What Superman (2025) means to me.

Superman, a film directed and written by James Gunn (who directed all three Guardians of the Galaxy movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe), has made me feel more seen and understood than any other movie I’ve ever seen. Not only does it strike a resonant chord with my values and outlook on the world, it also is a cathartic, validating and comforting book end to the years of chaos, sadness, loneliness and self doubting caused by the COVID 19 pandemic and all that came from it.

Historically I have been a Batman fan. Several times in my childhood I requested Batman themed birthday parties, and cherished all of my batman toys and capes and religiously watched the various Batman and DC cartoons and shows that were available to watch when I was younger (The Batman (the cartoon not the movie), Batman Brave and the Bold, Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited). But that didn’t stop me from loving other DC characters as well; I particularly enjoy the Flash (Wally West Flash though), the Green Arrow and any of the Green Lanterns. My dad loves Superman, its probably his favorite superhero. I never thought Superman was boring, or corny, or stupid or whatever else some people may think about a character that can do basically anything and save the day 99 times out of 100 (at least in most iterations); rather I just wasn’t as interested in him. I have some Superman comics from the 80s and 90s that I’ve collected – actually I have more Superman comics than I do Batman comics. I appreciated his values and the fact that he does whatever he can do do what is right, but that didn’t stop Batman from just being more badass in my eyes.

As I age (I’m 21 currently) I find myself relating to and finding characters that try day in and day out to do what they believe is good and right more enjoyable. I see all the evils of the world, they are beamed into my eyes and even if I cast my sight away I would absorb knowledge of these evils through osmosis from interacting with others. I wish things could be different, I wish the world could be a better place.

Superman (2025) faces an egotistical business man who manipulates government structures and international diplomacy by way of secret dealings and misinformation in order to get the results he wants. There is something deeper, something more psychological at the root of Lex Luthor’s actions beyond pure hatred or fear, it’s a need to be important, its a need to be revered by others, like Superman is. I see Superman and Luthor’s actions as being representative of the ways people deal with and overcome hardship; they can either stay true to what the know is right or they can skirt common decency and act out of self interest. Human suffering and emotional hardships are not new, but for some, the chaos, the removal of structure and meaning that the COVID lock downs of 2020 created were too much for many people to handle. We saw it in our personal lives and online. People resorted to conspiracy theory, to self isolating, to belief systems sold to them as a band aid for the pain they feel inside, they resorted to violence or even suicide. It’s too much for me to give justice in this piece, there were so many cogs and levers involved in the turmoil of the COVID era. I noticed myself resorting to darker media in order to make sense of my feelings about the world around me; Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049, Oppenheimer, Red Dead Redemption 2, Apocalypse Now, etc… I am in no way slandering these pieces of art, they are beautiful, incredibly well made and important. However, the culture surrounding Blade Runner specifically I think told me that I was going to be forever alone. YOU ARE OFFICER K, NO ONE LIKES YOU, EVERYONE HATES YOU, YOU HAVE NO PURPOSE, YOU ARE ALONE. This is what the culture around specifically 2049 seemingly tells you, especially young men (which is funny because that’s sort of the opposite of what the movie is showing you). (It’s too much to get into, partially because I haven’t seen the movie in a hot minute but I remember that K did end up having purpose, he had a role in society and he fulfilled it.)

I really noticed this sort of thinking within myself roughly two years ago and have been trying to correct it. I used to be extremely worried about looking like a loser, ugly or like a dweeb in public, I hated my body and I was afraid of speaking to others out of fear that I would be inhibited by my stutter. But I came to the realization that everyone else is also a fucking weirdo, especially here in Oregon. I thought to myself, how many strangers do I even actually remember? Basically zero. Maybe I’m just different but I don’t catalogue and file away every person I’ve ever seen who I thought was weird or different or strange, so the odds are no one else does that either. I also was still feeling the effects of loneliness after moving to a new state and not having any dating life whatsoever (I still don’t really but whatever) and I realized that instead of yearning for friends or a romantic partner I can channel that energy and pool of love I have to give towards my family, towards the world around, towards my friends I’m still in contact with, and towards any strangers I may happen to interact with. Being nice isn’t just nice because you’re being nice to others, its also nice because you’re freeing yourself of the burden of hate and judgement. Hate, judgement and anger weighs on your soul and emotional well being more than any stress, sadness or loneliness ever will. Being good to others is being good to yourself.

Superman (2025) embodies these ideals of mine essentially to a T. It was an amazing experience, and after seeing how many people were touched by the film online, it was validating and vindicating. I love seeing new dads take their little boys to go see the movie because I know I would have loved to see this movie as a kid as well. It’s funny, it’s warm, its full of heart and it has style. Its sleek and it creates and effortless yet weighty feeling in every scene. I’m happy that so many young boys (and girls) are going to grow up with this movie as a role model.