Suicide Squad
It feels good to be bad...Assemble a team of the world's most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government's disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren't picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it's every man for himself?
Despite a enormous budget of $175.0M, Suicide Squad became a financial success, earning $749.2M worldwide—a 328% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, confirming that audiences embrace innovative storytelling even at blockbuster scale.
1 Oscar. 18 wins & 41 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Suicide Squad (2016) exhibits carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of David Ayer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Deadshot is captured by Batman in front of his daughter, establishing his criminal life and fractured family bonds.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Enchantress escapes Amanda Waller's control and frees her brother, beginning the supernatural threat that will require the Squad's deployment.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The Squad boards helicopters and deploys into Midway City, fully committed to the mission. They cross into the war zone where Enchantress's forces have taken over., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The Squad reaches the extraction point only to discover Amanda Waller is the target they're rescuing, revealing they've been manipulated. Waller executes her staff to protect secrets. False defeat: they realize they're pawns, not heroes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, El Diablo sacrifices himself to destroy Enchantress's brother, Incubus. The team loses their most powerful member and faces certain death against Enchantress. Their "All Is Lost" moment with a literal death., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The Squad defeats Enchantress and saves June Moone. They return to Belle Reve but with reduced sentences and privileges. Waller negotiates with Bruce Wayne. Joker breaks Harley out of prison. The new status quo is established., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Suicide Squad's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Suicide Squad against these established plot points, we can identify how David Ayer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Suicide Squad within the action genre.
David Ayer's Structural Approach
Among the 6 David Ayer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Suicide Squad takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Ayer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more David Ayer analyses, see Fury, Sabotage and Street Kings.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Deadshot is captured by Batman in front of his daughter, establishing his criminal life and fractured family bonds.
Theme
Amanda Waller pitches the Suicide Squad concept: "What if Superman had decided to fly down, rip off the roof of the White House?" The theme of control vs. chaos, and whether bad people can do good.
Worldbuilding
Extended character introductions showing each villain's backstory, powers, and capture: Deadshot, Harley Quinn, El Diablo, Killer Croc, Boomerang, and Enchantress. Establishes Belle Reve prison and Amanda Waller's control.
Disruption
Enchantress escapes Amanda Waller's control and frees her brother, beginning the supernatural threat that will require the Squad's deployment.
Resistance
The Squad is assembled and briefed. Rick Flag introduces the mission. Characters resist, debate, and are coerced with explosive implants. Harley and others test their captors. The team reluctantly prepares.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Squad boards helicopters and deploys into Midway City, fully committed to the mission. They cross into the war zone where Enchantress's forces have taken over.
Mirror World
Rick Flag reveals his personal stake: June Moone (Enchantress's host) is the woman he loves. This subplot mirrors the theme of loving someone despite their dark side.
Premise
The Squad fights through Midway City, battling Enchantress's creatures. They showcase their abilities, develop team dynamics, and experience the "fun and games" of supervillains forced to play hero. Harley's chaos, Deadshot's skills, and team bonding emerge.
Midpoint
The Squad reaches the extraction point only to discover Amanda Waller is the target they're rescuing, revealing they've been manipulated. Waller executes her staff to protect secrets. False defeat: they realize they're pawns, not heroes.
Opposition
After Waller's helicopter is shot down, the Squad briefly escapes and bonds at a bar, sharing their pain. Enchantress tempts them with visions of their desires. They choose to return and fight, but internal conflicts and doubts intensify. Diablo reveals his tragic past.
Collapse
El Diablo sacrifices himself to destroy Enchantress's brother, Incubus. The team loses their most powerful member and faces certain death against Enchantress. Their "All Is Lost" moment with a literal death.
Crisis
The surviving Squad members face Enchantress alone. They process Diablo's sacrifice and confront their apparent doom. Dark night before the final push.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The Squad defeats Enchantress and saves June Moone. They return to Belle Reve but with reduced sentences and privileges. Waller negotiates with Bruce Wayne. Joker breaks Harley out of prison. The new status quo is established.