The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Suicide Squad (2016 film)
Entertainment • Film

Suicide Squad (2016 film)

Suicide Squad is a 2016 American superhero film based on the DC Comics anti-hero team of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Suicide Squad is a 2016 American superhero film based on the DC Comics anti-hero team of the same name. Written and directed by David Ayer, it is the third film in the DC Extended Universe and follows a government team of imprisoned supervillains sent on a dangerous mission.

Premise

The film follows a secret government program that assembles imprisoned supervillains as a task force for a high-risk mission. The team is often referred to as Task Force X.

Production

Suicide Squad was written and directed by David Ayer and produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle. It was released by Warner Bros. Pictures and produced with Atlas Entertainment and DC Entertainment.

Cast

The ensemble cast features Will Smith as Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Jared Leto as the Joker, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, among others.

Reception and legacy

The film became a major DCEU entry and later received a standalone sequel, The Suicide Squad (2021), which is also based on the same DC Comics team.

Key facts

  • The film is based on the DC Comics anti-hero team Suicide Squad.
  • It is the third installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
  • The story centres on dangerous incarcerated supervillains recruited for a government mission.
  • The ensemble cast includes Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, and Viola Davis.
  • It was released in U.S. theatres on 5 August 2016 and was followed by The Suicide Squad in 2021.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was widely distributed in Canada as part of Warner Bros.' international release of a major Hollywood superhero title, and it is relevant to Canadian audiences through its North American box-office and streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Suicide Squad?
Suicide Squad is a 2016 American superhero film based on DC Comics' anti-hero team of the same name.
Who directed Suicide Squad?
The film was written and directed by David Ayer.
What is the plot about?
A secret government agency recruits incarcerated supervillains to complete a dangerous mission in exchange for reduced punishment.
Is Suicide Squad part of the DC Extended Universe?
Yes. It is identified as the third installment in the DC Extended Universe.
When was Suicide Squad released?
It opened in U.S. theatres on 5 August 2016.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_Squad_(2016_film)
    Supports: Identifies the film as a 2016 American superhero film, the third DCEU installment, directed by David Ayer, with principal cast and release context.
  2. DC — https://www.dc.com/movies/suicide-squad-2016
    Supports: Official description, cast, director, writer, genre, and premise of the film.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/suicide_squad_2016
    Supports: Synopsis, release date, runtime, genre, director, producer, and distributor.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1386697/
    Supports: Plot premise summarizing the recruitment of dangerous incarcerated super-villains.
  5. Wikipedia — https://www.de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_Squad_(Film)
    Supports: Confirms release date in the United States and that the film is the third DCEU film.
  6. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Suicide_Squad_(film)
    Supports: Notes that The Suicide Squad (2021) is a later film based on the same DC Comics team.