Superman: Brighter Yes, but Also More Erratic (Review)

New Direction for Superman: Brighter and Unpredictable

The film Superman (2025) marks the highly anticipated launch of the new DC Universe, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Intended to distance itself from the previous Snyder era, the movie aims to lay the groundwork for a revised universe characterized by a cheerier, more hopeful tone, reminiscent of the comic book character’s early days. Despite this clear ambition, the film’s reception has been notably divided, leaving many viewers undecided on its overall success. While critics generally describe this iteration of Superman as brighter, they also find him unpredictable.

A significant point of discussion surrounding the film relates to James Gunn’s stated philosophy that, by 2025, there is no longer a need to rehash the same origin stories for established heroes. He argues against repeating familiar sequences such as Martha Wayne’s pearls, Spider-Man’s spider bite, or Kal-El’s arrival on Earth, suggesting that classic narratives should make way for other character aspects. Superman (2025) adopts this approach by immediately immersing viewers in a world where humans and superhumans coexist, much like in Jurassic World: Renaissance, with metahumans being a regular part of daily life. While this setup is designed to intrigue, some viewers found the execution led to confusion rather than curiosity.

This eagerness to introduce a world already teeming with existing superheroes proves to be a central challenge for the film. In its roughly 120-minute runtime, the movie struggles with an overload of characters, many of whom are introduced too quickly, leaving the narrative feeling rushed and difficult to fully grasp. This dense character roster, including Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Guy Gardner, Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, the Engineer, Rick Flag, Maxwell Lord, Superman’s adoptive and biological parents, Krypto, Supergirl, and the entire Daily Planet staff, comes at the cost of clear storytelling. The result is a collection of largely underdeveloped characters, some appearing for only brief moments and lacking meaningful dramatic impact.

Character-specific critiques highlight these issues. For instance, the inclusion of Metamorpho and his child left some viewers bewildered, especially given the questionable visual effects used for these characters, which reminded some of The Flash’s less successful moments. The “Justice Gang,” seemingly a precursor to a future Justice League, also failed to impress. While Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl had promising potential, their characters ultimately functioned as mere narrative props rather than fully fleshed-out heroes. Mr. Terrific, however, managed to achieve some coherent development, though his intellectual prowess largely overshadowed his martial skills. Lois Lane, portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan, was well-written in the film’s first half, radiating charm, determination, and intelligence. However, she receded into the background during the second half, becoming little more than an accessory, even inexplicably piloting a spaceship, which viewers considered a missed opportunity given her initial potential.

Nicholas Hoult’s Misguided Lex Luthor and Charming Live-Action Krypto in Superman (2025)

Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor also garnered criticism. Despite Hoult’s talent, demonstrated in films like Clint Eastwood’s Jury #2, the character he played was poorly written. Luthor’s introduction initially showed promise but quickly devolved into an “annoying ham act.” Critics attributed this less to misinterpretation by the actor and more to issues with direction and character development. James Gunn’s intent to depict a volatile, unstable Luthor reportedly resulted in a caricature, lacking the subtlety some viewers desired, drawing parallels to Jesse Eisenberg’s over-the-top portrayal in the Snyderverse. In contrast, one of the film’s most pleasant surprises was Krypto, Superman’s dog. Initial skepticism about his live-action presence was dispelled by his effective CGI representation, which, inspired by James Gunn’s real-life dog, charmed audiences without resorting to overly exaggerated anthropomorphism, adding a welcome emotional touch.

Superman (2025): A More Human Kal-El and Vibrant Art Direction Controversy

David Corenswet’s performance as Superman, however, received significant praise. He successfully captured the traditional Superman essence—tall stature, intense gaze, and strong jawline—while also injecting a more human dimension into the character. Corenswet offers a kinder, friendlier, and more empathetic Kal-El compared to previous iterations, showing concern for ordinary individuals, from children to squirrels, much like in the original comics. This humanized version of Superman elicits mixed reactions: some viewers may miss the invincible, often aloof portrayal, while others appreciate the focus on the man behind the cape, exploring his struggles and flaws. The approach resembled the tone of Smallville or Lois & Clark, with hints of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. However, some found this human touch occasionally veered into imitation or felt more akin to a high-end television production, largely due to its overly vibrant, even flashy, art direction, making the film resemble an animated comic book but lacking its depth.

Superman (2025): Flashy Spectacle vs. Emotional Depth – Mixed Audience Response

The film’s script felt jumbled, and its editing was haphazard, making the narrative difficult to follow. While die-hard DC fans might appreciate the numerous references, general audiences may find Superman messy, loud, and flashy, ultimately lacking emotional depth. Many fans had hoped for a cinematic experience akin to Guardians of the Galaxy’s successful blend of action, humor, and emotion, but the film reportedly missed this mark, offering an uneven, at times awkward, and superficial experience.

Overall, Superman (2025) is rated as a 5/10. While it aimed to revitalize a struggling universe by presenting a more human and relatable Superman, and despite David Corenswet’s sincere performance and moments of grace, the film is clouded by its excessive characters, subplots, and flashy effects. In attempting to build an entire universe from its opening chapter, the film appears to have overlooked the fundamental need for a solid, standalone, coherent, and emotionally engaging narrative. Superman (2025) is neither a disaster nor a resounding success; rather, it is a mixed and uneven offering, reflecting the pressures of franchise filmmaking balancing narrative ambition with industrial demands. It remains to be seen whether this rocky start will allow the upcoming DC Universe to find its footing and tell its stories with greater coherence and depth.

In Case You Missed It

In today’s digital age, where corporate giants wield significant influence, it’s crucial to question their motives and actions more rigorously. Ahmed Hassan dives deep into this theme in his thought-provoking piece “Microsoft, Lex Luthor, and the Malice of Corporate Mindset,” published on July 5, 2025. Hassan draws an intriguing parallel between Microsoft’s corporate practices and the nefarious deeds of DC Comics’ villain Lex Luthor, focusing on ethical dilemmas such as profit-driven layoffs and controversial investments in AI that could undermine human rights. For a detailed exploration of these issues and to learn about a crowdfunding campaign aiming for positive change, be sure to check out his insightful post Microsoft, Lex Luthor, and the Malice of Corporate Mindset. If you’re a fan of Superman or just looking for the latest in superhero film reviews, be sure to check out Sophie Laurent’s “First Reviews Arrive for James Gunn’s Superman Film” (July 8, 2025), where she dives into the buzz surrounding “Superman: Gods and Monsters.” With David Corenswet stepping into the iconic cape as Clark Kent/Superman, critics are weighing in on his captivating performance alongside Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane. Sophie explores both the praises and critiques of James Gunn’s direction, offering insights that every DC enthusiast should read. First Reviews Arrive for James Gunn’s Superman Film For those who are fans of thought-provoking cinema and aren’t afraid to dive into some heated debate, make sure to read Marcus Thompson’s latest piece on James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film. Published on July 8, 2025, this article delves into how the director is using the classic superhero narrative to explore contemporary political themes and moral dilemmas. With a cast including Nathan Fillion and Sean Gunn, and an expanded DC Universe, the film promises to be both entertaining and controversial. Head over to our blog James Gunn Tells Critics to ‘Buzz Off’ After Revealing Superman Has Political Messages for a closer look at how Gunn’s vision is shaping the future of superhero films.