Suicide Squad (2016) โ Review
Director: David Ayer
Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman
Genre: Action / Crime / Superhero
Runtime: 123 minutes
Overview
Suicide Squad is a chaotic, high-energy DC film that brings together some of the universeโs most notorious villains for a dangerous government mission. The story follows a team of criminalsโDeadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), and othersโwho are forced by ruthless government official Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) to complete a deadly black-ops mission in exchange for reduced prison sentences.
Despite a killer premise and strong performances (especially from Robbie and Smith), the film suffers from messy editing, tonal inconsistencies, and an underwhelming villain. However, it remains an entertaining, visually striking ride with a standout soundtrack.
Plot Summary
A Team of Villains
After Supermanโs death, Amanda Waller assembles a squad of criminals to handle high-risk threats. The team, led by military officer Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), includes elite hitman Deadshot, the unpredictable Harley Quinn, fire-wielding Diablo, Captain Boomerang, Killer Croc, and Enchantress (a sorceress who becomes the main antagonist).
Mission Gone Wrong
Their first mission takes them to Midway City, where a supernatural entityโEnchantress (Cara Delevingne) and her resurrected brotherโthreaten to destroy the world. As the squad fights through waves of enemies, tensions rise, especially with Joker (Jared Leto) attempting to rescue Harley.
Final Showdown
Despite betrayals and losses, the squad unites to take down Enchantress. Diablo sacrifices himself, and Deadshot makes the final shot to defeat her. Though victorious, Waller ensures they remain under her control, setting up potential future missions.
Themes & Analysis
1. Antiheroes & Redemption
The film explores whether villains can be heroes, as characters like Deadshot and Diablo show moral depth despite their crimes.
2. Government Control & Manipulation
Amanda Wallerโs cold-blooded tactics highlight the blurred lines between heroism and villainy in government power plays.
3. Chaos & Loyalty
Harley Quinnโs toxic relationship with Joker and the squadโs reluctant camaraderie drive much of the filmโs emotional conflict.
Performances & Direction
- Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn): A scene-stealer, delivering an unpredictable, fun, and layered performance.
- Will Smith (Deadshot): Brings charisma and emotional depth, adding a strong presence to the film.
- Viola Davis (Amanda Waller): Ruthless and commanding, she perfectly embodies Wallerโs manipulative nature.
- Jared Leto (Joker): A divisive take on the characterโsome found it unique, while others felt it was over-the-top and unnecessary.
David Ayerโs direction had potential, but studio interference led to inconsistent pacing, awkward tonal shifts, and heavy reliance on pop music.
Criticism & Weaknesses
- Messy Editing: The filmโs inconsistent pacing and awkward scene transitions hurt the storytelling.
- Weak Villain: Enchantress lacks depth and feels more like a CGI-driven obstacle than a compelling antagonist.
- Underdeveloped Joker: Despite marketing hype, Joker has minimal screen time and feels disconnected from the main plot.
- Forced Humor & Pop Songs: Some jokes fall flat, and the overuse of licensed music disrupts the filmโs flow.
Final Thoughts
Suicide Squad had all the ingredients for a great antihero film but ultimately fell short due to studio meddling and uneven execution. Still, Margot Robbieโs Harley Quinn and the filmโs stylish action make it a fun, if flawed, popcorn flick.
