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Action comedy

The Suicide Squad (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Suicide Squad (2021) movie poster

The Suicide Squad is a 2021 action comedy directed by James Gunn, starring Joel Kinnaman as Colonel Rick Flag, Michael Rooker and Viola Davis. It brings to the screen characters from Suicide Squad by John Ostrander Omnibus, Vol. 1 by John Ostrander and Kim Yale. It runs 2 hours 12 minutes and earned $168.7 million worldwide on a $185 million budget. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2022. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$168.7M
award nominations
4
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Watch the trailer Plot & ending explained
The Suicide Squad (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 12m (132 min)
Director
James Gunn
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Mystery
Original language
English
Studio
Warner Bros. Pictures
Budget
$185M
Based on
Suicide Squad by John Ostrander Omnibus, Vol. 1 by John Ostrander and Kim Yale
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is The Suicide Squad About?

The premise of The Suicide Squad without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Within the high-security prison of Belle Reve, some of the world's most dangerous criminals are offered a chance at freedom. Recruited into Task Force X, they're sent on a perilous mission to Corto Maltese, facing off against enemy forces in treacherous jungle terrain. Led by the stern Colonel Rick Flag, this unlikely team of villains must battle their way through the mission, all while being monitored by government surveillance.

The Suicide Squad Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • superheroine
  • suicide squad
  • giant monster
  • superhero
  • based on comic
  • harley quinn character
  • gore
  • violence
  • alien monster
  • extreme violence
  • king shark character
  • amanda waller character
+38 more
  • comicbook movie
  • alien creature
  • giant creature
  • dc extended universe
  • soldier
  • ratcatcher character
  • bloodsport character
  • rat
  • blood
  • profanity
  • evil scientist
  • torture
  • dismemberment
  • evil genius
  • male frontal nudity
  • white briefs
  • man wears tighty whities
  • retcon
  • ensemble cast
  • military uniform
  • actor reprises previous role
  • actress reprises previous role
  • bulge
  • stand alone sequel
  • scene during opening credits
  • scene after end credits
  • haunted by the past
  • surrealism
  • one against many
  • returning character killed off
  • costume
  • evil
  • evil man
  • superhero action
  • shotgun fire
  • gun fired
  • based on comic book
  • sequel
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Cast & crew

The Suicide Squad Cast & Characters

Joel Kinnaman leads the cast as Colonel Rick Flag, with Michael Rooker as Savant and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller. Directed by James Gunn; 31 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Suicide Squad

· 27 more
Show all 31 cast members
From the director

More from James Gunn

More films directed by James Gunn, best-rated first: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Superman.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Suicide Squad Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Suicide Squad 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (83) and weakest in story & flow (58).

74 /100

The Suicide Squad Echo Score Breakdown

The Suicide Squad delivers a high‑energy superhero experience anchored by James Gunn's distinct direction and a vivid visual palette. Critics and many viewers commend the film's inventive set pieces, strong cast performances, and memorable soundtrack, while a subset of audience members criticize narrative cohesion and character continuity. The movie succeeds in offering frequent laughs and striking moments, though its uneven plot and occasional tonal shifts temper universal appeal. Overall, it stands as an enjoyable, if imperfect, entry in the genre.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    The film’s art and craft receive largely positive attention for its bold visual style and production design. Critics highlight fresh visuals, inventive set pieces, and Gunn's energetic direction, while users note striking lighting choices and convincing visual effects. Some viewers find the camera movement overly digital, but the overall impression is that the cinematography and design elevate the experience. Consequently, the artistic execution is judged to be strong.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    Character work is praised for its energetic performances and chemistry among the ensemble. Critics point to a phenomenal cast and surprising emotional beats, and many users commend the nuanced portrayals of characters like King Shark and Margot Robbie. However, a few audience members find the character development weak or inconsistent compared to earlier installments. The balance of enthusiastic praise and isolated criticism leads to a solid but not flawless character assessment.

  • Story & Flow 58

    Narrative cohesion emerges as the most contested aspect of the film. Critics describe the script as rarely dull and note its political undercurrents, while several users label the story incoherent, weak, or messy. Positive remarks cite effective pacing and humor that sustain engagement, yet negative feedback emphasizes plot gaps and unsatisfying character arcs. This mixed reception results in a moderate story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 83

    The sensory experience consistently garners high marks for its soundtrack, sound design, and visual flair. Critics and users alike celebrate the film’s dynamic musical choices, striking color palettes, and convincing effects. While a few viewers mention occasional lighting harshness, the overall consensus affirms that auditory and visual elements significantly enhance immersion. The sensory components are therefore evaluated as a major strength.

  • Rewatch Factor 77

    Rewatch potential is viewed favorably due to the film’s relentless humor, unpredictable action, and vibrant style. Critics and many audience members describe it as endlessly fun and worthy of multiple viewings, while some dissenters find the novelty fades quickly. The combination of memorable set pieces and a lively tone supports a strong replay value, leading to a high rewatch score.

Plot

The Suicide Squad Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Suicide Squad from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The movie begins in Belle Reve Penitentiary, where Brian Durland/Savant (portrayed by Michael Rooker) is amusing himself by tossing a ball around targets he carefully set up. He even displays his exceptional talent by bouncing the ball off the walls, resulting in the unfortunate demise of a canary. His playful moment is cut short when Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) intervenes to assign him a mission.

Savant is quickly thrust into Task Force X, also known as “The Suicide Squad” (or Team 2), which includes characters like Blackguard (Pete Davidson), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Weasel (Sean Gunn), Mongal (Mayling Ng), Javelin (Flula Borg), The Detachable Kid (TDK) (Nathan Fillion), and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie). Under the leadership of Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), they head to Corto Maltese for their mission.

Full summary

The whole story of The Suicide Squad, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Suicide Squad Box Office & Budget

The Suicide Squad grossed $168.7 million worldwide on a $185 million budget, 91% of what it cost. $55.8 million came from the US and Canada and $112.9 million (67%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$168.7M

91% of its budget back

US & Canada
$55.8M
International
$112.9M
Budget
$185M
US & Canada 33% Rest of the world 67%
Awards

The Suicide Squad Awards & Nominations

The Suicide Squad earned 4 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2022.

4 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

The Suicide Squad Trailers & Videos

32 videos: 4 trailers, 1 teaser, 13 clips, 5 featurettes and 9 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 32 videos
Official Red Band Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Rebellion Trailer
  • Trailer Official “Rain” Trailer
  • Teaser King Shark
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Suicide Squad?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the member of the Suicide Squad that possesses the ability to command rats?
Cars

Cars in The Suicide Squad

37 cars on screen, including the Toyota Coaster and the AM General HMMWV M1038.

All 37 cars
  • Toyota Coaster in The Suicide Squad Toyota Coaster Main role
  • AM General HMMWV M1038 in The Suicide Squad AM General HMMWV M1038 Important role
  • 2008 MRAP Bearcat in The Suicide Squad 2008 MRAP Bearcat Important role
  • AM General HMMWV M1043 in The Suicide Squad AM General HMMWV M1043 Minor role
Details

The Suicide Squad Also Known As

48 alternative titles, including “Suicide Squad 2” and “Отрядът самоубийци”.

Also known as
  • Suicide Squad 2
  • Отрядът самоубийци
  • L'Escadron Suicide : La Mission
  • Az Öngyilkos Osztag
  • ザ・スーサイド・スクワッド
  • Brigada sinucigașilor: Misiune ucigașă
  • Отряд самоубийц 2
  • Escuadrón suicida
  • Biệt Đội Cảm Tử
  • فرقة الانتحار
  • Yekhidat Ha'Mit'abdim
  • ذا سويسايد سكواد
+36 more
  • Одред отписаних: Нова мисија
  • Загін самогубців
  • เดอะ ซุยไซด์ สคอวด
  • O Esquadrão Suicida
  • 수어사이드 스쿼드
  • 自杀小队2：全员集结
  • Legion samobójców. The Suicide Squad
  • Отряд Самоубийц: Миссия Навылет
  • 더 수어사이드 스쿼드
  • יחידת המתאבדים
  • The Suicide Squad - Missione suicida
  • جوخه انتحار ۲
  • The Suicide Squad: Samovražedná misia
  • Sebevražedný oddíl
  • 自杀小队：全员集结
  • El Escuadrón Suicida
  • Загін самогубців: Місія навиліт
  • The Suicide Squad: Suicide Mission
  • The Suicide Squad – Az öngyilkos osztag
  • L’escadron suicide : la mission
  • The Suicide Squad: İntihar Timi
  • Odred otpisanih: Nova misija
  • Savižudžių būrys. Mobilizacija
  • 自殺突擊隊：集結
  • فرقة الإنتحار
  • เดอะ ซุยไซด์ สควอด
  • Suicide Squad: Điệp Vụ Cảm Tử
  • 自殺特攻
  • Pašnāvnieku vienība: Jauna misija
  • Odred odpisanih: Nova misija
  • ザ・スーサイド・スクワッド “極”悪党、集結
  • Suitsiidisalk: uus missioon
  • الفرقة الإنتحارية
  • द सुसाइड स्क्वॉड, თვითმკვლელთა რაზმი
  • L’esquadró suïcida
  • X特遣队：全员集结

Seen The Suicide Squad?
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Movies Like The Suicide Squad

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) and Zack Snyder's Justice League.

FAQ

The Suicide Squad FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Suicide Squad, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Suicide Squad?

The Suicide Squad runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).

When was The Suicide Squad released?

The Suicide Squad was released on August 6, 2021.

Who directed The Suicide Squad?

The Suicide Squad was directed by James Gunn.

More films by James Gunn

Who is in the cast of The Suicide Squad?

The Suicide Squad stars Joel Kinnaman as Colonel Rick Flag, Michael Rooker as Savant and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, among 31 credited actors.

How much did The Suicide Squad make at the box office?

The Suicide Squad grossed $168.7 million worldwide ($55.8 million domestic, $112.9 million international) on a budget of $185 million.

How is The Suicide Squad rated?

The Suicide Squad has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Was The Suicide Squad nominated for any awards?

The Suicide Squad received 4 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does The Suicide Squad have a post-credit scene?

Yes. The Suicide Squad has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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