Opinion: I Watched the Woke Superman Movie—Now I Might Believe in Basic Human Decency

As James Gunn’s new Superman movie soars into theaters this weekend, a fierce debate is heating up—not over box office numbers or special effects, but over the superhero’s values. Some conservative voices are labeling the film as yet another casualty of Hollywood’s progressive agenda, coining the nickname “Woke Superman.”

An Alien, a Refugee, a Symbol — Superman’s Origins Reignite Political Debate

Superman has always had an origin story rooted in themes of alienation, identity, and assimilation. Arriving on Earth as a refugee from the planet Krypton, Superman is adopted by kind farmers in Kansas and raised with American values. Director James Gunn has embraced that core narrative, but it’s his emphasis on Superman’s immigrant identity that has stirred criticism from the political right.

“I mean, Superman is the story of America,” Gunn said in a recent interview with The Times of London. “An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country. But for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”

Gunn’s remarks set off a media firestorm. Fox News ran a segment with the headline “Superwoke: Iconic Hero Goes Political”, accusing the film of pushing a “pro-immigrant agenda.” Prominent conservative commentator Jesse Watters even joked, “You know what it says on his cape? MS-13,” referencing the gang that the Trump administration often cited in its immigration rhetoric.

Woke Superman: Embracing Kindness or Forcing Ideology?

Much of the backlash revolves around whether the film is promoting inclusivity or enforcing liberal ideology. Gunn has been clear that while the movie touches on political themes, it’s ultimately about the enduring relevance of compassion.

“This Superman does seem to come at a particular time when people are feeling a loss of hope in other people’s goodness,” he said. “I’m telling a story about a guy who is uniquely good, and that feels needed now.”

Critics, however, argue that such statements politicize the character unnecessarily. Fox host Greg Gutfeld called Gunn’s remarks a “moat of woke, enlightened opinion,” suggesting that the filmmaker was trying to protect himself from backlash over previous controversies.

Former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway also weighed in, expressing dismay over the omission of the word “American” in Superman’s iconic slogan during a recent CBS interview with actor David Corenswet. “We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to,” she said. “We go to escape.”

A History of Political Superheroes

Despite the criticism, fans and historians alike point out that Woke Superman isn’t exactly a new invention. From the beginning, Superman has been a political figure. Created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster—both sons of Jewish immigrants—the character quickly became a symbol of justice during turbulent times.

In the 1940s, Superman fought the Ku Klux Klan in a famous radio drama and advocated for the oppressed. Captain America, another cultural icon, once appeared on a comic cover punching Hitler. These heroes weren’t just caped crusaders; they were reflections of the world’s struggles.

Jack Deegan, a YouTube content creator and comic historian, summarized it well: “It’s such a core, foundational element of his character that I feel like you would have to be reading it completely incorrectly to miss the point of who Superman is. He literally entered the country as an undocumented alien.”

Fans Push Back: ‘Woke Superman Has Always Existed’

On social media, many fans responded with bemusement to the “woke” outrage. Hashtags like #WokeSuperman and #SupermanIsAnImmigrant trended on X (formerly Twitter), with users pointing out that Superman’s legacy has always been about protecting the marginalized.

“The character has always stood for empathy, fairness, and resistance to authoritarianism,” one post read. “If that’s ‘woke,’ then he’s been woke since 1938.”

Others criticized conservative commentators for distorting the character’s legacy. “They want a Superman who looks strong but says nothing,” one fan wrote. “But silence in the face of injustice is not heroic—it’s cowardice.”

Hollywood’s Identity Struggles and the Business Behind the Cape

Beyond the culture war, there’s also significant financial pressure behind this reboot. Warner Bros. Discovery, facing internal restructuring and media scrutiny, has invested nearly $364 million into the film. With a divisive political climate and superhero fatigue among audiences, the studio has a lot riding on Woke Superman resonating with both new viewers and longtime fans.

And early signs are promising—the film has been certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and is earning praise for its hopeful tone and grounded performances, especially from Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane).

Still, the term Woke Superman continues to dominate political and entertainment headlines. Whether it’s an insult or a badge of honor seems to depend on whom you ask.

Final Thought: Superman’s Values Aren’t New—They’re Needed

James Gunn’s Superman isn’t a radical reinvention. He’s a return to form—a hero who believes in hope, kindness, and justice for all. The fact that these values are now considered “woke” says more about the culture we’re living in than about the film itself.

Perhaps, in a time of rising division and digital cruelty, we need a little more of what Woke Superman represents: an unyielding belief that doing good for others still matters—even if those others are different from us.

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