Superman (2025), directed by James Gunn, is a cinematic triumph that breathes new life into the iconic superhero while staying true to the heart of what makes the character endure. With a bold narrative that weaves together themes of family, immigration, and geopolitical commentary, this reboot delivers a visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and socially relevant take on the Man of Steel. Starring David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as a chilling Lex Luthor, the film is a masterful blend of action, heart, and moral complexity. Clocking in at 2 hours and 9 minutes,Superman is a PG-13 epic that balances spectacle with substance, offering a fresh perspective on a hero who has been a cultural touchstone for nearly a century. This review will explore the film’s innovative storyline, its emphasis on family and immigration, its daring political allegory, and its technical and emotional achievements, all while celebrating why this is the Superman we need in 2025.
A Bold New Storyline: Echoes of Brightburn with a Heroic Heart
One of the most striking aspects of Superman (2025) is its narrative ambition, which draws inspiration from the darker, subversive tone of Brightburn (2019) while remaining steadfastly heroic. Unlike Brightburn, where a superpowered alien child descends into villainy, Gunn’s Superman flips the premise, exploring what happens when an alien with godlike abilities chooses compassion over destruction. The film opens with a bruised and battered Superman (David Corenswet), three years into his public career, grappling with the weight of his role as Metropolis’s protector. The introductory title cards inform us that it’s been three decades since Kal-El crash-landed on Earth, setting the stage for a story that dives into his dual identity as both a Kryptonian and a human raised in Kansas.
The central conflict revolves around Superman’s intervention in a war between two fictional nations, Boravia and Jarhanpur. Boravia, a technologically advanced U.S. ally with a vaguely Eastern European aesthetic, seeks to displace the indigenous, Middle Eastern-coded Jarhanpurians in a settler-colonial project. The parallels to real-world geopolitics are unmistakable, but more on that later. This conflict serves as the backbone of the film, with Superman caught between his desire to save lives and the political ramifications of his actions. Unlike Brightburn, which leaned into horror and nihilism, Superman uses its darker elements to underscore the hero’s moral clarity. Where Brightburn’s Brandon Breyer embraced his alien power to dominate, Kal-El rejects the temptation to impose his will, choosing instead to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice.
This narrative choice sets Superman apart from previous iterations. While Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013) explored Superman’s alienation through gritty realism, and Christopher Reeve’s Superman (1978) leaned into campy optimism, Gunn finds a middle ground. The film is neither overly dour nor excessively light; it’s a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be a hero in a world that doesn’t always value heroism. The Brightburn-like premise—What if an alien with limitless power arrived on Earth?—is reframed as a meditation on choice. Superman’s decision to be a force for good, despite the chaos around him, makes the film feel both timeless and urgently relevant.
The Heart of the Story: Family as Superman’s Anchor
At its core, Superman (2025) is a story about family, both biological and chosen. The film delves deeply into Clark Kent’s relationship with his adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell), who ground him in human values. Early scenes in Smallville are some of the film’s most poignant, showing a young Clark learning to control his powers under his parents’ patient guidance. These moments are beautifully understated, with Vince and Howell delivering performances that radiate warmth and quiet strength. A particularly moving scene sees Jonathan teaching Clark to fix a tractor, using the moment to impart a lesson about responsibility: “You’ve got all this power, son, but it’s what you do with it that makes you who you are.” This line encapsulates the film’s thesis, echoing the Kents’ role as the moral compass that shapes Superman’s heroism.
The theme of family extends beyond the Kents to Superman’s connections with Lois Lane and his colleagues at the Daily Planet. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois is a revelation—a whip-smart journalist whose tenacity matches Superman’s strength. Their romance is less about starry-eyed idealism and more about mutual respect, with Lois challenging Clark to confront the ethical dilemmas of his actions. A standout scene features Lois and Clark debating the morality of his intervention in the Boravia-Jarhanpur conflict, with Lois arguing that stopping one side might embolden another. Brosnahan imbues Lois with a fierce intelligence and vulnerability, making her a true partner rather than a damsel in distress.
The film also introduces Krypto, Superman’s super-powered dog, as a delightful nod to the character’s comic book roots. Voiced by Bradley Cooper, Krypto is both a comic relief and a symbol of loyalty, stealing scenes with his poorly trained antics and unwavering devotion to Clark. A moment where Krypto leaps into battle to protect Superman is both thrilling and heartwarming, proving that even a super-dog can embody the film’s focus on family. These relationships—Clark with the Kents, Lois, and Krypto—anchor the film’s high-stakes action, reminding us that Superman’s strength comes not just from his Kryptonian heritage but from the love and values instilled by his human family.
Superman as Immigrant: A Powerful Allegory
James Gunn has been vocal about Superman (2025) being an “immigrant story,” a theme that resonates deeply in a world grappling with xenophobia and border disputes. The film leans into Superman’s origin as Kal-El, a refugee from the destroyed planet Krypton, sent to Earth by his parents to escape annihilation. This narrative, rooted in the character’s creation by Jewish immigrants Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, is foregrounded with sensitivity and boldness. David Corenswet, the first Jewish actor to play Superman, brings a nuanced gravitas to the role, embodying both the alien outsider and the all-American hero. His performance captures the tension of living between two worlds, a struggle that resonates with immigrant experiences worldwide.
The film’s pro-immigration stance is woven into its narrative without feeling preachy. Superman’s intervention in the Boravia-Jarhanpur conflict is framed as a defense of the displaced Jarhanpurians, who are depicted as non-white, indigenous people facing a settler-colonial power. Scenes of Jarhanpurians marching toward a metal fence, clutching makeshift weapons and a flag bearing Superman’s symbol, evoke powerful imagery of refugees seeking hope amidst oppression. These moments are handled with care, emphasizing Superman’s role as a protector of the marginalized rather than a savior imposing his will. The film’s message is clear: immigrants, like Superman, bring strength and humanity to their adopted homes, challenging the nativism that seeks to exclude them.
This theme has sparked controversy, particularly among right-leaning critics who view the film’s politics as “woke.” Yet, as Gunn has noted, Superman’s immigrant identity is not a new invention but a core aspect of his mythos. The film’s emphasis on “basic human kindness” as a value worth defending feels like a natural extension of the character’s history, created by two Jewish teens during a time of global antisemitism. By casting Corenswet and foregrounding this narrative, Superman (2025) honors its roots while speaking to contemporary issues, making it a powerful rebuttal to anti-immigrant rhetoric.
A Daring Parody: Netanyahu and the Israel-Palestine Allegory
Perhaps the most audacious element of Superman (2025) is its geopolitical allegory, which many viewers have interpreted as a commentary on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The fictional nations of Boravia and Jarhanpur serve as stand-ins, with Boravia’s leader, Vasil Glarkos (Zlatko Buric), bearing a striking resemblance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Glarkos is depicted as a cunning, authoritarian figure who collaborates with Lex Luthor to advance Boravia’s aggressive expansion into Jarhanpur. The Jarhanpurians, portrayed as an indigenous, Middle Eastern-coded people, face displacement and violence, with imagery that evokes the Gaza conflict—arid landscapes, modest clothing, and a heavily militarized border.
Gunn has been careful not to explicitly confirm the allegory, stating that the film is “about politics” and “morality” rather than a direct critique of any real-world conflict. However, the parallels are hard to ignore, especially given the film’s release on July 11, 2025, amidst ongoing global debates about the Israel-Palestine situation. The Boravian-Jarhanpur conflict is not a simplistic metaphor; it’s a nuanced exploration of power dynamics, colonialism, and the role of external actors like the U.S. and Lex Luthor, who supplies Boravia with advanced weaponry. A particularly chilling scene shows Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) orchestrating a social media campaign to vilify Superman, mirroring real-world propaganda tactics.
The parody of Netanyahu through Glarkos is both bold and risky. Buric’s performance is layered, portraying Glarkos as a charismatic yet ruthless leader who justifies his actions as necessary for Boravia’s security. This characterization avoids caricature, instead offering a critique of authoritarianism and militarism. A standout moment sees Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) confronting Glarkos in a dramatic aerial sequence, symbolizing resistance to unchecked power. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the human cost of the conflict, with scenes of Jarhanpurian families caught in the crossfire, yet it maintains Superman’s idealism by having him focus on saving lives rather than picking sides.
Critics have been divided on this allegory, with some praising its courage and others accusing it of being too on-the-nose. Social media platforms like X have buzzed with reactions, with one user calling it “a powerful and clear commentary on the senseless genocide against Palestinians” while others decry it as “anti-Israel.” Regardless of one’s interpretation, the allegory elevates Superman (2025) beyond typical superhero fare, challenging audiences to think critically about justice, power, and humanity. By using fictional nations, Gunn sidesteps direct political endorsement while still engaging with “current ethical questions,” as he put it, making the film a conversation starter rather than a polemic.
Technical Brilliance and Performances
Beyond its thematic depth, Superman (2025) is a technical marvel. Gunn’s direction is confident, blending his signature humor and heart with the epic scope required for a Superman film. The cinematography by Henry Braham is breathtaking, with sweeping shots of Metropolis contrasting with the stark, arid landscapes of Jarhanpur. The action sequences are kinetic yet coherent, avoiding the quick-cut chaos of some superhero films. A climactic battle involving Superman, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) against a Luthor-engineered creature is a visual spectacle, blending comic book flair with Gunn’s penchant for quirky, visceral action.
The performances are uniformly excellent. Corenswet is a revelation as Superman, balancing vulnerability and strength with a charisma that recalls Christopher Reeve while forging his own path. His Clark Kent is endearingly awkward, while his Superman radiates quiet resolve. Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is a standout, bringing wit and gravitas to a character who could easily have been overshadowed. Hoult’s Lex Luthor is a chilling departure from past portrayals, channeling a tech-bro sociopathy that feels ripped from headlines about figures like Elon Musk. The supporting cast, including Nathan Fillion as a sardonic Guy Gardner/Green Lantern and Skyler Gisondo as a hapless Jimmy Olsen, adds humor and depth.
The score by John Murphy is another highlight, blending triumphant orchestral themes with quieter, emotional cues. The return of Superman’s classic red trunks, a nod to Joe Shuster’s original design, is a visual triumph, symbolizing the film’s embrace of the character’s roots while updating him for 2025. Even the much-debated wide-angle lenses, which some found disorienting in trailers, enhance the film’s dynamic energy, making every flight and punch feel larger than life.
Emotional Resonance and Cultural Impact
Superman (2025) succeeds because it understands what makes the character enduring: his unwavering belief in humanity, even when humanity falters. The film’s exploration of family grounds Superman’s heroism in relatable terms, while its immigrant narrative and geopolitical allegory make it a bold statement in a polarized world. It’s a film that dares to ask big questions—What does it mean to be a hero? How do we navigate power and morality?—without losing sight of the hope and kindness that define Superman.
The film’s release has sparked intense discussion, particularly around its political themes. Some have criticized its pro-immigration stance and alleged anti-Trump undertones, with right-wing commentators labeling it “woke.” Yet, as The Guardian noted, Superman has always been about “subverting the powerful” and “sticking up for the underdogs.” This is not a new, politicized Superman but a return to the character’s roots as a champion of justice, created by immigrants who saw him as a symbol of hope in a world on the brink.
For fans, the film is a love letter to Superman’s legacy, packed with Easter eggs like Krypto and cameos from other DC heroes. For newcomers, it’s an accessible entry point that doesn’t require knowledge of the comics. The film’s flaws—an occasionally rushed pace and overstuffed subplots—are minor compared to its ambition and heart. It’s a reminder that Superman, in all his earnestness, remains a beacon of hope in a cynical age.
Conclusion: A Superman for Our Time
James Gunn’s Superman (2025) is a triumph that soars above its predecessors, blending the subversive edge of Brightburn with the optimism of classic Superman stories. Its emphasis on family, from the Kents to Krypto, grounds the film in emotional truth, while its pro-immigration message and daring geopolitical allegory make it a bold commentary on our world. David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult deliver performances that elevate the material, supported by stunning visuals and a heartfelt score. At a time when division and cynicism dominate, Superman reminds us that kindness, justice, and hope are worth fighting for. It’s not just a superhero movie; it’s a cultural event that redefines the Man of Steel for a new generation. As one X user put it, “It’s a beautiful and much-needed film.” Indeed, it’s a bird, it’s a plane—it’s the Superman we need in 2025.My nephew, sister, and I enjoyed it very much. The AMC theater we attended was nearly full. Everyone applauded at the end, laughed during the comedic parts of the film, and voiced a collective "awww" when Krypto the dog was presented. Despite criticism online from people who had not even seen the film, the movie does not contain "woke" content. There is some mild swearing and,, of course violence due to the fighting. It is a must-see!!
Citations:
[](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2025/07/10/is-james-gunns-superman-movie-critical-of-israel/)
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