After years of speculation, leaks, and feverish online debate, James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman is finally ready to leap into theaters on July 11.
While most audiences are still counting down the days, up until the worldwide July 11 premiere, a select group of film critics and industry insiders got an early look at the Man of Steel’s latest cinematic rebirth – and the early reactions paint a complicated picture.
A Colorful, Political Take On A Classic Hero
For many, Gunn’s vision is a welcome detour from the increasingly formulaic world of superhero blockbusters. GQ Senior Editor Frazier Tharpe called the film “one of the most distinct superhero films in a long time,” praising its colorful visuals, whimsical tone, and unapologetically fantastical elements – from flying orbs and giant monsters to Superman’s beloved canine sidekick, Krypto the Superdog.
At the film’s emotional core is a late-act monologue by Clark Kent (David Corenswet) that Tharpe says encapsulates Gunn’s thesis: an earnest, hopeful hero who embodies decency and compassion, rather than the darker, brooding archetypes that have dominated recent DC outings. “You won’t find any controversial neck-snapping here,” Tharpe noted, alluding to 2013’s divisive Man of Steel.
Critics also lauded Gunn’s decision to weave political subtext into the narrative. The plot revolves around fictional nations Boravia and Jarhanpur, whose escalating conflict provides both spectacle and commentary on real-world tensions. New York Times critic Alissa Wilkinson acknowledged that her usual “superhero fatigue” gave way to appreciation for the film’s sincere, sometimes goofy charm. Similarly, Vulture’s Alison Willmore highlighted the film’s resonance with Superman’s original creators – two Jewish American men whose hero, born as an immigrant and outsider, always had political undertones.
Critical Praise: Heart, Humor, and Humanity
The film’s early Rotten Tomatoes score stands at an encouraging 86 percent, suggesting that many critics were charmed despite reservations. Associated Press critic Jake Coyle described Superman as “something quite rare in the assembly line-style of superhero movie making today: human.” To him, Gunn’s approach reconnects audiences with the wonder and idealism that made Superman a cultural icon in the first place.
Variety’s Owen Gleiberman placed Superman in his “next-level good” tier, alongside genre favorites like Batman Begins and Iron Man. He applauded Gunn’s ability to blend large-scale action with personal stakes, even if he felt the film occasionally struggled to slow down and breathe.
#Superman is a comic come to life in ways I never knew were possible and beaming with so much heart that I couldn't help but love it! A beautiful story that balances many elements really well with a perfect cast and the most creative action possibleThe DCU's future is BRIGHT pic.twitter.com/Bcucy2PmA4
— Jack (-_) (@captaincupkicks) July 9, 2025
The Kryptonite: Cluttered Plot and Divisive Performances
Not everyone was convinced, however. Several critics zeroed in on what they saw as the movie’s messy storytelling and uneven character work. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian offered one of the harshest verdicts, branding Corenswet’s Superman as “square-faced soullessness” and lamenting a “pointless and cluttered new backstory” that dilutes the hero’s emotional impact.
SUPERMAN is weighed down by a needlessly convoluted plot, bordering outright muddled, and a mix of tones that never quite settles. While its spectacle is engaging, Corenswet's performance is the real stunner, delivering an incredible presence. Hoult is good but underutilized. pic.twitter.com/tC4gBtTu3H
— Josh Parham (@JRParham) July 8, 2025
The supporting cast also received mixed notices. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane was praised as witty and sharp, but Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor was dismissed by some as “more obnoxious than villainous.” In a surprising twist, Krypto the Superdog emerged as an unexpected scene-stealer – prompting at least one critic to quip that they’d rather watch an entire film about him.
Gunn’s Long Game
As for James Gunn himself, the filmmaker seems unfazed by the polarized response. Speaking candidly in interviews, Gunn brushed aside concerns that Superman might be deemed a flop if it fails to surpass Man of Steel’s $700 million global haul. Instead, he framed the film as the opening salvo in a broader creative vision – dubbed “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” – that aims to reshape the DC cinematic universe over the next decade.
Fans hoping for an instant masterpiece may have to adjust their expectations, but Gunn’s commitment to telling heartfelt, idiosyncratic stories within the superhero genre appears genuine. Whether audiences will embrace this bold new Clark Kent – or long for the return of more familiar caped crusaders – remains to be seen. For now, Superman stands as a reminder that even in an age of billion-dollar blockbusters, a hero in red and blue tights can still spark debate and delight alike. And perhaps that, in itself, is a kind of superpower.