The new Superman reboot, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as the iconic superhero alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, has landed with a mixed reception from critics.
Set for release on July 11, the film marks the opening chapter of the newly branded DC Universe but early reviews suggest that audiences might struggle to connect.
Ahead of the release, Gunn sparked controversy by describing Superman as “an immigrant” in an interview with The Sunday Times.
“Superman is the story of America,” the filmmaker explained. “An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country… for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”
Despite Gunn’s heartfelt intentions, many critics were unimpressed.
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called the film “a dim reboot,” describing Corenswet’s Superman as “square faced” and “soulless.”
Bradshaw lamented the familiar formula, asking: “How many more superhero films… end with the same spectacular faux apocalypse in the big city with CGI skyscrapers collapsing? They were fun at first … but the thrill is gone.”
Empire magazine was equally blunt in its two star review, saying the movie simply “didn’t work.”
Reviewer Sophie Butcher praised the chemistry between Corenswet and Brosnahan but felt the film’s climax was mired in “CGI chaos” and a “restlessly intermittent tone.”
She criticised the flick’s focus on secondary characters at the expense of its core leads.
The Times labelled the film a “migraine of a movie,” with Kevin Maher finding Corenswet “serviceable” but faulting Gunn’s direction as “indigestible mush,” as if the director were “a giddy amnesiac” unaware of recent superhero movie trends.
The BBC gave a slightly more generous three stars, describing the film as “glib and flimsy,” with Nicholas Barber noting the rushed storytelling left Superman’s true heroic nature unexplored.
There were some brighter notes.
David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter called the movie “fun, pacy and enjoyable,” praising its “winning trio” of lead actors and affectionate tone.
Peter Hammond of Deadline highlighted the film’s ambition to explore “who we are, what we are becoming, and what we should aspire to,” even if the story sometimes “suffers from overload.”
Other reviewers were less convinced.
Toronto Star’s Peter Howell called the film “all over the place,” overwhelmed by too many characters and plot threads that felt more like a “preview of future DC Universe delights” than a standalone story.
Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times found the film “not quite the heart soaring Superman” she hoped for but said it left her curious about where the saga might go next.
Meanwhile, IndieWire’s Dave Ehrlich praised the leads but criticised the film for “overcorrecting” from Zack Snyder’s darker Superman movies, saying it was “too busy reacting to the world at hand to create one of its own.”
With a reported $225 million budget, Gunn has downplayed box office pressure, telling GQ the film “doesn’t need to be as big a situation as people are saying.”
This version of Superman is presented as a young, established reporter balancing his double life, joining a cast of familiar DC characters including Mister Terrific, Metamorpho, Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and the beloved Super Dog Crypto.
The film’s underwhelming reviews come amid increasing signs that superhero fatigue may be settling in with audiences.
After years of CGI heavy blockbusters filled with similar storylines and citywide destruction, many viewers are craving fresh narratives or new genres.
Critics have noted that repetitive tropes are wearing thin, making it harder for even iconic characters like Superman to stand out.
While superhero films continue to draw significant audiences worldwide, there is growing demand for originality and emotional depth beyond the typical spectacle — a challenge this latest reboot appears to struggle with.
As the DC Universe seeks to reboot itself, it remains to be seen whether this new Man of Steel can rise above the crowded superhero landscape and win over fans.
