There’s been an uproar online surrounding the new Superman film—some calling it “woke,” others accusing it of being “anti-Israel,” and still more trying to reduce it to political propaganda. But if we pause the noise and really watch the movie—not just with our eyes, but with our conscience—it becomes clear: this isn’t about left or right, Zionism or anti-Zionism. It’s about right and wrong. It's about humanity. It’s about the age-old fight between good and evil.
And Superman? He's always been on the side of good.
🦸♂️ Superman: The Closest Superhero We Have to Jesus
Let’s start here. In the superhero universe, Superman is the only major figure who died and came back to life to save humanity. His origin story has long been a metaphor for messianic hope—a being from another world who comes to Earth, misunderstood and feared, but ultimately reveals a purpose far greater than human bias or borders.
That’s why the backlash is both revealing and ridiculous. Those complaining about a "woke Superman" are upset because he dares to stand against militarism, colonialism, and the mass murder of civilians. But how is that “woke”? That’s Superman 101.
When people complain that Superman is “too political,” what they’re really saying is: We preferred when our heroes didn’t make us question our comfort. But if Superman doesn’t challenge the system—who will?
🌍 A Mirror of Today’s World: Gaza, Metropolis, and Moral Failure
In the film, two fictional nations—one a well-armed aggressor, the other a battered and oppressed homeland—become pawns in a brutal invasion. The allegory to Israel and Gaza is unmistakable, even if the writers claim otherwise. But art is like that. As with a painting, an artist may create with one meaning in mind, but the public will see in it what the times reveal.
And these times reveal a painful truth: no matter how justified a nation may feel in defending itself, no one has the right to murder innocent civilians, women, or children. That’s not just immoral. It’s an international war crime.
Superman sides with the people. Not governments. Not weapons suppliers. Not global orders built on fear and control. He sides with life. And love. And justice.
The Superman-as-alien metaphor is another strong one in the movie. He’s repeatedly been told that he doesn’t belong—despite his love, loyalty, and care for humanity. A sobering parallel to undocumented immigrants in the U.S. who came as children, speak English, pay taxes, have American jobs and see no other home but America.
But they are demonized, dehumanized, and deported en masse.
How does an immigrant nation betray them?
How does a nation that proudly proclaims “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” on the Statue of Liberty separate children from their parents, and treat human beings like policy calculations?
Superman calls this out. He shows us that being human has nothing to do with passports—it has everything to do with how you treat other human beings.
Superman flies away. Justice prevails
It’s the beauty of this movie that—whether the director set out to make a political statement or not—it did. All powerful art is political in that way. It forces you to question, to reflect, to think.
The genius of this movie is that it makes us realize:
- Immigrants are humans too. Dehumanizing them is wrong.
- Children are innocent. Bombing schools and killing civilians is wrong.
- War makes the world more dangerous. Funding conflict abroad instead of diplomacy is wrong.
- The planet is alive. Ignoring its pain, and making it bleed more, is wrong.
- Faith is for love, not murder. Weaponizing religion to justify violence is wrong.
And most importantly—the movie tells us that good will always prevail. Evil will win sometimes, but not always. Hope will be hard to see, but it will return. Superman will always return. Justice will always rise.
One more final scene for thought
In a world where truth is weaponized and compassion is ridiculed, it takes courage to be good. To love is to be brave. This film is a call for that bravery.
So, if it’s “woke”—fine. Un-belt the armor, and put aside political points. Rewatch the movie, and don’t do it through the conservative/liberal, Israeli/Palestinian, black/white, or brown lens. Superman doesn’t care about those labels.
What he does care about is that you are human. And that, my friends, should be enough.
🖋️ Written by Anthony W. Brown
Author, Educator, and Founder of King Leo Browne Publishing House
📍 Follow on IG & Facebook: @kingleobrownepublishing
🌐 www.kingleobrowne.com
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