Do You Have To See The First Suicide Squad

So, the big question is swirling around like a confused Harley Quinn with a baseball bat: Do you really need to watch the first Suicide Squad movie before diving into the newer, shinier, peppier versions?

Let's be honest, movie-watching shouldn't feel like homework. You're not studying for a pop quiz on obscure DC villain trivia, are you?

The Short Answer (and the Honest One)

Drumroll, please… No. Nope. Absolutely not! You can absolutely skip the 2016 Suicide Squad and still enjoy the subsequent films.

Think of it like this: imagine you're at a buffet. Someone offers you a plate of slightly stale, lukewarm…something. Do you have to eat it to enjoy the fresh, delicious-looking pizza that just came out?

Of course not! You grab that pizza slice and never look back. That pizza is your entry point.

Why You Can (Probably) Skip It

The newer Suicide Squad movies, especially the James Gunn directed ones, are practically soft reboots. They share some characters, sure.

Imagine them as different versions of the same cake. One's a bit dry and the frosting is questionably flavored. The next is moist, fluffy, and slathered in delicious, decadent buttercream.

They may share the name 'cake' (or Suicide Squad), but they are independent enough that you don't need to suffer through the first to appreciate the second.

But...Should I Ever Watch the Original?

Okay, okay, hold your horses! Curiosity didn't always kill the cat (sometimes it just gave it a mild case of the zoomies). If you are a die-hard DC completist, a superhero mega-fan who feels an overwhelming need to consume every piece of related media, then go for it.

Just go in with tempered expectations. Think of it as a historical artifact. A time capsule from a bygone era of superhero filmmaking.

Or a cautionary tale. Your choice.

Character Continuity: Is it a Thing?

Some characters carry over, like Harley Quinn and Rick Flag. But their personalities, motivations, and even their backstories are often tweaked or completely reinterpreted.

It's less a carefully planned saga and more a group of talented chefs taking the same ingredients and making wildly different dishes.

You might catch a fleeting reference here or there to the previous movie. But these are more like Easter eggs for the truly dedicated. Nothing that will ruin your understanding of the plot if you miss them.

Final Verdict (with Extra Enthusiasm!)

Life's too short to watch movies you don't enjoy, especially if you're watching superhero films. So, feel free to dive headfirst into the more recent Suicide Squad adventures!

Embrace the chaos, the explosions, and the delightfully deranged humor. You deserve it.

And remember, pizza is always a good choice. Unless you're lactose intolerant. In which case, maybe a really good veggie burger?