Cara Delevingne: 'Suicide Squad critics have been horrible'

Suicide Squad star Cara Delevingne is urging film fans not to read too much into critics' negative reviews.

The DC Comics movie, which follows a group of super criminals on a mission to do good, boasts an all-star line-up including Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Cara and Jai Courtney. Its release is highly anticipated, but preview screenings have not exactly impressed reviewers.

Critics have been quick to slam the feature, deeming it sexist and stupid. They also feel the release of the shoot-'em-up blockbuster is poorly timed following a string of real-life gun-related tragedies, such as the massacre in a Florida nightclub in July (16) and the assassination of five police officers during a rally in Texas.

Cara is now coming to the film's defense, accusing critics of not valuing superhero movies.

"The critics have been absolutely horrific," she tells Reuters. "They're really, really horrible... It doesn't really matter what the critics say at the end of the day, it's the fans that we made this movie for."

Cara is not the only cast member to speak out in support of the film - Will Smith, who plays assassin Deadshot, echoes Cara's sentiments, saying, "I think people had expectations that may have been different, but I'm excited for the fans to get to vote," while Margot adds, "Critical acclaim is really nice, but we made it for the fans. If the fans like it, then we did our job."

And director David Ayer took to Twitter earlier this week (ends05Aug16) to defend his film from the criticism.

"Prefiero morir de pie que vivir de rodillas - Emiliano Zapata," he wrote, sharing a quote from the Mexican revolutionary in Spanish, which translates to: "I'd prefer to die standing, than to live always on my knees."

"Zapata quote is my way of saying I love the movie and believe in it. Made it for the fans. Best experience of my life," he added.

Suicide Squad hits cinemas on 5 August (16).