WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the first three episodes of Peacemaker, streaming now on HBO Max.
In the DC Extended Universe, Viola Davis' Amanda Waller has easily been the most sinister villain around. She's all about brains over brawn, conniving and controlling in ways that not even Lex Luthor could, making her more dangerous than your average physical threat. It's why Bruce Wayne has been skeptical of her work with ARGUS, understanding she could be a danger to the Justice League. However, as bulletproof as she's been, Peacemaker has revealed Waller has a shocking weakness.
This came with the bombshell she has a daughter, Leota, working with ARGUS and spying on Peacemaker to ensure he stays in line, while also keeping an eye on other operatives. Now, it's not that no one expects villains not to have families; it's just that Waller never seemed like the kind to do so.
In the comics and cartoons, she cut a lone wolf figure outside of using pawns for Task Force X, which is why it was welcomed to see her this cutthroat, cold and isolated in terms of emotions on the big screen. All that changed, though, when she displayed a vulnerable side speaking to Leota over a video call. Waller cared and wanted her daughter to excel, actually coming off like a mom and not a ruthless boss.
As refreshing as it was to see her so human, this is a massive flaw based on the game she plays, how she talks and the way she walks. After all, Waller used daughters as leverage to blackmail Deadshot and Bloodsport into leading various iterations of the Suicide Squad, making this new revelation even more sadistic.
She's downright hypocritical, and this secret can become a weapon against Waller. Imagine if an enemy or freed Suicide Squad member found out. If they did, they could use Leota to their advantage, especially as Leota has a family of her own. Even the Dark Knight may use this as an equalizer, bringing Waller down off her throne.
It's the perfect kryptonite because with Waller loving and trusting someone, she's not the invincible queen folks thought. It has all been a front, and with the number of people she's crossed, it's something she desperately needs to keep under wraps. After all, Flo turned on her, knocking her out in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad and then taking over the Corto Maltese mission remotely, so Waller cannot afford for the roster to see her in this light.
She needs to represent strength and a frigid attitude where lives are nothing more than numbers on charts. However, once the most important life she is responsible for is in danger, fear will course through Waller's veins and make her not just sympathetic as a mom, but as a symbol who seemed infallible when it came to domestic security.
To see Leota as Waller's weakness, Peacemaker is streaming now on HBO Max.