The concept of imprisoned criminals working for the government held great promise but was largely wasted. Like many big-budget productions of this era, the movie fell victim to corporate pressure in its scriptwriting, directing, and editing.
The end result was a mess—especially storywise. The plot felt rushed and disjointed, trying to juggle too many characters and conflicting villain arcs without giving any of them enough depth. Instead of a cohesive narrative, the film ended up as a patchwork of chaotic scenes that failed to build real tension or emotional investment. So, could it have been put together more coherently?
Without the corporate pressure and with a bit more diligent storytelling, the fix almost presents itself by itself.
Lose the opening data dump
Instead of a smooth setup, the film jumps into rapid-fire character introductions, almost like you’re flipping through a deck of trading cards. This rushed approach strips the Squad of the chance to develop natural, spontaneous motivations or chemistry, making their actions feel forced and disconnected rather than earned.
Raise the “suicide” stakes
The film never really shows why the team is called the Suicide Squad—after all, these prisoners are supposed to be expendable, sent on deadly missions with little chance of survival. Yet, surprisingly, hardly any of them actually die in the movie, which undermines the sense of real danger and stakes. Thankfully, this crucial aspect was better addressed in the soft sequel, where the expendability of the characters finally felt real and carried real weight.
Pump up the Joker character
The problem with the Joker character was that the writers just left him hanging in the air. There’s no real sense of who he is or why anyone would follow him. Now imagine if they had shown a scene with him in a room full of people—each one deranged in their own way but still likable (important), dressed wildly, laughing like him, completely devoted. The Joker cult. Suddenly, he makes sense. That kind of chaotic atmosphere would have given his presence weight and purpose, turning him from a cringe-worthy oddity into a truly menacing force.
The Joker isn’t scary just because he’s crazy—he’s scary because his madness spreads. It infects people. That’s what makes him dangerous.
Show Joker outsmarting everybody
Let’s face it — there probably shouldn’t be a Joker movie without an intense scene where he outsmarts his opponents like nobody else can. The Joker’s genius lies not just in chaos, but in his unpredictable intellect and cunning.
He isn’t scary because he is loud and obnoxious, but because he knows something you don’t.
Streighten up the enchantress shadow archetype
The film confused the Enchantress’s shadow archetype by turning her into a generic destruction-driven villain rather than embracing the classic manipulative enchantress role. Instead of being a subtle, seductive force who bends others to her will, she’s reduced to a blunt, world-ending threat. Straightening this out would mean highlighting her powers of mind control and manipulation, making her danger more psychological and nuanced rather than just explosive and destructive.
Give enchantress a proper motivation
Her motivation should focus on conquering a world that has forgotten her, seeking to be worshiped forever rather than just destroying everything. This desire for power and recognition would make her a more complex and driven villain, rooted in pride and a need for lasting influence.
Turn Joker culists into enchanted army
The crucial fix would be to make Joker—the one who doesn’t bend to noone—fall under the Enchantress’s spell. This twist would not only deepen his character but also transform his group of cultists into a truly enchanted, dangerous army. Instead of the brainless cannon fodder army that we’ve witnessed. It would also give Harley Quinn a much richer relationship with Joker, caught between her devotion to him and the supernatural influence controlling him.
This way, the Joker would have had a proper place in the story. Without it, he basically came across as a pathetic nerd trying to sneak into a cool high school party.
Make Squad members repent for their sins
…before you award them their full powers.
It was such a wasted opportunity. Who better to bring to the point of repentance than disgraced prisoners—outcasts with blood on their hands and regrets buried deep? The story could have allowed them to confront their pasts, wrestle with their inner demons, and gradually earn not just power, but purpose. Only then could the universe, the writers, and—most importantly—the audience in their minds truly reward them with their full expression. Without that journey, their transformations feel unearned, and the emotional payoff never lands.
In the end, Suicide Squad had all the right ingredients: a bold premise, iconic characters, and a chance to turn a group of villains into something oddly heroic. But under the weight of corporate meddling, confused motivations, and missed opportunities, it collapsed into noise. The tragedy isn’t that it failed—but that it could have been something truly unique.
Let’s just say that Harley’s smeared lipstick is a story element so I can grade it 2/10.
Ira
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