'Suicide Squad' was rough and tough experience: David Ayer

London: Director Davi Ayer said making "Suicide Squad" was a "rough and tough experience" for him.

Ayer, 49, who directed the anti-hero ensemble movie featuring Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman and Viola Davis, said getting panned by critics was painful, reported Contactmusic.

"I got some supercharged muscles on 'Suicide Squad', from making a film so big, but it was a rough experience. A tough experience," said Ayer.

"It became a bit of a slog at the end. It was an incredible financial success but I got flayed by the critics and that's scary, that's painful. And it shook my confidence as a storyteller," he added.