After years of tonal confusion and false starts, superman (2025) marks the official reboot of the DC Universe under James Gunn. But the question every fan – and casual moviegoer – is asking: did DC finally get it right? In short: it’s a bold step in the right direction. But not without turbulence.
Let’s break it down, plotwit style.
A New Era Begins — But With Familiar Roots
Gunn’s vision isn’t a gritty overhaul, thankfully. Instead, it’s a confident return to superman’s enduring roots — kindness, optimism, and moral clarity. The film wisely skips yet another origin story, dropping us directly into a bustling world where Clark Kent is already balancing his life as a Daily Planet journalist with his duties as Earth’s protector. That choice pays off immensely: we bypass the baby-in-a-pod backstory and dive straight into a superman grappling with identity in a world increasingly skeptical of ideals.
Thematically, Gunn deftly plays with dualities — man versus alien, hope versus cynicism, public perception versus personal integrity. If you’ve ever yearned for a superman movie with the heartfelt soul of a Christopher Reeve classic but the vibrant aesthetic of modern cinema, this is precisely it.
David Corenswet: A Superman for a New Generation
Let’s address the cape in the room, because David Corenswet isn’t just good — he’s precisely what the character needed. He brings an effortless warmth, a charming awkwardness, and an undeniable sincerity to the role. Unlike Henry Cavill’s more stoic, godlike alien, Corenswet plays superman as a Kansas-raised farm boy first, hero second. That small-town charm doesn’t feel forced; it feels profoundly earned.
From quietly helping strangers on the street to struggling with the relentless media narratives surrounding his existence, this is a superman who doubts himself just enough to be human — but never, ever loses his unwavering sense of purpose.
Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane Steals Scenes — When Given Room
Rachel Brosnahan delivers a sharp, fearless, and refreshingly modern Lois Lane. She’s far from a damsel or a mere sidekick. She’s a Pulitzer-winning journalist who treats superman like a person, not just a headline to chase.
Their chemistry is undeniably electric in many scenes — especially in the quieter, more intimate newsroom moments — but, frustratingly, the script occasionally sidelines her for the sake of bigger, more sprawling plot pieces. Brosnahan’s Lois deserves a sequel with even more narrative meat on the bone.
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor: Silicon Valley Sociopath
Forget the campy, bald villains twirling imaginary mustaches. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex is chillingly cold, meticulously manipulative, and disturbingly relevant to our times. Think less “mad scientist,” more “tech billionaire with a god complex” and an insatiable desire for control.
Crucially, he’s not overused, and that’s a stroke of genius. His menacing presence lingers over the movie like a shadow, orchestrating chaos from high-rise conference rooms rather than secret lairs. Hoult delivers pure menace without a single unnecessary monologue, and early fan reactions are already hailing him as one of the most grounded, believable, and utterly terrifying versions of Lex ever seen on screen.
Supporting Heroes: Crowd-Pleasers or Distractions?
Here’s where opinions might split among plotwit readers.
superman (2025) introduces several other key DCU characters — Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, and Mr. Terrific — and while their inclusion is a clear nod to the shared-universe model, it occasionally bloats the story.
Mr. Terrific is a definite standout, adding both sharp intellect and dry wit. The others, while cool to see, sometimes feel like glorified cameos designed solely to seed future projects. The film handles them better than past DC attempts (yes, we’re looking at you, Justice League), but the pacing does dip slightly when the ensemble gets too busy vying for screen time.
Krypto the Superdog: Cute But Clunky
Yes, Krypto is in this movie. And yes, he’s absolutely adorable.
However, not every emotional beat involving our favorite super-canine lands perfectly. While Krypto undeniably adds levity and heart, the CGI, at times, feels a little rushed, particularly in high-action sequences. Gunn clearly wanted to include him as a metaphor for loyalty and emotional grounding, drawing inspiration from his own dog, Ozu, but some viewers might find it occasionally veers into the overtly cartoonish.
The Themes: Big Ideas, Mixed Execution
At its core, superman (2025) is a passionate exploration of idealism in a world that often seems allergic to it. Gunn uses superman to cleverly question modern media narratives, the pervasive influence of tech moguls, and the complexities of moral relativism. It’s smart — but occasionally, it can feel a little too on-the-nose.
The film’s absolute best moments are when it simply lets superman be superman: saving lives, wrestling with the immense burden of choice, and inspiring people just by existing. The weaker moments? Overstuffed exposition, some thin side arcs, and jarring tone shifts that jolt the viewer rather than gliding seamlessly.
Visuals, Score & Style: A Bright Future
Visually, the film pops with vibrant life — Metropolis feels alive and bustling, and the costume redesign is remarkably clean and confidently modern. Gunn wisely leans into brighter palettes, a welcome departure from the desaturated gloom of the Snyder era.
The score, by John Murphy and David Fleming, pays subtle yet effective homage to John Williams’ iconic theme without ever feeling derivative. There’s genuine emotional depth here, even when the CGI occasionally strains under the weight of its own ambition.
Audience Reception: Flying High (So Far)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 95% Critics’ Score: 78%
Initial reactions across Twitter and Reddit are overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding Corenswet’s performance and the much-anticipated tonal reset. Still, even the most ardent fans acknowledge that the film attempts to bite off a lot — and only manages to chew through some of it.
Verdict: A Strong Takeoff, Even With Some Turbulence
superman (2025) doesn’t reinvent the wheel — it thoughtfully brings it back down to earth, polishes it to a shine, and lets it fly again with renewed purpose.
It’s hopeful, deeply human, and finally feels like DC is ready to wholeheartedly embrace what makes superman truly work, instead of constantly apologizing for his inherent goodness. While the film occasionally stumbles under the weight of setup and numerous subplots, Gunn’s vision is crystal clear: kindness isn’t outdated, it’s profoundly heroic.
plotwit Rating: 4/5
✅ What Works:
- Corenswet’s perfect performance
- The electric Lois & Clark dynamic
- Lex Luthor’s cold, brilliant menace
- The refreshing, optimistic tone
- Visually stunning aesthetic and (mostly) strong pacing
⚠️ What Doesn’t:
- Supporting heroes sometimes feel jammed in
- Krypto is charming but occasionally clunky due to CGI
- Thematic depth sometimes feels overly didactic or “lecture-y”
- Occasional CGI hiccups in action sequences
Should You Watch It?
Absolutely. Whether you’re a lifelong DC loyalist or simply tired of moody heroes mumbling in shadows, superman (2025) is a genuine breath of fresh air. It’s not perfect — but it’s earnestly trying to be good in a genre that has, for too long, gotten used to being merely “gritty.”
And in the end, isn’t that precisely what superman is all about?
