A Year Before Suicide Squad: The Box Office Performance And Critical Reception Of Will Smith And Margot Robbie's 2015 Film

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Post on Apr 28, 2025

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A Year Before Suicide Squad: Examining the Box Office and Critical Response to Will Smith and Margot Robbie's 2015 Film

Will Smith and Margot Robbie – two names synonymous with box office success. But before they teamed up for the divisive Suicide Squad in 2016, their individual star power shone brightly in separate 2015 releases. While not a direct precursor to the DC film, understanding the performance of these films – Focus and The Big Short respectively – offers valuable context for their later collaborative effort. This article delves into the box office performance and critical reception of these 2015 movies, shedding light on the individual trajectories of these two A-list actors leading up to their shared DC venture.

Will Smith's Focus: A Slick Heist Thriller with Mixed Results

Released in February 2015, Focus, a romantic crime thriller co-starring Margot Robbie (though not a major plot point), aimed for a sophisticated heist movie appeal. Will Smith played Nicky Spurgeon, a seasoned con artist who takes on a young protégé (Robbie's Jess Barrett). The film boasted a stylish aesthetic and engaging premise.

However, Focus received mixed reviews. Critics praised the film's visual flair and the chemistry between Smith and Robbie, but many criticized the predictable plot and underdeveloped characters. Despite the star power, the film's critical reception was far from universally positive.

Box Office Performance: While Focus earned a respectable global gross of over $159 million, it fell short of expectations considering its budget and star power. The film's performance highlighted the increasingly unpredictable nature of the box office, demonstrating that even A-list actors can't guarantee a blockbuster hit solely on their name recognition.

Margot Robbie's The Big Short: A Critical Darling with Unexpected Box Office Success

In stark contrast to Focus, Margot Robbie's role in The Big Short, a biographical comedy-drama about the 2008 financial crisis, was smaller but impactful. Her brief but memorable scene explaining complex financial instruments earned her widespread praise for its clarity and comedic timing. The film itself garnered significant critical acclaim for its sharp wit and intelligent portrayal of a complicated subject.

Box Office Performance and Critical Reception: The Big Short was a significant success, both critically and commercially. The film received five Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Adapted Screenplay. It also grossed over $133 million globally, proving that a well-received, intelligent film could attract a sizable audience, even without a major star at the forefront.

The Pre-Suicide Squad Context: Individual Successes and Shared Potential

Looking back at the box office performance and critical reception of Will Smith's Focus and Margot Robbie's The Big Short, a clear contrast emerges. Smith's film, while commercially successful, struggled to garner consistent critical praise. Meanwhile, Robbie's comparatively smaller role in The Big Short contributed to a critically acclaimed and financially successful film. This disparity underscores the unpredictable nature of Hollywood success and the influence of various factors – including script quality, directorial vision, and overall marketing – on a film's overall reception.

The success of both actors, individually, in 2015 certainly contributed to the anticipation surrounding their collaboration in Suicide Squad the following year. However, their previous films reveal that box office performance and critical reception are not always directly correlated and are significantly impacted by a variety of factors beyond the talent involved. Analyzing these 2015 projects provides valuable insight into the complicated landscape of Hollywood and the leading up to the highly anticipated, and ultimately controversial, Suicide Squad.