WTF Happened to Sucker Punch?

Before the Snyderverse, Zack Snyder was one of Warner Bros’ most prominent directors, with him having helmed the wildly successful 300 and Watchmen. While the latter of these two movies didn’t set the world on fire in terms of box office, it still did perfectly decent business, and for his follow-up, Snyder was given a lot of latitude to make what would be his first film based on an original concept, Sucker Punch. The story of a group of female mental patients who enter a fantasy world, the film was met with pretty dismal box office by Snyder’s standards. Critics had a field day with his fantasy epic, and fans mostly dismissed it as a weaker effort for the director.

While Sucker Punch was quickly forgotten once Snyder made Man of Steel and launched his ill-fated DC Snyderverse, the movie has eked out a bit of a following amongst some of his most devoted fans. While an utterly bizarre film, it’s also pretty original with a terrific cast that includes Ghost Ship’s Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jamie Chung, Vanessa Hudgens, Jena Malone, Scott Glenn, Jon Hamm, and a pre-fame Oscar Isaac.

In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig into the making of Snyder’s misbegotten fantasy epic, examining its fate at the box office and the cult that’s sprouted up around it. This episode is written by Jake Dee, narrated by Mathew Plale and edited by Jeremy Hamley.

Do you think Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch is underrated? Let us know in the comments!

#ZackSnyder #SuckerPunch #wtfhappenedtothismovie

[gabi]

I’m so glad everyone in the comments agrees this movie is badass

[Zutto]

The beauty of this movie is that it teaches you that the story isn't about you. You will not be remembered but you will know you did the right thing.

[RuleofReview]

Before I even watch this video I just want to say that I unapologetically love Sucker Punch. It’s actually a really incredible film, especially with the right ending. So sad that this one didn’t connect with people. It’s really powerful and really fun!

[auroredelpond]

Of all Snyders movies, that's certainly my favorite. It's not perfect but it's definitly is the one that resonated the most with me. It takes risks, it's visually impressive, it's super dark despite some glitters thrown here and there... I hope someday this movie is "rediscovered" and get the love and traction it deserves.

[robertedwards]

I showed this to my teenaged step daughters and they completely loved this, it found a way to be completely female led but not at the expense of male characters and we watch it from time to time and they're still into it. Brilliantly visual and interesting.

[gaiden]

I am so saddened that sucker punch didn’t get more recognition. It was an amazing film and an incredible idea. I would have love to have seen more. The world that they created would have been so kool to do multiple movies of. Such a shame.

[katiebonderman]

I love this movie and I would love to see a Director's Cut 🥰😍. I loved the action and I understood the story just fine. I don't get where everyone is so confused?

[Panthror]

I love 'Suckerpunch', saw it in the theatre and own it on DVD, every re-watch I discover new layers in the story. And the visuals are awesome.

[queensndnone]

I'm a fan of Sucker Punch... It was a unabashed thrill ride. I won't argue that it's his best work or even close but it was fun and it took chances and turned BabyDoll into one of my favorite original female heroines of all time. She was a bad ass and I believe the film would have been even better if the studio didn't force him once again to remove huge chunks of what he filmed for more screen time like longer movies can't be successful. I mean what movies gonna be satisfactory to everyone when the director has a vision, films it and then if forced to remove entire plot points for time? I am definitely waiting with bated breath in the Snyder Cut of this one. More BabyDoll and Friends fighting mini gun toting giant demon samurais... Yes please!

[Apoctolyptic]

This movie got me through a really dark period in my early teen years. To this day I still throw the soundtrack on at least once a month.

[enriquevarela]

If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything…

[Vaportrail]

One of the best movies I have watched. I don`t think a lot of people really understood what was going on or how deep it really was so they gave it a bad rating.

[crdxall]

IMO, this is a much underrated one from Zack Snyder.

[Biodelic]

I went to see that movie, when it came out, without any prior knowledge. It was a blast! Until today, I really like this movie.

On a side note, I find it every time refreshing to have an entire cast on the more unknown side.

[grapeshot]

I always seen this movie as a live-action manga. And frankly it wasn't all that bad to me although I know it gets a lot of hate in some quarters.

[journeyman]

Yeah I actually loved this. It's definitely not your average movie! It's batshit crazy and the action is mental. Not one bit surprised it didn't light the world on fire though, it is a bit deeper than it originally seems.

[MrSpike]

I remember seeing this in the theaters and being blown away by the visuals. Especially the train sequence set to that beautiful cover of Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles, which is still in my iTunes 11 years later.

Side Note: I went to Universal Studios Halloween Horror nights in October of 2011, and during the Bill And Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure, the girls from Sucker Punch appeared and began walking out into the audience, selling candy bars. When Bill and Ted asked them what they were doing, their response was "hey, our movie flopped! We've gotta make our money back somehow!!!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[johpo]

Dragged my friends to watch this back when it first hit theaters and even though they both hated it passionately, I loved it then and love it now. When people asked, “Who was this movie made for?” I always answered, “ME!”

Vanessa Hudgens, Emily Browning and Jamie Lee Chung killing zombies and dragons?! Cmon that’s fire! 🔥

[danbardos]

I loved this movie. Would love a Snyder cut.

[dragonslyer]

I genuinely love this film and in every aspect I think it was one of the most creative films that came out that year I appreciate it for all of its things and I feel bad that it didn't do well I tried to make it do well