Hope Has a Cape: Why the New Superman Movie Surprised This Marvel Fangirl

I’ve always loved comics - not just the film versions, but the stories inked on paper, panels filled with color and purpose. In a world all too depressing, these stories shine a spotlight on humanity’s deep desire for something better - for heroes who rise above, who stand for justice, truth, and love.

Growing up, I planted myself firmly in the Marvel camp, but enjoyed DC fare. I watched Thor and Spider-Man cartoons alongside campy Batman live action movies. When the MCU launched, I was all in. These weren’t just superheroes, they were people: flawed, funny, hurting, and hopeful. They felt human and I could see myself in them and connect to each character. Then came the DCEU, and while it had its moments, the tone never quite connected with me. It was gritty, grim, and often drained of the hope I think is essential to what a hero really is. I get that tragedy often shapes origin stories, but the best heroes choose to be good anyway. The Snyder-verse didn’t offer that light, but it did offer titans and chaos. So, I tuned out.

Then came the announcement that James Gunn - yes, the Guardians of the Galaxy James Gunn - would be stepping away from Marvel and leading the charge on a new DC Universe. Skepticism and disinterest activated. I’ve had personal reservations about Mr. Gunn that I won’t air out online, but creatively, I enjoy his films within the MCU. However, I wasn’t sure if his quirky, chaotic energy could translate into something I’d want to see with DC characters or even fit within the standard we’d seen from DC films. Admittedly, Superman wasn’t a character I ever felt close to or could see myself in. I knew the basics: an alien with immense power, raised on Earth, usually shown leveling cities in Snyder’s vision.

But before Gunn’s Superman ever hit the screen…my husband and I started watching Superman & Lois. Okay, scratch that. My husband started watching Superman & Lois and I would occasionally pay attention. It didn’t take long, though, for me to realize that I had much more in common with the Man of Tomorrow than I ever realized. Suddenly, I saw who Superman was supposed to be. Tyler Hoechlin’s portrayal wasn’t just strong, it was completely revolutionary to my ideas of one of the most famous superheroes of all time. He was raised by good people. Humble. Kind. A man who can lift an entire mountain but would rather lift a neighbor’s spirits. I found myself thinking, Okay…so this is why people like Superman. There’s definitely hope for the Man of Steel in my life.

So, when we sat down in the theatre for Gunn’s Superman, my expectations were extremely low, but my heart was open.

And it was….incredible.

The music was stunning. The tone resounded with hope. The storyline didn’t sacrifice emotional weight for spectacle. This felt like the beginning of something different. Something better. A foundation for a DCU that still has its darkness but knows how to shine through it.

This film showed that Superman may have been born with super powers, but it took two hard-working, down-to-earth, loving parents to make him a man. That detail wasn’t lost in this film. In fact, it was part of its power. He wasn’t just strong - he was good. And in today’s world, goodness is hard to come by and almost always more impressive than strength.

One of the most surprising - and oddly touching - moments came when Superman casually mentions liking punk rock - throwing in P.O.D. (Payable on Death, for those unfamiliar) into the mix. It definitely made my little punk rock heart happy to see a band that shouts hope through distortion pedals and defiant lyrics (and one I listened to all throughout high school) mentioned in arguably one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. The punk rock brought up in this film is like hope with spikes on - raw, loud, messy, but still reaching upward. In a dark world, there’s something refreshing about a character who still believes in truth, justice, and a better tomorrow, but also listens to music that fights for those traits, as well.

Let me clear: this isn’t a political film. I’m a pro-life conservative that wants to see the best for anyone and everyone. I was a little hesitant because Hollywood sure likes to push agendas that go against my Christian values. However, this movie was not preachy, not subversive, and not designed to push any sort of agenda. In fact, it’s more Christlike in spirit than most films I’ve seen in a long time. That’s not to say there are some moments I didn’t like nor did I feel it was necessary or warranted, but the clear theme of hope was evident.

Also? Krypto is an absolute scene-stealer. But I may be biased, because I’ve got two superdogs of my own at home, and I felt that bond in every moment he was on screen.

And can we talk about the music again? The track “Last Son” gave me chills. It echoed notes from the Prince of Egypt’s burning bush moment - holy ground in the middle of a broken world. The composer knew exactly how to weave notes together in a mythic and moving way while simultaneously harkening to nostalgic hope and creating something radically fresh. Days after I’ve watched the film, I find myself binging the score - the mark of a great soundtrack.

In the end, this movie reminded me of why I ever started reading comic books in the first place. It’s not about powers or far off planets. It’s about the hope that we can do better. Be better. Share better. It’s about holding on to light in a world full of shadows. About kindness in the face of cruelty. And about remembering that in life and in fiction, there’s hope worth believing in and light worth sharing.

The world may still be full of sin everywhere I look, but this film? It offered a rare and beautiful thing from Hollywood - a spark of hope, and a gentle challenge: maybe it’s time we stopped waiting for heroes….and started becoming them.