Dive into an Epic Dark Comedy Adventure with the New Suicide Squad

The latest installment in the Suicide Squad franchise brilliantly corrects the missteps of its predecessor, delivering vivid characters, inventive sequences, and a striking blend of grotesque violence and humor.

Released internationally on August 5, James Gunn's Suicide Squad offers a bold new chapter in the ever-evolving DC cinematic universe.

The original 2016 film, directed by David Ayer, faced challenges due to studio mandates that shifted its tone from a serious action thriller to a hurried comedy, resulting in a fast-paced but somewhat hollow experience. Notably, the main villain portrayed by Cara Delevingne lacked depth, simply standing and gesturing throughout the film. Since then, Ayer has expressed interest in releasing his director's cut, especially after the success of Zack Snyder's Justice League.

Meanwhile, Gunn's Suicide Squad emerges as a raucous, darkly comedic auteur piece, with his selection as director being a key triumph for the project.

Though it nominally continues from the previous film, Gunn’s version effectively reboots the storyline, retaining only a few familiar faces. Stylistically, it aligns more closely with Gunn’s prior works like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and his earlier cult comedies.

The True Essence of the Suicide Squad

Once again, the formidable Amanda Waller assembles a team of convicts for a perilous mission. Led by the professional assassin Bloodsport (Idris Elba), the squad must infiltrate the nation of Corto Maltese, recently shaken by a coup, to destroy a dangerous weapons facility.

However, before they can succeed, the team must overcome their own interpersonal challenges. Alongside Bloodsport are the strong but dim-witted King Shark (voiced by Sylvester Stallone), the excessively violent Peacemaker (John Cena), the quirky Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian) with his mysterious powers, and Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), who replaces the deceased Ratcatcher 1.

Beloved fan-favorite Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), blending brilliance with madness, and the brave yet naive Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) also join the fray. With such a motley crew, their journey promises no shortage of chaos.

At first glance, the plot might seem familiar—Waller dispatches a team of criminals on a near-suicidal mission, echoing the original film. Yet, this repetition works in its favor, allowing Gunn to realize the vision that Warner Bros. initially intended but could not fully execute.

Gunn’s film embraces the idea of an anarchic, auteur-driven spectacle rather than a forced comedy. Harley Quinn sheds her prior sex-symbol image, now appearing in outfits inspired by the Batman: Arkham City game and eccentric dresses, embodying the charismatic and unpredictable antihero fans adore.

Even Bloodsport is handled with ironic flair. Initially, Gunn considered casting Idris Elba in the role of Bloodshot (previously played by Will Smith), which influenced the character’s conception. Ultimately, the character was reimagined to deepen his complexity, mirrored by the contrastingly idiotic Peacemaker. Their rivalry, highlighted in a memorable kill competition scene, perfectly balances humor and action.

Gunn’s film freely blends humor with brutal violence, showcasing a level of creative freedom rarely granted in superhero cinema. Gore is abundant, with limbs flying and blood splattering across the screen, and even main characters aren’t safe from death—though most are unsympathetic villains.

The result is a fast-paced, entertaining, and blood-soaked ride filled with witty dialogue and outrageous action sequences. Gunn’s mastery of comedic timing ensures that even the most serious moments are punctuated with humor, making the film a delight for fans of dark comedy.

A Surprisingly Heartfelt 'Bad' Movie

Remarkably, James Gunn has been called upon twice to revitalize superhero franchises with his unique blend of humor and heart. His work on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy helped infuse freshness into the genre, and now he brings that same energy to DC.

Unlike his Marvel projects, Gunn appears to have been granted full creative control here, embracing his love for exploitation cinema that inspired his early career. Fans familiar with his indie works, such as "PG Porn," will recognize the film’s wild and irreverent spirit.

Gunn deliberately chose some of the most bizarre superheroes from the comics, creating a pantheon of eccentric characters, including a villain with detachable flying hands—played by Nathan Fillion—who actually appeared in DC comics.

Among the heroes is Polka-Dot Man, who attacks with colorful dots and imagines his enemies as his mother, adding layers of absurdity and emotional depth.

The main antagonist is a giant extraterrestrial starfish, a creature both more dynamic and engaging than the villain from the original film.

The film’s excessiveness is deliberate: kills come in dozens of inventive and often bizarre forms, emphasizing the film’s commitment to pushing boundaries. Yet, Gunn avoids turning the movie into mere parody, maintaining strong action sequences and visual storytelling.

Notably, the scene where Harley Quinn is rescued outshines previous franchise moments, featuring stylish choreography and a touch of foot-fetish aesthetics reminiscent of Tarantino.

Bloodsport’s array of gadgets impress in every scene, and the large-scale battles are shot with clarity and originality, setting a new standard even for Marvel’s recent action films.

The soundtrack is diegetic, meaning characters themselves hear the music, enhancing immersion. Additionally, humorous text inserts creatively use blood splatters and rat swarms to convey messages.

Following Snyder’s biblical motifs and slow-motion style, Gunn’s Suicide Squad stands out as a unique, identifiable DC film, with a surprisingly heartfelt dramatic core.

A Touching Family Story Amid Chaos

Despite its grotesque violence and exploitation film influences, the movie also delivers a deeply personal emotional narrative. Like Guardians of the Galaxy, it explores themes of found family and the search for belonging.

Gunn’s talent shines as he portrays the Suicide Squad members as lost individuals seeking connection. Bloodsport and Ratcatcher 2 reveal their hidden vulnerabilities, reflecting parental hopes and childhood fears respectively. A cameo by Taika Waititi adds an unexpectedly tender moment.

Even King Shark becomes an unexpectedly charming character, while Harley Quinn’s brief monologue reveals more about her traumatic past with the Joker than the entire Birds of Prey film.

Though Gunn borrows heavily from Guardians of the Galaxy’s formula, it works even better here, transforming the squad into a close-knit, if dysfunctional, family. They commit many unsavory acts and are far from sane, but they feel genuine and relatable—except for Peacemaker, who serves as the story’s ultimate moral antagonist.

Suicide Squad: Mission Unleashed is a must-watch for fans of black comedy and action-packed entertainment. It stands on its own, even for viewers unfamiliar with previous DC films, delivering wild thrills and a reminder that everyone shares common struggles.

James Gunn has masterfully rebooted the franchise, and it’s hopeful that this film will join Joker as a shining example of successful auteur-driven blockbusters within the DC and Warner Bros. lineup.

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