RIOTUS

If you’ve been hoping and wishing for a Superman who could make you believe again, your wish just crash-landed in Metropolis—actually, Smallville, no, it’s Antarctica, but you know what I mean. David Corenswet steps into the cape with a sincerity that feels both classic and brand new, and from the first frame, it’s clear: this isn’t just another reboot. This is a love letter to the sanctity of life, heroism, and the kind of big-hearted storytelling that made us fall for the Man of Steel in the first place. We want to believe a man could fly, but we also want to believe in the man.

The story kicks off with Superman already established as the world’s most recognizable hero, juggling cosmic threats, city-level chaos, and the daily grind at the Daily Planet. Yay, no origin stories! Clark Kent (Corenswet) is succeeding at keeping his two worlds in balance, but his heart is about to get him in trouble. Metropolis is buzzing, Lois Lane is the journalist we need, and the “Justice Gang” is just a phone call away. But when Lex Luthor starts twisting the narrative with super-science threats—right after Superman’s controversial interference in the escalating conflict between Boravia and Jarhanpur—our hero’s commitment to doing good on Earth and his relationship with Lois are tested. Which is bad enough when the Hammer of Boravia’s boots just landed on his neck. Saving the day is hard, and being a good man is harder, but Clark’s about to show us why he’s still the blueprint.

We finally got one with this version of the Man of Steel, but what’s a Superman without a Lex Luthor to test his limits? This time, there’s no confusion, no “maybe he’s got a point” validations. Nicholas Hoult‘s Lex Luthor is a selfish, petty, cruel man who wants attention so badly he’s willing to make the world burn. And Hoult excels at villainy. Writer-directorJames Gunn skips the backstory where Clark and Alexander Luthor grew up together, as alluded to in shows like Smallville—instead, these two are bitter rivals. At least in Lex’s mind; Superman is on a very different level. Their rivalry is the ignition that sparks this engine, reminding us a hero’s greatness is measured by the obstacles he faces—and the adversaries who push him to his limits.

Yet, as much as Superman is pushed by his villain, he’s defined by his love. A big part of that is Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). In Superman (2025) their romance is dynamic, honest, and so very steamy. Are you surprised? I was. Brosnahan’s Lois gives us everything the character is supposed to be: observant, “for real,” and an investigative journalist to her bones. The Lois and Clark chemistry is flames and that’s good to see.

On the next episode of our show, Geek Girl Riot, our main takeaway is: We believe this Superman because we can believe in him. Here, being the world’s most famous Boy Scout isn’t boring or basic. Why? Because being good is hard. Destruction is easy, building something, making things better is tough, and Superman (2025) gets it done. His belief in preserving life at all costs is beyond refreshing; it’s inspiring. This is a hero who will stop in the middle of a fight to save anyone and anything, including a stray dog or a lifeform he has yet to understand.

Gunn, who understands DC Comics well, adds the political and social insights that comic books have always had. There’s a joke about monkeys and keyboards that will make you giggle; there’s also a war that will shake you with its relevance.

Of course, there are nods to Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman, and it’s great to see the Superman Robots voiced by members of Gunn’s squad: Alan Tudyk as Gary (#4), Pom Klementieff and Michael Rooker as Superman Robots #1 and #5. The Fortress of Solitude is at its best, but I didn’t expect Bradley Cooper as Jor-El. Let’s pause here: Bradley Cooper is Kal-El’s father. Still, there might not be anything better than the chaos engine that is Krypto. Every scene with this classic “superpet” is a giggling delight. Okay, there’s someone who ties with Krypto. Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific deserves all the hugs and kisses. He’s super intelligent, terse, quippy, and suited in the finest of 90s era Ninja motorbike fits. There’s a spotlight fight scene that Mr. Terrific eats right up.

Another scene that makes this movie the herald of a new era of DC adaptations is something the Rioters are calling Starfish and Hot Cocoa (a Prince reference you’ll enjoy when you see it). Another favorite is when Lois interviews Clark and refuses to go easy on him. I know you’ve seen a teaser for their conversation, but there’s so much more to it, making it one of the foundational scenes of the movie—causing Clark to defend his methods and eventually his heart. Something the children of Metropolis never doubt. My favorite scenes show how much a part of the community Superman is. Children run up to him to be hugged, people hand him their phones to show him things, he gets free food from a special vendor, Malik (Dinesh Thyagarajan), and when he falls, the people of the city pick him up. That’s what makes it hurt more when they turn on him.

The production design is another high, with Metropolis looking like a cross between New York and Chicago, that’s its own place. The kaiju from the trailers is hilarious and campy, and thus enjoyable. Y’all, when we first see the kaiju, it’s in a box whirring around and making noises like the Tasmanian Devil, a character in the WBD universe. Which only gets funnier when Superman pulls off a trademark Bugs Bunny move during a fight. On the darker side, there’s a pocket universe made out of bismuth—a crystalline metal with iridescent hues—and a river of technicolor anti-life looking lava. The character design of The Engineer is so slick and deadlier, but that’s because María Gabriela de Faría delivers on black mamba venom. She’s what makes you want much more when The Authority adaptation happens. Mr. Terrific’s T-Sphere ship is more of this team showing off. It feels like a ’90s sports car crossed with Nite Owl’s owlship, Archimedes, in Watchmen. Again, keeping the vibes totally in universe.

Of course there were no doubts that Nathan Fillion understood what was needed and delivers the high assholery and arrogant bravado of Guy Gardner. Isabela Merced is a high-flying, mace-wielding neck stomper as Hawkgirl. And Skyler Gisondo is everything you want as the intrepid and hilariously pragmatic Jimmy Olsen, with the running gag of his irresistibility to women intact. I also have to say: Oh hey, Ms. Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio).

When the changes to what was the DCEU were announced, I’d decided to wait and see this relaunch of one of my favorite comic book universes. I’ve been betrayed by previous versions too often. I waited, I saw, and I’m pleased, precious. James Gunn, Peter Safran, and DC Studios’ commitment to only making movies when the scripts are ready shows in Superman (2025)—everything about the storytelling and character development holds together. Making it very easy to see how the new DCU will expand outward. David Corenswet is a Superman who’d make Christopher Reeve proud, cause this is the superhero we’ve been waiting for. Proving when DC relies on its stories, characters, and thematic tone, it’s in a universe by itself.