Suicide Squad (2016) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The film begins at Belle Reve Penitentiary, where Floyd Lawton (better known as Deadshot) is seen in his cell, vigorously working on a punching bag. The guards, led by Captain Griggs (Ike Barinholtz), deliver a subpar meal to him. When Griggs mocks Deadshot, Floyd makes a menacing promise to take revenge, prompting Griggs to have him restrained and beaten by fellow guards.

In a different part of the prison, Harley Quinn, portrayed by Margot Robbie, hangs upside down, confined in her makeshift cage. When Griggs comes to visit her, he maliciously activates the electric bars, which sends Harley into a flashback of her first days in confinement, illuminating her descent into madness.

The narrative shifts to the aftermath of Superman's demise, as Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis) meets with Admiral Olsen (Ted Whittall) and Dexter Tolliver (David Harbour) to brainstorm the formation of Task Force X. Her ambitious plan involves recruiting the most dangerous criminals to confront imminent threats. Waller methodically reviews her candidates starting with Deadshot, who is depicted as a lethal marksman. A flashback reveals Floyd's conflict with his daughter, Zoe (Shailyn Pierre-Dixon), who grapples with her father's criminal legacy and his capture by Batman (Ben Affleck).

Next, Waller selects Harley, a former psychiatrist who became infatuated with The Joker (Jared Leto) during her last session. Harley's transformation into his devoted accomplice is illustrated through flashbacks showcasing their tumultuous relationship, culminating in her imprisonment after an escapade with Joker, where they faced off against Batman.

Waller continues to build her roster, including Digger Harkness (Jai Courtney) as Captain Boomerang, Chato Santana (Jay Hernandez) known as El Diablo, and Waylon Jones/Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje), each with their own dark stories. Additionally, Dr. June Moone (Cara Delevingne) is introduced, having unwittingly unleashed an ancient spirit called Enchantress. Waller controls Enchantress with her heart, setting up her leverage in the mission. Colonel Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), romantically linked with June, supports Waller's ambitions.

Gathering at the Pentagon, discussions revolve around the covert operations of Task Force X. Despite skepticism from the higher-ups, Waller demonstrates Enchantress’s capabilities, solidifying her plan.

In an effort to induct her recruits, Waller visits Belle Reve with Flag and June. She permits Floyd a chance to showcase his skills with an array of firearms, while he puts forth demands that advocate for his freedom and his daughter's custody—requests that Flag denies.

As night falls, Enchantress reveals herself, striking fear into Flag with visions of June's demise. Meanwhile, Joker, learning of Harley's predicament, orchestrates chaos by capturing Griggs and making his own plans to rescue her by attacking the facility responsible for the nano bombs controlling the recruits.

As the squad is assembled and outfitted, they are injected with explosive devices to ensure compliance on their mission to neutralize a dangerous entity threatening Midway City. During transit, they meet Katana, Flag's fierce guard wielding a sword that captures souls.

Upon their arrival in Midway City, chaos ensues as Enchantress's minions ambush them. As they battle, Deadshot proves his marksmanship, while Harley showcases her unpredictable combat skills. However, El Diablo remains hesitant to use his powers until forced into action, incinerating their foes in a display of his fire mastery.

With their path forward riddled with obstacles, the squad presses on, facing off against more of Enchantress’s monstrous creations. However, Deadshot's revelation about their true purpose fuels a pivotal moment where the team decides to bond over shared experiences, igniting a sense of camaraderie.

They concoct a plan to plant a bomb to subdue Incubus, a creature summoned by Enchantress. As they enact their strategy, Deadshot confronts horrific illusions created by Enchantress, bringing forth their deepest desires. Despite the temptations, they rally against the witch utilizing their specialties.

In a climactic showdown, Harley cunningly subverts Enchantress, exploiting her vulnerabilities, while Deadshot dismantles the machine intended to eradicate humanity as they face insurmountable odds. The squad shows immense growth and cohesion, culminating in Flag crushing Enchantress's heart, liberating June and securing their victory.

As the story nears its conclusion, Waller offers the squad reduced sentences but retains control over their fates while they adjust to their new reality within the penitentiary. Just when it seems calm, a brigade led by Joker storms the prison, reuniting him with Harley.

In a mid-credits scene, Waller meets Bruce Wayne, seeking protection for Task Force X's actions in exchange for insights into future threats, hinting at broader implications for the DC universe.

In the climax of The Suicide Squad, the team faces off against Starro, a massive, alien starfish with psychic powers that has escaped from a government laboratory and is wreaking havoc in Corto Maltese. Despite initial chaos and casualties, the survivors band together in a final effort to stop the monster. Harley Quinn, Ratcatcher 2, and King Shark work together to weaken Starro by using Javelin’s weapon to stab it through the eye, creating an entry point for Ratcatcher’s rats to swarm inside. The rats then chew through Starro’s nerve endings and eat their way into its brain, ultimately killing the creature. As Starro dies, it reflects on its peaceful existence in space before being tormented and used as a weapon by humans and the US government for decades. Its death is surprisingly tender, highlighting a poignant moment where the creature, despite being a villain, is portrayed as a victim of human cruelty.

After the creature's demise, the team is left with a moral dilemma. Bloodsport, the new leader, cleverly uses the evidence of U.S. government complicity—contained in a hard drive—to blackmail Amanda Waller into releasing the surviving members. Though Rick Flag wished to reveal the truth, Bloodsport opts to secure their freedom instead, warning Waller that if she doesn’t comply, the evidence will go public. Waller grudgingly agrees, and the team is set free, though their futures remain uncertain. The ending also hints at future threats, with Weasel surviving and escaping into the jungle—much to Waller's dismay—indicating he might become a dangerous, unseen presence in Corto Maltese.