In the new age of cynicism, where we are fed daily news of war, injustice and human suffering, the release of James Gunn’s Superman (2025) does not seem like your average superhero film. Rather, a cultural intervention. This new Superman reminds us that hope is not naive — it is a form of resistance. And in today’s world, it is revolutionary.

 

Superman has always been more than just a symbol of brute strength. He was created to be a symbol of hope, someone who represents the best of us. Not because he is the strongest, but because he chooses kindness, even when he does not need to. He is an alien, an outsider, powerful enough to ignore humanity’s problems. But he does not. He stays. He fights for us. 

 

Over the past decade, Hollywood has used stories that are heavily rooted in darkness. From the grim realism of Man of Steel (2012) to countless dystopian narratives, we have seen the reflection of all our fears and anxieties. Though these films are not inherently bad, they serve as mirrors for us to process traumas and face our uncomfortable realities. But when every narrative echoes despair, it can start to feel like there is no way out.

 

Art has always been a medium to reflect life. However, it should also offer something to aspire to. And for a generation growing up watching both cinematic and real-world destruction, we need to be reminded of our gentleness and mercy, of moral clarity. We need to know that power does not have to be corrupt — and if so, there is hope in change through the strength of humanity. On social media, we see a rise in individualism, often said to be self-preservation. The “I do not owe anyone anything” mindset, prevalent in the current discourse of Gen Z, seems to be veering into harmful territory. Because the truth is, we do owe each other something. We owe each other kindness. Empathy. Humanity. 

 

This is what Superman stands for. This is why this film is so important in our present time — not as a distraction to tell us all is well, but it dares to remind us that in a world that is fuelled by fire and hatred, kindness and humanity can still be the most powerful.