Superman (2025) Parents Guide

Superman is Rated PG-13 by Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for violence, action and language.

Listen, it is not easy to reboot Superman in this era. We are subjected to so many adaptations by now some noble and inspiring, some moody and dark, that it almost feels like a fool errand trying to get a more novel version up and running. This is where the twist comes in: Superman (2025), a film directed by James Gunn does not in any way attempt to make the character something he is not. And that is what makes it work.

The Story & What It Tries to Say

The story picks up with Clark Kent already donning the cape. No origin story flashbacks, no time spent watching baby Kal-El land in a cornfield we’re dropped right into his life as both Superman and a young journalist at The Daily Planet. It’s clear he’s still figuring out how to juggle the weight of the world with the quiet dignity of being… well, Clark. He’s saving people by day and writing headlines by night, but that line is getting blurrier as the world around him starts asking some hard questions: Who is this guy? Who gets to hold this much power?

There’s a growing unease in Metropolis. Superman may save the day, but people are starting to wonder what if one day he doesn’t? What if he turns? What if he’s not the god they think he is, but something far more dangerous?

Ultimately, what lies at the center of all this is the identity crisis that Clark has to go through. He is nothing but an unsophisticated farm boy, who happens to play and only wants to be helpful but the world continues to impose their fears, hopes and is always put with their expectations on him. He is a savior, a protector or simply a well-marketed alien?

His anchor is Lois Lane who is portrayed by the sharp-charismatic and sincerely warm Rachel Brosnahan.

Both of them have a natural, non-forced witty dialogue, glances and shared silence that conveys more than dialogue. Lois does not deify Superman: rather, she questions Clark, helps him to think more maturely and makes him somehow remember about his human nature even when the world tortures him as a deity.

However, on the back seats, there is a brewing storm Lex Luthor. And Nicholas Hoult then presents us with a version of Lex that seems horrifically realistic. None of that camp, none of that laughing, no, it is all cold, calculated menace. He is that kind of a villain who does not scream and rave, he just knows how to sow seed of doubt and abuse fear. And he makes a spine tingling point: is anybody supposed to have such unlimited power like that of Superman?

As Lex’s influence grows and public opinion starts to shift, Clark is left wondering does saving the world mean standing above it… or walking among it?

James Gunn doesn’t stop there. He introduces a handful of other heroes—Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, Mister Terrific and while they definitely hint at a bigger DC Universe, they’re more than just cameos. Each one represents a different philosophy of justice. And through them, Clark’s internal struggle gets louder: who decides what’s right? What does it mean to be a good hero?

But at its core, the film is really about belief in yourself, in people, in the idea that doing good still matters. And somehow, Gunn explores all this without turning it into a self-serious lecture. There’s humor (yes, Superman has a dog named Krypto and yes, it’s delightful), but it never undercuts the emotion.

The film doesn’t just entertain it reflects. And that’s something we rarely get in superhero cinema anymore.

Highly Recommended:

Performances & Characters

Let’s talk about David Corenswet for a moment—because wow, he gets it. His Superman is strong, yes, but not in a showy way. It’s in the way he holds back, the way he listens, the way he looks at people like they matter. His Clark isn’t awkward or goofy; he’s humble, grounded. You believe this guy was raised by good people. You feel it.

When he puts on the cape, he doesn’t become someone else—he just becomes more of who he already is.

Then there’s Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and she’s phenomenal. Smart, quick, fearless. She doesn’t play second fiddle to anyone she drives the narrative as much as Clark does. She’s the heart of the newsroom, the thorn in Lex’s side, and the mirror Clark needs. And their relationship? It feels earned. It’s two people building something honest in a world that’s constantly spinning.

Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is chilling in that “this guy could actually exist” kind of way. He doesn’t twirl a mustache. He’s calm, collected, dangerous and more terrifying because he truly believes he’s right. Hoult doesn’t overplay him. He lets the intelligence and cruelty simmer under the surface.

As for the rest of the cast? They’re a colorful bunch Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner is loud and obnoxious (but somehow still lovable), Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl brings fire and conviction, and Edi Gathegi is all intellect and subtle gravitas as Mister Terrific. They don’t steal the show, but they add richness and personality to the world Gunn’s building.

Direction, Visuals & Pacing

It is quite surprising how mature James Gunn is regarding this movie. It is not a firework or a never-ending procession of Easter eggs. It is character based, it has a strong theme, and it does not get visually obnoxious.

The action drama? Tidy, powerful though not imposing. There is one scene in which Superman puts back a school that has been ruined during a fight and, believe me, that has more emotional impact than any high rise explosion I have witnessed and read in years. That type of visual story-telling when the covert time is the most touching is one in a million.

The movie is not hurried. It breathes. There is a time to spend with the characters, on the Kent farm, in the Planet bullpen, even in the relatively silent Metropolis. It does not only present you to who these people are. It allows you to sit down with them. That is what makes all the difference.

The camera work is also so warmly lit especially in the flashbacks. Metropolis is not a shiny technology city and it is not unrealistic. And mark? Perfectly timed. It elevates the emotional notes but does not scream to feel anything at the moment.

And perhaps the best thing about it is that it seems not to be a studio product. It is as though somebody loved something.

Superman (2025) Parents Guide

Violence & Intensity: Expect laser blasts, building destruction, hand‑to‑hand combat, and emotionally charged confrontations. There’s no graphic gore or blood, but tension ramps up significantly in some scenes—especially when Superman and Lex Luthor clash. A few intense moments (like large-scale city demolition) might unsettle younger viewers.

Language & Dialogue: There’s a smattering of mild swearing “damn” and “hell” pop up but no harsh slurs or pervasive profanity. The impact is limited, so it doesn’t feel gratuitous. That occasional strong word adds realism but isn’t central to the dialogue.

Sexual Content: There’s no nudity, no sex scenes, and honestly, not much in the way of even heavy romantic tension.

Lois Lane and Superman clearly care for each other, and their relationship is meaningful, but it’s rooted in mutual respect and emotional connection more than anything physical. No bedroom scenes, no suggestive dialogue, and nothing that would make a parent squirm in their seat.

Substance Use / Drugs: There are no scenes of drug use, no characters abusing substances, and not even a casual beer or wine moment to note. Lex Luthor might be corrupt, but he’s not shown drinking or doing anything illegal in that regard. Superman, of course, is squeaky clean. And even the side characters—despite their eccentricities—stay away from any sort of substance use.

Conclusions

Superman (2025) is not attempting to become the largest or the most daring superhero film. It is attempting to be most truthful. And honestly? This is precisely what was required in the character.

This movie does not play under a cover of irony and snark. It carries its heart in its sleeve. It has faith in good people, probably in second chances, in decency. And yes, in the form of its flaws, that sort of straight-faced sincerity is both uncommon and welcome in a world in which superhero fatigue, especially of the corporate-monied variety, is decidedly not a myth.

Of course, there are some falters. Certain supporting characters have played out longer than they needed and the second act has a moment of respite that may perhaps be a shade too much. These are little quibbles, however.

The only thing is how you feel about it as you feel coming out. And to me, it made me know why Superman was important. What causes us to look up.

Movie Details: