James Gunn's Superman (2025) is an ambitious, densely plotted, and surprisingly thoughtful reboot that does what few superhero reimaginings manage: it injects fresh thematic complexity while still reverently embracing the spirit of its iconic source. In David Corenswet, we find a Superman who is earnest, wounded, and gloriously conflicted. His performance grounds a film that otherwise swings big, fast, and often weird.
The film establishes the familiar mythos—Krypton's destruction, a baby rocketed to Earth, a dual identity in Metropolis—but quickly complicates it. Unlike previous iterations, this Superman’s legacy is marred by a corrupted farewell message from his Kryptonian parents, revealed midway through the film to advocate not peace, but conquest. It's a bold twist that allows the film to explore the philosophical weight of inherited legacy, the trust of nations, and how myths shape public perception.
The supporting cast is stacked and busy. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is wry and determined. Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor is both suave and sinister, a Bond villain in a lab coat whose narcissistic vision of Earth pits him against the Man of Steel. His secret use of Ultraman—a genetically engineered Superman clone—to frame and destabilise the real Kal-El is a masterstroke of both plot and character tension. Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific and Isabella Merced’s Hawkgirl add gravitas and charisma, while Anthony Carrigan’s Metamorpho unexpectedly steals scenes as a tragic, grounded newcomer to the Justice Gang.
The action sequences are spectacular and, at times, overwhelming. A city-tearing black hole, a kaiju attack, a Justice Gang assault on an invading army—this is a blockbuster that never skimps on scale. But Gunn's direction ensures the emotional beats are never lost beneath the visual spectacle.
Tonally, Superman walks a tightrope between satirical political commentary and sincere superhero pathos. The Boravian invasion subplot, which invokes current global politics, adds a layer of moral grey that feels earned. Luthor’s manipulation of international tensions for personal gain is not just comic book villainy—it’s disturbingly plausible. The film doesn’t shy away from hard questions about power, surveillance, and trust.
There’s humour, too. The Superman robots, voiced by an ensemble of James Gunn favourites, offer some of the film’s lightest moments. And Krypto—yes, Superman’s dog—gets a full arc, both rescuing Clark and being kidnapped by Lex. It's a testament to Gunn's confidence that he can fold so many disparate tones and characters into a cohesive narrative.
David Corenswet is a revelation. His Superman radiates kindness without naivety, strength without arrogance. He embodies the best of the character’s hopeful idealism while wrestling with the burden of being Earth's most powerful alien. His chemistry with Brosnahan is charming, lived-in, and mature, lending emotional weight to the film’s central relationship.
Ultimately, Superman is about more than just the hero—it’s about legacy, misinformation, redemption, and the choice to be good. It’s not flawless—some viewers may find the pacing uneven or the plot too dense—but Gunn’s bold vision makes this easily the best Superman film since Superman II, and arguably the most thoughtful superhero film in many-a-year.
Kara Zor-El’s throwaway cameo hints at where the DCU is headed, but even without sequels, Superman soars. It’s funny, furious, frighteningly relevant, and—most of all—full of heart. Just like the man in the cape should be.
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