Superman has long stood for truth, justice, and the so-called “American way”, but in today’s increasingly polarised world, those ideals are more contested than ever. The latest Superman film, released this week, has reignited political debate, particularly among conservative commentators in the United States. Director James Gunn described the superhero as “an immigrant that came from other places and populated [America],” prompting backlash. Fox News presenter Kellyanne Conway criticised the film for “lecturing” audiences, while others branded it “superwoke”. Breitbart deemed the film “overstuffed”, and Ben Shapiro accused the filmmakers of attempting to “separate Superman from America”.
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Gunn’s brother Sean, who also appears in the film, defended the portrayal, emphasising the character’s immigrant roots and humanitarian values. Gunn himself said the film promotes “basic human kindness”, a quality he believes is in short supply. While some, such as former Superman actor Dean Cain, fear the film’s progressive slant could damage its box office performance, early projections suggest otherwise, with expectations of a £155 million opening weekend. Gunn, no stranger to controversy, previously faced pressure from right-wing activists, adding further political weight to the discourse surrounding his latest project.
The tension is not new. Superman’s origin — an undocumented alien from the planet Krypton — has long lent itself to progressive interpretations. Created by Jewish immigrants Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, Superman has been both a symbol of American exceptionalism and a metaphor for immigrant resilience. His creators, themselves children of Eastern European migrants, embedded layers of cultural meaning into the character. Superman has been seen both as a protector of the oppressed and a bastion of traditional values. Over the decades, these dual identities have fuelled debates across the political spectrum — from accusations of fascist symbolism in the 1950s to contemporary interpretations linking him to anti-authoritarian ideals.
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The film’s fictional setting involving warring nations has invited inevitable comparisons with real-world conflicts, including Russia-Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. Though Gunn denies any direct allegory, the parallels resonate strongly in today’s geopolitical climate. In an era marked by authoritarian posturing and misinformation, the values Superman represents — empathy, truth, and moral clarity — appear more relevant than ever. Gunn’s intention, he says, was not to transform the world, but to inspire kindness. Whether this latest iteration of Superman can achieve that aim remains uncertain — and perhaps, in a world so divided, even beyond the reach of a superhero.
