Why Suicide Squad Became One of the Worst Movies of the Year

As part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), Suicide Squad was intended to be a groundbreaking entry that would captivate audiences and solidify its place in cinematic lore. However, it had mixed reviews and is often considered one of the worst movies of the year. This article explores the key factors that led to its poor reception and analyzes the numerous shortcomings in various aspects such as tone, character development, and plot.

Inconsistent Tone and Editing

One of the most significant issues with Suicide Squad was its inconsistent tone. The film oscillated between dark, gritty themes and attempts at humor, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. This inconsistency was further exacerbated by extensive reshoots and editing decisions that altered the film's original vision. The result was a product that felt unfinished and lacking cohesion. This problem is highlighted by the statement: 'It was typed up too much and we had too many expectations for it.' The movie often felt like 'a long darkly shot LONG music video compilation where the music is not so great and quick cuts are used to cover up any storytelling.'

Weak Character Development

In spite of the interesting backgrounds from the comics, many characters in Suicide Squad were poorly developed. This lack of depth left audiences disconnected from the characters and their motivations, significantly undermining the emotional impact of their arcs. One reviewer noted, 'They also wanted to cash in on Will Smith so instead of watching stuff to characterize the 10 other people in the movie, one person has disproportionately more screentime than the others.' Such heavy focus on a single character at the expense of others detracted from the overall cohesion of the narrative. Another point of concern is the rushed and incomplete characterization of characters, as evidenced by the comment: 'Plus the plot is a mess. Amanda Waller created the suicide squad to... fight a member of the suicide squad.' This convoluted storyline failed to resonate with viewers, contributing to the movie's unfavorable reception.

Plot Issues

Critics widely agreed that the plot was muddled and over-relied on clichés. The villains' motivations and the overall plot were wanting, which detracted significantly from the movie's engagement. The intricate teamwork of the Suicide Squad was undermined by the inclusion of an enemy from within, making the narrative inconsistent. As one review put it, 'Amanda Waller created the suicide squad to... fight a member of the suicide squad Enchantress was the ace in hole of the team but went rogue so now the team has to fight their own ace in the hole who should be unstoppable by mostly powerless people Please... Thats like none of the avengers getting movies to set them up and characterize them and the first avenger movie we see is the hulk going crazy and all the avengers have to stop him.' This plot was ill-conceived and poorly executed, leading to a lackluster viewing experience.

Expectations vs. Reality

The expectations for Suicide Squad were high due to its place in the DCEU, but the reality did not meet these expectations. Many reviewers noted that the movie was rushed and lacked the substantive character development necessary to maintain audience engagement. The rushed character development and the focus on a single character over others resulted in a disjointed viewing experience. The comment, 'They assumed you would be able to pause the theater and read their dossier when they flashed it up for 5 seconds,' highlights the lack of depth in character arcs and the misplaced emphasis on exposition over storytelling.

The mix of a convoluted plot and poorly developed characters led to a disjointed narrative that failed to captivate viewers, resulting in negative word of mouth and poor box office performance. Individually, each element—whether the tone, character development, or plot—fell short, leading to a final product that was far from the cinematic success many had hoped for. Ultimately, the movie's failure to deliver on its promises and the lack of a compelling narrative arc contributed to its status as one of the worst movies of the year.