Superman Review (2025): Gunn Brings Humor, Heart and a Superdog

Genre(s) – Superhero, Action
Director – James Gunn
Writer – James Gunn
Cast – David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced
Runtime – 129 Minutes
My Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Where To Watch/Stream Superman 2025

Gunn gives us something weirdly heartfelt, funny, and quite refreshing.

Plot Summary of Superman 2025 (Spoiler-Free)

So here’s the good news- Superman 2025 skips the whole Krypton-goes-boom, baby-lands-in-a-cornfield bit, and instead Gunn just throws us into a world where Superman is already up and flying, saving people, getting on the bad side of corrupt billionaires, and juggling the usual nonsense of being the most powerful being on the planet and still working a desk job.

This version has Clark Kent (played by David Corenswet) already living his double life in Metropolis. He’s not new in town, not fresh off the farm. He’s doing his thing. Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) is his equal in every way, and their relationship is front and center without dominating the plot.

And Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) is not your old-school evil genius in a purple suit, either. He’s more like a tech bro with too much money, way too much time, and zero chill. His plan is ridiculous, but in a comic book way that works because of how Gunn frames the universe. The movie introduces a few other heroes, but it’s still Superman’s show.

And yes, Krypto the Superdog is in this. And no, he’s not just there to sell plush toys (though I’d buy one).

Superman 2025 Review: Is It Worth Watching?

I walked into this one with fairly low expectations. Like, dig-a-hole-in-the-ground low. Especially after reading some of the early reviews. (Always a mistake, isn’t it?)

But James Gunn somehow manages to cook up something surprisingly fun and, dare I say, human. It’s a film that knows what it wants to be. It’s confident. It walks a weird tightrope between goofy and sincere, and most of the time, it pulls it off.

Corenswet is, in a word, excellent. He’s got the classic Superman look, but he doesn’t just coast on that. He actually sells both Clark and Kal-El as two different sides of the same awkward, earnest coin. He’s not brooding, but he’s also not all-American corny either.

Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is sharp, witty, and actually feels like a real person rather than just “the love interest.” The dynamic between Lois and Clark is written with this fast-paced, screwball energy that reminded me of old comedies from yesteryear.

Then we have,Lex Luthor, who is basically Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg if they had a baby that was raised by comic books and paranoia. He’s smug, dangerous, and just weird enough to feel like a Gunn character without going full cartoon. His evil scheme is oh so ridiculous, but Gunn leans into that instead of pretending it’s some genius plan, and somehow, that makes it better.

The film looks great too, and it doesn’t feel like you’re watching a two-hour cutscene from a PlayStation 5 game. There are big fights, but Gunn does a decent job of making them feel personal. There are moments where you actually worry Superman might lose. I mean, obviously he won’t, but the fact that you feel like he might is rare.

And Gunn brings his usual irreverence to the film, too, but it’s not just Guardians of the Galaxy in red and blue. There are moments of real emotion, real stakes. Then, just when things get too heavy, enter Krypto who does something dumb and adorable to break it up.

And what can I say about Krypto? What could have gone horribly wrong, worked incredibly well. Welcome Krypto, I hope you enjoy your stay.

Overall though, this movie felt like a breath of fresh air. It didn’t try to be grim and gritty, and it didn’t drown in its own cheesiness either. It found a nice middle ground and planted its flag there.

What I liked (And What I Didn’t like)

Pros:

Corenswet nails the role

He’s just believable as both Clark and Superman. He’s not doing a cosplay of past actors, and he doesn’t feel like he’s trying too hard. He’s just good.

Brosnahan’s Lois is fantastic

She’s not just there to ask questions and get kidnapped. She’s a full character with her own agenda, and she plays off Corenswet perfectly. Their scenes together were some of my favorites.

Gunn’s tone is spot on

The mix of humor and sincerity could have gone horribly wrong, but it doesn’t. It feels like a movie made by someone who actually likes Superman.

Lex is both hilarious and terrifying

Luthor is unhinged in a modern, tech-savvy way that weirdly fits today’s world.

Krypto rules

He’s not annoying, thankfully, he’s actually a scene-stealer.

No origin story

Bless Gunn for not making us sit through the Krypton thing again. We know. We’re good.

Cons:

Some side characters get lost

There are too many characters and not enough time for all of them. A few of the supporting heroes barely get more than a name drop.

Might not be for purists

If you want your Superman stoic and serious 100% of the time, this isn’t your movie.

Who might like Superman 2025

• Fans of James Gunn’s style
• People tired of overly serious superhero movies
• Folks who want a fun, fresh take on Superman
• Dog lovers. Seriously, Krypto is great.
• Anyone who enjoyed the older Donner-era Superman but wants a modern update

Who might dislike Superman 2025

• Hardcore Superman traditionalists
• People who hate jokes in superhero movies
• Those expecting non-stop action
• Audiences who prefer darker, grittier tone like the Snyder era

Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Superman 2025?

Yes. Surprisingly, yes. I went in prepared to hate this thing, or at least feel absolutely nothing. It stumbles a little at times, and it won’t please everyone. But Superman 2025 is just fun and well-made.

Corenswet was a great choice. Brosnahan is perfect. Hoult’s Luthor is weird and wonderful. And Gunn clearly cares about this world. He makes it colorful without being cartoony, funny without being cynical, and heartfelt without being sappy.

So yeah, I enjoyed it. I’d watch it again. And I’m actually looking forward to where they go next.

9/10

Superman 2025 Trailer

Simon Leasher

A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More

And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.