Superman (2025)

Superman 2025 Review: James Gunn’s Epic Reboot That Redefines the Man of Steel

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Title: Superman (2025)

Director: James Gunn

Writer: James Gunn

Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult

Genre: Superhero, Action, Drama

Release Date: July 11, 2025

Production Companies: DC Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures

Runtime: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes

Language: English

Plot Summary:

A reboot of the Superman saga focusing on Clark Kent’s early days as Superman, his struggle to balance his alien heritage and human life, and his fight against Lex Luthor’s sinister plans.

Box Office: Over $1 billion worldwide

Reception: Positive reviews praising direction, performances, and visual effects

Superman is a 2025 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Written and directed by James Gunn, the film serves as a reboot of the Superman franchise and marks the first installment of the new DC Universe (DCU) under the leadership of Gunn and Peter Safran. The film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, among others. Blending classic mythos with contemporary sensibilities, the film reimagines the early days of Superman’s career and explores the moral and existential challenges of being a hero in the modern world.

Plot

Set in the bustling city of Metropolis, Superman opens with a montage of destruction and hope, juxtaposing natural disasters, international conflicts, and acts of heroism. Clark Kent, a young journalist at the Daily Planet, lives a double life as Superman. The film captures Clark’s early struggles to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing by the Kents in Smallville, Kansas.

As Clark investigates a series of mysterious corporate takeovers involving LexCorp, he uncovers a sinister plan orchestrated by Lex Luthor, a genius industrialist and political manipulator. Lex aims to provoke global distrust in Superman, positioning him as a threat to human sovereignty. Meanwhile, Superman rescues civilians across the globe, but faces growing political backlash and media scrutiny led by rival outlets.

The emotional core of the story lies in Clark’s evolving relationship with Lois Lane, an award-winning journalist known for her fearless reporting. Their chemistry is built on mutual respect, skepticism, and eventually trust. Lois aids Superman in unearthing Lex’s plans, risking her career in the process.

As Lex unveils a powerful biotechnological weapon developed from stolen Kryptonian artifacts, Superman is forced into a final confrontation that not only tests his physical limits but also his moral code. With the help of his allies—including Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, and a cameo by Supergirl—Superman ultimately defeats Lex but chooses to spare his life, affirming his commitment to hope and compassion.

Cast

David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman

Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane

Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor

Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern

Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl

Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific

Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho

Milly Alcock as Supergirl (cameo)

Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen

María Gabriela De Faría as Angela Spica / The Engineer

Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord

Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.

Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince as Martha and Jonathan Kent

Alan Tudyk as the voice of Kryptonian AI "Four"

Production

After Warner Bros. scrapped earlier plans for a sequel to Man of Steel (2013), DC Studios underwent a creative overhaul with James Gunn and Peter Safran appointed to lead the new DC Universe initiative. Gunn began writing Superman: Legacy in 2022 and announced the project in early 2023. It was later retitled Superman.

Filming began in February 2024 and took place in Atlanta, Svalbard (Norway), and various locations across Ohio. Gunn drew inspiration from Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman and Geoff Johns’ Secret Origin, emphasizing themes of identity, hope, and responsibility.

Themes and Direction

Gunn’s Superman explores the alienation and moral clarity of the world’s most powerful being. Unlike previous iterations that leaned into a darker aesthetic, this film re-centers Superman as a symbol of hope and optimism in an increasingly cynical world. Gunn balances the grandeur of superhero spectacle with the intimacy of a character drama.

One of the film’s most praised aspects is its philosophical tone. Superman’s internal struggle—whether the world deserves his help—echoes modern conversations about heroism, responsibility, and trust in institutions. His human side, cultivated in Smallville, serves as a constant compass.

The film also critiques media manipulation, political fearmongering, and the corporatization of power through Lex Luthor’s character. Luthor is portrayed not just as a madman, but a realist who believes the world cannot afford to be protected by an alien force.

Visual Effects and Cinematography

The film features visual effects by Weta FX, Framestore, and Industrial Light & Magic. Scenes involving flight, laser vision, and battle sequences are executed with both clarity and scale. The Arctic Fortress of Solitude sequence is particularly noteworthy for its majestic visual composition and symbolism.

Henry Braham’s cinematography captures the duality of Clark Kent’s life. Metropolis is rendered in sharp, modern tones, while Smallville sequences glow with warm hues and nostalgia. The color palette leans into traditional reds and blues, embracing Superman’s comic roots without irony.

Music

John Murphy composed the score, blending new motifs with John Williams’ classic “Superman March.” The score is emotionally resonant, especially during scenes of rescue and reflection. David Fleming provided additional music, creating a seamless auditory experience that complements both action and introspective moments.

Reception

Superman premiered in Los Angeles in early July 2025 and was released worldwide on July 11. It received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 92% approval rating, while Metacritic scores it 80/100. Audiences praised Corenswet’s fresh yet familiar portrayal, the film’s hopeful tone, and Brosnahan’s charismatic Lois Lane.

Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor was singled out for his cold, intellectual menace. Critics also applauded the ensemble cast, particularly Nathan Fillion’s humorous Green Lantern and Edi Gathegi’s cerebral Mister Terrific.

Box Office

The film opened with $180 million domestically and crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide within four weeks. It performed especially well in North America, Europe, and South America, and helped rejuvenate interest in DC films after a string of underperforming titles.

Legacy

As the first film in the DCU’s Chapter One: “Gods and Monsters,” Superman lays the groundwork for interconnected storytelling. Characters introduced in this film are set to appear in upcoming projects like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Authority, and Lanterns.

James Gunn confirmed a sequel is in early development, and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane will appear in other DCU entries. The film's hopeful tone and moral clarity have influenced the creative direction of other projects in the franchise.

Accolades

Though the film released just ahead of awards season, early predictions suggest nominations in categories such as Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score, and potentially acting nods for Corenswet and Brosnahan.

Conclusion

Superman (2025) is both a love letter to the Man of Steel’s legacy and a reintroduction for a new generation. By grounding the godlike hero in deeply human questions, James Gunn crafts a film that transcends genre expectations. Blending heart, heroism, and humor, Superman sets a bold and inspiring tone for the DC Universe’s new era.