A Year Before Suicide Squad: Examining Will Smith And Margot Robbie's Critical Miss

Admin

3 min read

Post on Apr 29, 2025

4.4

Share

<h1>A Year Before Suicide Squad: Examining Will Smith and Margot Robbie's Critical Miss</h1>

Will Smith and Margot Robbie, two of Hollywood's biggest stars, faced unexpected critical backlash a year before the release of Suicide Squad. While the film itself went on to become a box office success, the pre-release buzz surrounding the actors' individual projects painted a picture of a potential critical miss, a foreshadowing of the mixed reception the film itself would receive. Let's delve into the factors that contributed to this pre-Suicide Squad critical downturn.

<h2>The "Focus" Problem: Overexposure and Mismatched Roles</h2>

Both Smith and Robbie experienced a period of overexposure in the year leading up to Suicide Squad's release. Smith, coming off the massive success of Concussion, starred in Collateral Beauty, a film that received overwhelmingly negative reviews, criticized for its heavy-handed sentimentality and unconvincing plot. This contributed to a sense of fatigue amongst critics, questioning whether Smith was making shrewd career choices.

Similarly, Robbie, while showcasing her range in various roles, faced criticism for the uneven quality of her projects. While some lauded her performance in The Legend of Tarzan, others found her roles less compelling, leading to questions about her ability to consistently deliver critically acclaimed performances. The issue wasn't necessarily the talent; rather, the roles themselves seemed mismatched, failing to fully showcase their strengths.

<h3>The Weight of Expectation: High-Profile Flops Cast a Shadow</h3>

Both actors carried the weight of significant expectations. Smith, a proven box office draw, had a string of hits behind him. Therefore, a less-than-stellar performance inevitably drew more scrutiny. Robbie, a rising star, was quickly gaining acclaim, but the unevenness of her subsequent roles created a sense of uncertainty amongst critics. This pre-existing narrative of potential underperformance possibly colored the perception of their roles in Suicide Squad even before the film's release.

<h2>The Pre-Suicide Squad Narrative: Setting the Stage for Mixed Reactions</h2>

The negative buzz surrounding their individual films in the year before Suicide Squad subtly shifted the narrative. It created a climate of cautious optimism, if not outright apprehension, regarding their performance in the anticipated DC film. This pre-release negativity arguably influenced the initial critical reaction to Suicide Squad itself, with some critics potentially viewing the film through the lens of their previous, less-than-successful roles.

<h3>Lessons Learned: Choosing Roles Wisely</h3>

The year before Suicide Squad served as a valuable lesson for both Smith and Robbie. The experience highlighted the importance of carefully selecting roles that align with their strengths and contribute to their evolving careers, rather than solely focusing on high-profile projects. Both actors have demonstrated a more discerning approach to role selection since then, which is evident in their subsequent successes.

<h2>Conclusion: The Power of Pre-Release Perception</h2>

The critical miss surrounding Smith and Robbie's projects in the year leading up to Suicide Squad underlines the power of pre-release perception. Even for established stars, a series of less-than-stellar performances can create a narrative that overshadows subsequent work, potentially impacting the reception of even a highly anticipated project. The experience underscores the importance of considered career choices and the lasting impact that individual projects can have on an actor's overall reputation and public perception.