---
title: "Suicide Squad"
year: 2016
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/suicide-squad"
fi1m_id: "suicide-squad"
imdb_id: "tt1386697"
tmdb_id: 297761
wikidata_id: "Q18604504"
fi1m_score: 41
critics_score: 42
critics_reviews: 28
published: "2026-10-10T18:54:14.937588+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-10T18:54:15.507768+00:00"
region: "EC"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Suicide Squad (2016)

Directed by David Ayer · 2h 02m · Action, Adventure, Fantasy

## Identity

Suicide Squad

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/suicide-squad
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** suicide-squad
- **IMDb ID:** tt1386697
- **TMDB ID:** 297761
- **Wikidata ID:** Q18604504
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1386697/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/297761, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18604504

**Fi1m score: 41** · Critics 42 from 28 reviews

*In a sentence:* Twelve criminals, a neck bomb each and a soundtrack that never stops; only Margot Robbie seems to know why she is there

> Viola Davis, Margot Robbie and Will Smith arrive ready to make a nasty, funny film about bad people. David Ayer gives them a witch, a hole in the sky and a pop song every two minutes, and loses all three in the noise.

## Synopsis

Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), a government intelligence officer, wants an insurance policy against the next superhuman who turns up. She pitches a team of convicted supervillains pulled from their cells, a bomb injected into each neck, and a mission nobody will thank them for. Her picks include Deadshot (Will Smith), a hitman who never misses and wants to see his daughter; Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), a former psychiatrist turned girlfriend of the Joker (Jared Leto); and June Moone (Cara Delevingne), an archaeologist carrying an ancient witch that Waller keeps in check by holding its heart in a briefcase. Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) is put in charge of the lot of them. When a city is evacuated, the squad is flown in to extract a target Waller will not name.

## Review

The idea is sound and about fifty years old. Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), a government fixer, wants a team of jailed supervillains she can send where soldiers cannot go, with a bomb in each of their necks in case they get ideas. David Ayer writes and directs, and for the first twenty minutes he looks like the right man for it. The early scenes in the prison, with guards taunting prisoners through bars and Roman Vasyanov lighting the cells a sodium orange, have a dirty, close feel. Then the squad is sent into the city, and the film goes with them.

Davis is the best thing here and it is not close. She plays Waller as a woman who has never raised her voice because she has never needed to, cutting into her dinner while she tells a table of generals that the witch she keeps on a leash will do as she is told. There is no music under her first scene and none needed. We believed every word, and we were a little afraid of her, which is more than the film ever manages with its actual villain.

Margot Robbie and Will Smith come next. Robbie’s Harley Quinn is introduced hanging upside down from a sheet in her cell, and she plays the part as a woman who finds everything funny, with an accent that comes and goes and a baseball bat that does not. Kate Hawley dresses her in a bomber jacket, hot pants and a T-shirt with a slogan, and she wears it as though she chose it herself. Smith’s Deadshot is a hitman with a daughter, and the scene in which he is handed a pistol in the prison yard and empties it into a target without looking is the one time the film is as good as its trailer. We sat up for that scene. We did not sit up again.

Jared Leto’s Joker is the problem the marketing could not hide. He has silver teeth, a forehead tattoo and a laugh that sounds rehearsed in a bathroom mirror, and he appears in flashbacks and on the edges of the plot, where the film uses him as the reason Harley is the way she is. The romance between them is played as a grand love story and it is, on the evidence of what we are shown, a man breaking a woman for sport. Ayer films it in neon and slow motion. We were embarrassed, then uneasy, and the film seemed not to notice either.

The structure is where it falls apart. Michael Tronick and John Gilroy introduce every character twice, once in the prison and once from Waller’s folder with a caption and a pop song, so that by the time anyone does anything we have had the same information in two formats. Steven Price’s score is in there somewhere, under a jukebox that changes track every two minutes. Once the squad lands, Vasyanov shoots the city in rain the colour of a wet pavement, the enemy is an army of men with heads like burnt popcorn, and Oliver Scholl’s subway station and hotel lobby are fought through in a way that makes them hard to tell apart. The threat in the sky, when it comes, is a column of swirling rubble. We were bored by it, and we have seen that column before.

The genre is the men-on-a-mission film, and that kind of film works when the mission is clear and the team has time to hate each other. Here the mission is a lie Waller tells, the hatred is a line apiece, and Jai Courtney’s Boomerang, Jay Hernandez’s Diablo and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Killer Croc each get one story and a close-up. Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag is given the job of shouting at them. Cara Delevingne’s June Moone becomes the Enchantress, and the Enchantress gets a hip-swaying dance and a voice that sounds as though it was recorded in a tin.

Most critics landed near where we have, and the few who enjoyed it enjoyed Robbie, which we understand. If an hour of her doing gymnastics in a cell and ten minutes of Davis at dinner are enough for an evening, there is that, and the 15 certificate is honestly earned. The tagline promises the worst heroes ever. They are not even the worst thing in the film.

*Fi1m score 41, published 10 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Suicide Squad a disappointment, and the reviews agree with unusual consistency on where the trouble lies. Nineteen of the twenty-eight are negative, and even those who enjoy it describe a story that is overstuffed, muddled and oddly dull once the opening introductions give way to the plot. The praise clusters almost entirely on the cast: Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is singled out in review after review as the one element that works, with Viola Davis’s Amanda Waller and Will Smith’s Deadshot close behind.

The complaints settle on the villain, which several reviews call forgettable, and on a Joker who is either underused or, for The New Yorker, actively embarrassing. The spread is wide. Time Out dissents most sharply, finding a punky energy that most others miss, and Empire and Deadline find it entertaining on its own terms. A few reviews also raise concerns about the handling of Harley Quinn’s abusive relationship.

## Straight answers

**Is Suicide Squad worth watching?**

*Suicide Squad* is not worth an evening for most people, and we scored it 41. Viola Davis is quietly frightening as Amanda Waller and Margot Robbie is good company as Harley Quinn, but David Ayer buries both under a pop song every two minutes and a climax of swirling rubble we have seen before. Watch it only if those two performances are enough on their own.

**How long is Suicide Squad, and what is it rated?**

*Suicide Squad* runs 2h 02m. It is an action and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Suicide Squad in Ecuador?**

*Suicide Squad* is streaming on HBO Max in Ecuador. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Suicide Squad, and is it suitable for children?**

*Suicide Squad* carries a UK 15 certificate, which we think is honestly earned, and it is not for children. The violence is constant if cartoonish, the enemy is an army with heads like burnt popcorn, and the Joker's treatment of Harley Quinn plays as a man breaking a woman for sport, which unsettled us more than any monster. Older teenagers will cope; the squeamish will not enjoy it.

**What should I watch after Suicide Squad?**

After *Suicide Squad*, try [*Escape from New York*](https://film.one/film/escape-from-new-york) (1981, Fi1m 76): A criminal with a bomb in his neck sent into a ruined city; done in ninety minutes. Then [*Battle Royale*](https://film.one/film/battle-royale) (2000, Fi1m 83): Japanese schoolchildren with explosive collars, and a film that means every one of them; and [*Guardians of the Galaxy*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy) (2014, Fi1m 80): A gang of crooks and a jukebox soundtrack, with the jokes actually landing.

### Reviews we read (28)

- **Little White Lies**, Adam Woodward (3/5/3): Woodward finds the film flawed but enjoyable as uncomplicated, silly entertainment, while criticizing its undercooked story and uneven tone. He praises its female characters, particularly Viola Davis’s Amanda Waller and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/suicide-squad)
- **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (4/5): The critic presents the film as a rude antidote to dull superheroics. The review singles out its punky energy as a refreshing change of pace. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/suicide-squad)
- **Empire**, Dan Jolin (65/100, inferred): Jolin finds the film entertaining and a welcome boost for DC, despite a scrappy edit and a weak central threat. He particularly praises Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, whose performance repeatedly steals the show. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/suicide-squad-review/)
- **Total Film**, Jamie Graham (3/5): Graham finds the film starts with promise but becomes bland, and judges it an underwhelming, overmanaged take on unruly antiheroes. He singles out Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn as the film’s brightest and most anarchic element. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/suicide-squad-review/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (45/100, inferred): Turan finds the film caught between its energetic premise and a muddled, routine plot. He praises the opening character introductions, especially Deadshot, while faulting the story for giving the squad too little compelling to do. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-suicide-squad-review-20160801-snap-story.html)
- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (D+): Ehrlich judges the film a muddled, disappointing failure that never commits to its promise of making its villains compelling. He praises Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn as a spellbinding, volatile performance, while faulting the weak antagonist and action sequences. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/suicide-squad-review-margot-robbie-batman-the-joker-1201712352/)
- **Radio Times**, Jeremy Aspinall (2/5): The critic finds the film underpowered as the launch of another comic-book franchise. The review singles out its disappointing execution despite a premise compared to The Dirty Dozen. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0qd2o8/suicide-squad/)
- **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (2/5): Ide finds the film overpopulated and underdeveloped, with a baffling villain and unconvincing effects. She praises Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn as a vivid, energetic presence. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/aug/07/suicide-squad-review-bad-film-margot-robbie-jared-leto)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film chaotic and ultimately disappointing. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is a standout amid the disorder. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/05/movies/suicide-squad-review-dc-comics.html)
- **Evening Standard**, Ellen E. Jones (30/100, inferred): Jones finds the film narratively hollow and unable to deliver the lively entertainment its marketing promises. She praises Margot Robbie’s energetic, nuanced performance as Harley Quinn, while criticizing the underused characters and weak plot. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/suicide-squad-film-review-bad-to-the-bone-a3312576.html)
- **Film Comment**, Michael Sragow (30/100, inferred): Sragow’s verdict is negative, arguing that David Ayer fails to make the rogues’ gallery work together. The standfirst singles out the ensemble’s lack of cohesion as the central complaint. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-suicide-squad/)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (30/100, inferred): The critic’s verdict is negative, arguing that the film has too much empty attitude. He singles out its excessive posturing as a central flaw. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/suicide-squad-review/5107132.article)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (30/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film a bleak, overstuffed disappointment that ultimately feels like more of the same. He praises the unsettling Joker and Harley Quinn performances, while criticizing the muddled story and the film’s failure to make its villains compelling. [Read](https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/suicide-squad-review-will-smith-joker-1201825911/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole (1/4): Cole finds the film constrained and unable to deliver the anarchic energy its premise promises. He particularly criticizes Enchantress as a forgettable antagonist and the Joker as a hollow plot device. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/suicide-squad/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (25/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film confused, increasingly dull, and unable to make its supervillain team work. He praises the promise of the opening character introductions and the cast, especially the livelier Harley Quinn and Joker. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/suicide-squad-movie-review-915825/)
- **The New Yorker**, Anthony Lane (20/100, inferred): Lane finds the film exhausting, hollow, and incoherent, with little fellowship among its characters. He praises Will Smith’s brief flashes of sharp dialogue, while criticizing Jared Leto’s performance as especially embarrassing. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/suicide-squad-reviewed)
- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (10/100, inferred): Edelstein finds the film’s storytelling muddled and its climactic action boring. He singles out Margot Robbie as a strong showcase, though he criticizes her accent and the film’s depiction of Harley Quinn’s romance. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2016/08/review-suicide-squad-is-deathly-unentertaining.html)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (65/100, inferred): Hammond finds the film entertaining on its own terms, though its story lacks gravitas and spark. He singles out Margot Robbie’s consistently watchable Harley Quinn, while noting the Joker is underused. [Read](https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-review-margot-robbie-will-smith-jared-leto-david-ayer-1201797250/)
- **The Playlist** (64/100, inferred): The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the accessible text. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/suicide-squad-morally-murky-villains-mildly-reluctant-heroes-satisfying-goals-review-20160802/)
- **Paste**, Michael Snydel (5.8/10): Snydel finds the film entertaining in moments but ultimately muddled and unsatisfying. He praises the appeal of Deadshot and Harley Quinn, while criticizing the overloaded story and inconsistent sense of purpose. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/suicide-squad)
- **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (2 out of 5): Lambie finds the film muddled and overstuffed, with its tangled plot and effects-heavy second half undermining the action. He praises the charisma and performances of Viola Davis, Margot Robbie, and Will Smith. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/suicide-squad-review-2/)
- **HeyUGuys** (2/5): The critic finds the film contrived and narratively convoluted, with too little substance beneath its style. Margot Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn is singled out as a bright spot. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/suicide-squad-review/)
- **The Skinny**, Joseph Walsh (★★): Walsh finds the film a hollow, crushingly dull addition to the franchise, weighed down by weak dialogue and an uninteresting story. He praises Margot Robbie’s energetic Harley Quinn performance, with Will Smith’s charm another bright spot. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/suicide-squad)
- **Digital Spy**, Rosie Fletcher (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film dull and disappointing despite calling it the best of the new DC films. Viola Davis’s forceful, morally uncompromising performance as Waller is singled out as its saving grace. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a803437/suicide-squad-review/)
- **The Wrap** (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film undercooked, overstuffed and boring, despite its talented cast. Viola Davis and Margot Robbie stand out, bringing force and vividness to characters the review says the film otherwise neglects. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/suicide-squad-review-dc-extended-universe/)
- **Consequence**, Dominick Suzanne-Mayer (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film overstuffed and tedious, ultimately less interesting than its parts suggest. Viola Davis’s restrained performance as Amanda Waller stands out amid the showier turns. [Read](https://consequence.net/2016/08/film-review-suicide-squad/)
- **Eye for Film**, Luke Shaw (25/100, inferred): The review finds the film messy and disappointing, despite a few moments of promise. It praises Will Smith’s charisma as Deadshot, while faulting the overcrowded plotting and underused characters. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/suicide-squad-2016-film-review-by-luke-shaw)
- **/Film**, Jacob Hall (25/100, inferred): The critic calls the film a baffling, compromised misfire, despite a few worthwhile performances. He praises Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Viola Davis, while faulting the film’s structure and its troubling treatment of Harley Quinn’s abusive relationship. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/545830/suicide-squad-spoiler-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** David Ayer
- **Director:** David Ayer
- **Writer:** David Ayer
- **Cinematography:** Roman Vasyanov
- **Editor:** Michael Tronick, John Gilroy
- **Music:** Steven Price
- **Production design:** Oliver Scholl
- **Costume design:** Kate Hawley
- **Producer:** Charles Roven, Richard Suckle
- **Cast:** Will Smith as Deadshot; Jared Leto as The Joker; Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn; Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag; Viola Davis as Amanda Waller; Jai Courtney as Boomerang; Jay Hernandez as Diablo; Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc
- **Runtime:** 2h 02m
- **First release (the US):** 1 August 2016
- **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- **Budget:** $175 million
- **Box office:** $749 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Xb9BhfVjY

## Where to watch in Ecuador

- HBO Max: streaming, uhd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2017: Best Makeup and Hairstyling (won)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2016: Best Actress in an Action Movie (won)

## If you liked this

- *The Dirty Dozen* (1967): The convicts-on-a-mission film this one is copying, with a mission you can follow.
- *The Suicide Squad* (2021): Same premise, different director, and the villains are finally allowed to be funny.
- *Escape from New York* (1981), Fi1m 76: A criminal with a bomb in his neck sent into a ruined city; done in ninety minutes. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-new-york.md)
- *Battle Royale* (2000), Fi1m 83: Japanese schoolchildren with explosive collars, and a film that means every one of them. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/battle-royale.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), Fi1m 80: A gang of crooks and a jukebox soundtrack, with the jokes actually landing. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/suicide-squad