By Jada Lee T.C

A thundering boom resounds throughout the city. Cars fly by and people scramble as the explosions intensify. You’re seconds away from being crushed by a massive, green, goblin-like creature. Then you notice a nearby squirrel munching on an acorn—utterly unfazed, not a single thought behind its eyes.

Who would you save: yourself or the squirrel?

If you’re Henry Cavill—who portrayed Superman in the past—you’d wait for the perfect explosion before blasting off into the sky, letting the city, and the squirrel, fall into ruin. But if you’re David Corenswet, who plays Superman in James Gunn’s new film, Superman, every little thing matters. So, you save the squirrel.

Corenswet is a different kind of Superman. He’s more empathetic than past portrayals. It’s a reminder of Superman’s original purpose: his parents sent him to Earth from Krypton with one goal—do good. While Cavill gave a strong performance in 2013’s Man of Steel, his Superman was wrapped in hypermasculinity and often strayed from that foundational ideal. Corenswet, under Gunn’s direction, brings it back. He humanizes the character.

In this film, Gunn also reimagines what a superhero fight can be. Instead of jumping straight into a generic action scene, he slows it down. He doesn’t cut to Clark Kent already suited up—he shows him lacing up his boots. It’s a small but powerful moment that reminds us: Superman is someone who lives like we do. He works a 9-to-5 job at The Daily Planet. He has a routine. And that makes him feel more (super) human than ever.

Gunn’s decision to highlight Superman’s feelings creates space for viewers to connect emotionally. The soundtrack, composed by David Fleming and John Murphy, plays a big role in this. The orchestral melodies—especially the way the trumpets swell—evoke a sense of comfort and hope.

That feeling crescendos in a memorable scene: When the fictional city of Jarhanpur is minutes away from being invaded by the Boravian army, a child stands his ground. He raises a flag bearing the iconic red “S,” gripping the pole tightly and chanting, “Superman! Superman! Superman!”

The technicolor universe of a movie theater is the perfect place to feel the emotions in that scene. As the film’s bright colors illuminate the dark room, they also illuminate your own memories—what it felt like to be a kid, wide-eyed and hopeful.

As we grow older, it gets harder to hold onto that feeling. It becomes easier to surrender to alienation, and Superman understands that.

Of course, it’s not easy. Not everyone has a billionaire trying to destroy them with high-tech weapons. But like us, Superman endures. He dedicates himself to becoming a better human, even though he’s not one. And at some point, we’ve all felt like aliens—different, out of place. What matters is how you choose to own who you are.

James Gunn’s Superman reintroduces the hero’s true purpose: a beacon of hope. In an overcomplicated world, he reminds us that surviving—and staying kind—is our greatest strength.