Directed by: James Gunn

Starring: David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), and several others.

Overview: Superman attempts to relaunch the iconic hero for a new generation, blending classic themes of hope, sacrifice, and identity with modern questions about power and responsibility. As Christians, we often recognize parallels between Superman’s mythos and Christ-like imagery, truth, sacrifice, and savior symbolism. This new installment leans heavily into that, for better and for worse.

Strengths:

Themes of Sacrifice and Hope: The film reclaims Superman as a moral compass in a cynical age. Clark’s struggles to balance his power with humility echo gospel reminders that true strength is found in serving others. There are moments when his sacrificial choices remind viewers of Christ’s willingness to lay down His life for humanity.

• Solid Performances: David Corenswet brings a fresh, earnest humanity to Clark Kent. His Superman feels more like a compassionate shepherd than an untouchable god. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane adds intelligence and moral clarity—echoing the idea of truth-seeking we find in Proverbs.
• Uplifting Tone: Unlike some darker superhero films, this one aims for light. The hope it offers can be a conversation starter about how our ultimate hope is not in earthly “supermen,” but in Christ alone.
• Visuals and Action: The visual effects are impressive, with flight and rescue scenes that feel weighty but wondrous. There’s a genuine sense of awe that reminds us of the grandeur of creation itself.

Weaknesses:

Shallow exploration of deeper questions: The film hints at big moral and spiritual questions: Should power ever be unchecked? What does it mean to be a savior but often pulls back before wrestling with them meaningfully. It sometimes feels more like marketing hope than exploring its cost. I do understand the movie has a time constraint.

Uneven pacing: At over 2.5 hours, the film struggles in the middle act. Subplots (political corruption, alien threats) muddy the core story of Clark’s identity and sacrifice.

Underdeveloped villain: The antagonist lacks the ideological weight that a Superman story needs. A compelling villain who challenges Superman’s ideals could have deepened the film’s moral stakes—think Lex Luthor as a human counterpoint to Clark’s selflessness.

Should Christians watch it?

If you enjoy superhero films that lean into goodness, Superman is mostly wholesome, avoids gratuitous content, and offers plenty of themes for thoughtful family discussion. It’s not a theological masterpiece, but it can spark talk about real hope, real sacrifice, and why humanity yearns for a Savior far greater than Clark Kent.

Final Verdict: A bright, if imperfect, flight that invites us to look up—but reminds us to look higher still. I really enjoyed the film and can’t wait to see where the Superman story goes from here.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)