It’s been over a year since James Gunn’s Superman hit theaters, and the cinematic landscape is still feeling the aftershocks.
For nearly two decades, the character of Superman was trapped in a creative tug-of-war. Audiences and studios alike seemed convinced that to make the “Man of Tomorrow” relevant, he needed to be brooding, conflicted, and draped in shadows. We got deconstructions, dystopias, and endless debates about whether a boy scout could actually be interesting.
Then came James Gunn’s Superman.
With a bright primary-colored suit, a soaring, optimistic score, and a story that dared to suggest kindness is a superpower, the film didn’t just reboot a franchise; it healed a fractured relationship between a beloved character and his audience.
Now that the dust has settled and the new DC Universe is officially in motion, it’s the perfect time to look back at why this specific iteration of Superman isn’t just a good movie—it’s the definitive modern take on the character.
🌻 1. Clark Kent is the Real Person; Superman is the Mask
For a long time, Hollywood treated “Clark Kent” as a clumsy, bumbling disguise Superman puts on to fool the world. Gunn’s film brilliantly flips this script.
David Corenswet’s portrayal leans heavily into the idea that Clark Kent—the farm boy from Smallville who loves his adoptive parents, struggles with imposter syndrome, and genuinely cares about the people he interviews at the Daily Planet—is the real person. “Superman” is simply the tool he uses to help people on a larger scale.
This grounding makes the character infinitely more relatable. When he flies, it’s not an expression of godlike superiority; it’s the act of a deeply empathetic man who has the unique ability to catch someone when they fall. Corenswet captures that earnest, midwestern warmth perfectly, making us believe in the man behind the cape.
📝 2. Lois Lane is Finally a True Partner
You cannot have a great Superman story without a great Lois Lane, and Rachel Brosnahan absolutely nails it.
Gone are the days of Lois being a passive damsel in distress or a mere romantic plot device. Brosnahan’s Lois is a sharp, relentless, Pulitzer-hungry investigative journalist who is often three steps ahead of everyone else in the room.
The chemistry between her and Corenswet’s Clark isn’t built on melodramatic longing; it’s built on mutual respect, intellectual sparring, and a shared commitment to the truth. She doesn’t need saving; she needs a partner. And the film treats their relationship as the emotional anchor of the entire story.
🧠 3. A Lex Luthor for the Modern Era
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is a masterclass in subtle, chilling villainy.
Previous iterations often leaned into Lex’s manic ego or overt megalomania. Hoult plays him as a terrifyingly calm, hyper-intelligent tech billionaire. He doesn’t yell; he whispers. He doesn’t hate Superman because he’s an alien; he hates him because Superman’s mere existence makes human achievement look inadequate.
Hoult’s Lex is a mirror to our modern anxieties about unchecked corporate power, the cult of personality, and the danger of men who believe their intellect gives them the right to play god. It’s a villainous turn that feels ripped from today’s headlines, making the ideological battle between him and Superman deeply resonant.
🎨 4. The Aesthetic of Hope
Visually, the film is a breath of fresh air. Cinematographer Henry Braham bathes Metropolis in warm, golden-hour sunlight. The city looks like a place of tomorrow—sleek, vibrant, and full of life, rather than a grim, rain-slicked Gotham clone.
The costume design also deserves massive praise. The suit is a love letter to the classic comic books, featuring the iconic red trunks, a textured, alien-looking fabric, and a cape that actually flows like fabric in the wind. It’s a visual reminder that it’s okay for superheroes to look like superheroes.
🌍 5. It Proved Optimism Isn’t Naive
The greatest achievement of Gunn’s Superman is its thematic core. The movie actively argues that cynicism is easy, but hope is a choice.
In a world (both on-screen and off) that often feels divided and bleak, Superman’s refusal to compromise his moral code isn’t portrayed as a weakness or a relic of the past. It’s portrayed as a radical, revolutionary act. The film’s climax doesn’t hinge on who can punch harder; it hinges on Superman’s ability to inspire ordinary people to be extraordinary.
It reminds us that the most powerful thing Superman does isn’t lifting a building or flying faster than a speeding bullet. It’s giving people a reason to believe in the best version of themselves.
A New Gold Standard
When James Gunn and Peter Safran took the reins of DC Studios, the skepticism was palpable. Could they really course-correct a franchise that had stumbled for years?
Superman answered that question with a resounding, earth-shattering “Yes.”
It is a film that respects its legacy while boldly stepping into the future. It’s funny, heartfelt, visually spectacular, and above all, deeply human. It proved that you don’t need to deconstruct a hero to make them interesting; sometimes, you just need to let them be great.
As the DC Universe expands with Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Authority, and beyond, this film will stand as the bedrock. It set a tone of boundless optimism, and thankfully, it’s a tone that the world is more than ready to embrace.
