Superman earns praise for performances and tone amid early mixed reviews

Early responses to Superman highlight strong performances and direction.


Pop Culture & Art July 08, 2025
‘Superman’ hits screens on Wednesday. Photo: File

Early reactions to Superman, the first official entry in James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe, are now surfacing and the response leans largely positive.

Critics and insiders who attended advance screenings describe the film as vibrant, heartfelt, and tonally refreshing.

Audiences are particularly responding to the optimistic spirit of the film. David Corenswet’s portrayal of Clark Kent has been described as earnest and grounded, while Rachel Brosnahan’s take on Lois Lane is drawing praise for her sharp performance and strong chemistry with Corenswet.

Several viewers also highlighted Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor as a bold interpretation.

The tone of the film is being celebrated as a return to classic superhero storytelling, with an emphasis on hope, emotion, and character. Reactions note a bright color palette and brisk pacing that differentiate it from darker entries in the genre.

Fandango’s Erik Davis called the film “the perfect superhero movie,” describing it as “big, bright, exciting, full of hope.” He also praised director James Gunn’s handling of the character, noting how the story centers Superman at his lowest point while maintaining a vivid, comic-book style tone.

Still, early reactions suggest that Superman establishes key characters and tone for DC Studios’ upcoming slate.

 

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ