This review contains mild spoilers.
In James Gunn’s Superman, the lighthearted, whimsical, film is brushed with the nostalgia of the early Superman films of the 80s with its bright cinematography and campy charm. In a real world that has become much darker than the fictional world created within the Snyderverse, this iteration is certainly needed right now. And is a breath of fresh air. And while there is certainly a special place for the previous crop of Superman films, the 2025 James Gunn release of Superman takes a bold, new, and ambitious take on Superman which sets the tone for what is to come in the new DC universe. Gunn’s vision threads emotional sincerity with his signature mix of humor, heart, and ensemble storytelling. The result is a fresh and unexpectedly poignant addition to the superhero genre that feels equally reverent to the comics and responsive to modern audiences.
David Corenswet steps into the red boots with a quiet strength and old-school charm. His version of Clark Kent is a man caught between worlds: Kryptonian legacy and Earthly compassion. A profound story arc is unearthed that exposes the weaponization of media and how the misinformation of it can be used to hurt and destroy others. Clark is caught between the past and the present with this conundrum. Gunn exposes here how the media deliberately misinterprets and can be destructive towards the lives and reputations of others.
Corenswet handles the duality of playing Clark Kent and Superman with genuine warmth. There’s an earnestness to his performance that evokes Christopher Reeve without mimicry. He’s idealistic but grounded, gentle but never naive. This Superman believes in people, and by the end of the film, you just might believe in him too. There’s a moment where he goes out of his way to save a tiny squirrel and that, at its core, is exactly who and what Superman represents.
Rachel Brosnahan is an absolute force as Lois Lane. Sharp, confident, and unrelenting, her portrayal reclaims the essence of Lois: a woman who can go toe-to-toe with gods and still get the story first. The chemistry between Brosnahan and Corenswet crackles — romantic, yes, but built on mutual respect and admiration. There’s an incredible scene between her and Corenswet where she sits down and interviews him. At this point in the film Lois knows Clark is Superman. In fact, that’s the beauty of this story, Lois and Clark already have established their relationship in truth with their identity. However, there’s still some hidden secrets that Lois still has yet to unearth from Clark, which is exposed in this interview. We get to dig a little deep into the psyche of not only these two characters but into their relationship as well.
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is perhaps the most fascinating interpretation since Gene Hackman. Eschewing cartoonish villainy, Hoult delivers a Luthor who is chilling in his intellect and deeply unsettling in his calm. Gunn reimagines Luthor as a tech mogul with disturbing political aspirations, making him feel all too real in 2025. He’s methodical, a bit charismatic at times and yet evil to the core. You could tell Hoult enjoyed playing this character and he really sunk his teeth into this role. There is a villainy to Lex that makes him more complicated than just someone who wants power and it was pretty compelling to see that unfold in this story.
Gunn’s love for ensemble shines, giving screen time and personality to lesser-known DC characters like Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Guy Gardner (a hilariously deadpan Nathan Fillion). In fact, Mister Terrific is in fact TERRIFIC in this film with a significant amount of screentime in the film. He gives some great quirky one-liners, has some hilarious moments and you really get to see the full scope of his powers come into play. Guy Gardner is comic-book accurate with his brash personality and that annoying bowl cut wig just adds to the hilarity of it all. Hawkgirl brings her A-game as well, flying in during key moments of the film which were a delight to watch.
What sets Superman apart is its deeply emotional core. Gunn doesn’t just ask what Superman can do, but why he does it. This is a story about empathy in the face of cynicism, about legacy and self-determination. In an era saturated with dark anti-heroes, Superman is refreshingly idealistic — not in a saccharine way, but in a way that feels rebellious, even radical.
The script is layered with political subtext — immigration, power and the misinformation of the media. But it never feels preachy. It speaks to today’s world without abandoning the timeless appeal of Superman’s symbol. And although its themes parallel a lot of what is happening currently in today’s political climate, this story is a timeless classic about purpose, heart, and a hero who actually inspires.
Superman opens in theaters July 11th.
