Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn stand facing each other while talking in front of a gray wall and closed window.
  • Harley Quinn Problematic Valentine's Day: A closeup of Harley Quinn in which she's giving an evil-looking side-eye.
  • Harley Quinn Problematic Valentine's Day: Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy stand together on a grand balcony draped with curtains and lit up with gold light.

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special is a special from the adult animated series Harley Quinn. In the special, Harley and her girlfriend Poison Ivy celebrate their first Valentine's Day together. Both sexual content and violence is in line with the series: minor characters are suddenly and bloodily killed in silly and surreal scenes; a giant-sized character destroys buildings by having sex with them; a sex scene releases the inhibitions of crowds of people and we see cartoon butts thrusting and implied oral sex; two sex workers beat and humiliate a client. Language is frequent: "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," and so on. Characters drink at dinners and gatherings.

Community Reviews

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Supervillains-turned-reluctant-heroes Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) and Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) fell in love over three seasons of Harley's adult animated show, and HARLEY QUINN: A VERY PROBLEMATIC VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL finds Harley determined to give her girlfriend the greatest Valentine's Day she's ever had. But when a dinner plan goes awry and Bane (James Adomian) begins inadvertently destroying the city in his quest for love, Harley's plans are spoiled. Can these heroines find a way to see eye to eye when Gotham is falling apart?

Is It Any Good?

Zany, raunchy, and liberally studded with DC Easter eggs for fans and unexpected heart, this holiday special is a notable treat. Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special's magic lies in the sweetness that underlies some pretty adult jokes, including Clayface (Alan Tudyk) getting bisected by a nemesis and then falling in love with his own anthropomorphized butt. Needless to say, the romance doesn't thrive, nor does the path of Harley's big plans for Ivy's V-Day run smooth.

In between these stories, delightful interstitials star super-couples like Hawkman (Tyler James Williams) and Hawkgirl (Quinta Brunson), who hilariously explain how they got together. This is the source of most of the great fan-service jokes. "We kept on being murdered and reincarnated," says Hawkman, "And 5,000 year later, we're still together," finishes Hawkgirl. Even supervillains are finding love this Valentine's Day, with the Riddler (Jim Rash) taking the Clock King (Adomian) to a wine-and-painting party. It's all very silly and ridiculous, followed by a giant super-battle fueled by Bane's indomitable libido. But it's hard to deny the charm of a lover's wish to really blow her partner's mind, and that's where this special wisely puts most of its emotional energy. For a profane yet oddly touching mini-love story, DC fans could surely do worse.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about animated comedies like Harley Quinn. What kinds of things can an animated series offer viewers that a live-action series can't? Do you think animated comedies rely on more risqué behavior to please their audiences?

  • How does Harley Quinn use humor? Do you find it funny? What makes sensitive topics, such as sex or love, ripe for comedy? Can it ever go too far?

  • What do you think about the violence in this series? Is there any justification for the violent behavior of the characters? Do you believe series like this one desensitize viewers to violent images? Why or why not?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate