Superman

2025

Directed by James Gunn

★★★★½ (9.5/10)

Spoiler Warning: This review contains plot details and character reveals from Superman.

I’ll admit upfront that my feelings about James Gunn’s Superman might still be colored by the adrenaline rush of seeing the Man of Steel soar across the big screen for the first time in eight years. But even accounting for that lingering excitement, I have to say I loved this movie. Gunn has definitively succeeded in rebooting not only Superman but the entire DC Universe for a new generation. Kids who see this film today will very likely think of David Corenswet as their Superman in the same way my generation sees Christopher Reeve as our Superman.

A Universe Reborn

From the opening moments, Superman presents us with a lived-in world of metahumans with genuine history. Title cards inform us that metahumans first appeared on Earth 300 years ago—a tantalizing detail that promises rich storytelling possibilities as this cinematic universe expands. Superman has been active for three years as the most powerful being on the planet, but as we meet established heroes like Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific, and Metamorpho, we understand we’re stepping into a vast world with endless potential.

The film’s tone represents everything that was missing from recent Superman iterations. Where Zack Snyder gave us a darker, grittier take on the character, Gunn delivers a return to form—colorful, hopeful, and unabashedly optimistic. This feels like the Superman whose adventures I grew up reading and loving. Yes, Gunn’s signature humor is present, but it never overshadows the film’s central themes about humanity and heroism. The comedy enhances rather than undermines what it truly means to be Superman.

Corenswet Soars

David Corenswet possesses that ineffable quality that makes a definitive Superman. While we see relatively little of the Clark Kent “persona”—this is very much Superman’s movie—what we do get brilliantly echoes Christopher Reeve’s dual portrayal. Corenswet shows us distinct differences between Clark and Superman that go far beyond a pair of glasses, manifesting in voice, attitude, and physicality.

The film’s emotional core stems from a damaged holographic message from Jor-El and Lara. Superman initially only receives half their final words—the part urging him to serve humanity. When he later discovers the complete message revealing their hope that he would rule over humanity, his crisis of identity feels genuinely devastating. It’s his adoptive father, Pa Kent, who delivers the film’s most powerful moment: “Your choices, your actions… That’s what makes you who you are.” This scene brought tears to my eyes—father/son moments usually do—but it perfectly encapsulates Superman’s moral foundation.

A Supporting Cast That Shines

Rachel Brosnahan may have delivered the definitive Lois Lane. For years, I considered Smallville‘s Erica Durance my favorite version of the character, but Brosnahan’s performance, coupled with phenomenal writing, gives us a believably talented investigative journalist. The interview scene where Lois interrogates Superman showcases a reporter who asks tough questions unapologetically, refusing to back down. This Lois isn’t relegated to damsel-in-distress status—there’s even a moment where Superman acknowledges that she saved him.

The Clark/Lois relationship feels authentic and lived-in. We’re thrown into their three-month romance at a crossroads, with Lois uncertain about their future while Clark knows without question that this is love. Their chemistry makes this relationship completely believable.

Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor stands as a towering achievement, rivaling Michael Rosenbaum’s Smallville interpretation for the definitive version. Hoult brings terrifying menace to the role—overconfident, manipulative, and surrounded by followers who border on cultish devotion. Early scenes show us a calm, collected Lex who can face down a furious Superman without flinching. As his plans unravel, we witness his internal collapse, complete with rage that would make the Hulk envious.

The Justice Gang and Krypto

The supporting heroes receive perfect amounts of screen time, never overwhelming Superman’s story while making us eager for future DCU projects. Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner captures the character’s abrasive personality and iconic bowl cut perfectly—comic relief that manages to remain genuinely unlikeable, exactly as Guy Gardner should be.

Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific proves to be one of Superman’s most valuable allies throughout the film. His technological expertise and strategic mind make him instrumental in both the investigation of Luthor’s schemes and the eventual rescue mission into the pocket dimension. The character’s intellect and resourcefulness shine through in every scene, positioning him as a crucial figure in this new DCU. Gathegi brings a grounded confidence to the role that makes Mr. Terrific feel like a natural leader among this ensemble of heroes.

Anthony Carrigan’s Metamorpho provides the film’s most heartbreaking subplot. With his infant son held hostage, he’s forced to recreate kryptonite’s effects to imprison Superman. Watching him witness Luthor commit murder in cold blood nearly breaks the Element Man, and Carrigan sells every moment of that emotional devastation.

But the real scene-stealer is Krypto the Superdog. Far more than comic relief, Krypto serves crucial plot functions—rescuing a broken Superman, helping him escape Luthor’s pocket dimension prison, and arriving for the final battle against Ultraman. The “not-so-good-good-boy” characterization feels perfectly authentic to anyone who’s owned a beloved but mischievous dog. When Superman tells Krypto to “get the toy” during the climactic battle, and Krypto proceeds to grab and destroy rather than retrieve, it’s both hilarious and tactically effective.

Themes That Matter

Superman works as both spectacular entertainment and meaningful allegory. Superman embodies the immigrant experience—an alien who becomes Earth’s greatest protector, yet faces fear and suspicion from those who can’t see past his origins. Lex Luthor, the multi-billionaire, desperately sells a narrative that this immigrant represents danger, unable to acknowledge the good Superman has accomplished. During the climactic confrontation, Superman delivers a brief but powerful speech about humanity being his greatest strength, not his weakness.

The film’s technical elements largely succeed. While the CGI isn’t flawless—what superhero movie’s is?—the flying sequences convince us that a man can fly, and both the kaiju battle and final confrontation deliver spectacular action. The costume design, particularly the return of the red trunks, serves the character perfectly. As Corenswet and Gunn have explained in interviews, Superman intentionally looks somewhat ridiculous to make himself accessible to children who might otherwise fear his immense power.

Minor Quibbles

My only real complaint involves Ultraman’s origins as a Superman clone. Comics continuity suggests such cloning typically fails, resulting in various Bizarro iterations. The successful Superboy clone required mixing Superman’s DNA with Lex Luthor’s. Additionally, the name “Ultraman” carries heavy multiverse implications, traditionally referring to Earth-3’s evil Superman. But if that’s my sole criticism of an otherwise exceptional film, I consider it minor.

A Bright Future

Superman succeeds brilliantly at universe-building without sacrificing its own story. The 129-minute runtime feels perfect—I never once checked my phone, entertained from start to finish. Compared to recent superhero films, this represents a breath of fresh air: hopeful and optimistic in a world that gives us precious little to anticipate with joy.

Based on what we see here, I’m genuinely excited for next year’s Supergirl, another season of Peacemaker, the planned Lanterns HBO series, and whatever roles await Guy Gardner and Mr. Terrific. More than ever, I trust James Gunn as the architect of the DCU moving forward.

Superman reminds us why this character has endured for nearly a century. In David Corenswet’s capable hands and James Gunn’s thoughtful direction, the Man of Steel soars once again, carrying with him the hope that maybe, just maybe, tomorrow will be better than today.