Did James Gunn's Superman weave real-world politics into a summer blockbuster?
From global conflict to immigrant solidarity, political moments in James Gunn's Superman have sparked conversation without compromising on spectacle.
When James Gunn’s Superman arrived in theaters, it was marketed as a reintroduction of the Man of Steel for a new era. What’s become increasingly clear in the weeks since its release is that the film doesn’t just reboot a character — it confronts the socio-political world he now inhabits. Several moments in the movie have stirred widespread attention for their apparent commentary on modern-day conflicts, nationalism, immigration, and morality.
While James has stated that the film is more “about morality and kindness,” audiences and commentators have latched onto its political undercurrents — and, in some cases, stormed into full-blown debate.
A fictional war that feels all too real
Among the film’s most widely discussed sequences is the military conflict between the fictional nations of Boravia and Jarhanpur. When Boravia, a technologically advanced superpower and U.S. ally, attempts to invade the smaller, politically unstable Jarhanpur, Superman intervenes — stopping tanks, rerouting drones, and shielding civilians — all without killing anyone.
{{/usCountry}}Among the film’s most widely discussed sequences is the military conflict between the fictional nations of Boravia and Jarhanpur. When Boravia, a technologically advanced superpower and U.S. ally, attempts to invade the smaller, politically unstable Jarhanpur, Superman intervenes — stopping tanks, rerouting drones, and shielding civilians — all without killing anyone.
{{/usCountry}}The visual language is stark, the power dynamics clear. Though the film makes no direct reference to real-world events, the imagery has prompted viewers to draw parallels with contemporary global conflicts, including the Israel-Gaza war and the Ukraine invasion. Some right-wing commentators labeled it “propaganda,” while others on the left pointed to the Jarhanpur children who chant Superman’s name and fly his flag in defiance of Boravian soldiers as a striking image of grassroots resistance.
{{/usCountry}}The visual language is stark, the power dynamics clear. Though the film makes no direct reference to real-world events, the imagery has prompted viewers to draw parallels with contemporary global conflicts, including the Israel-Gaza war and the Ukraine invasion. Some right-wing commentators labeled it “propaganda,” while others on the left pointed to the Jarhanpur children who chant Superman’s name and fly his flag in defiance of Boravian soldiers as a striking image of grassroots resistance.
{{/usCountry}}James, in interviews, has denied any intentional parallels to the Middle East, stating the script predates recent escalations. Still, the optics have resonated. Whether viewers interpret the war sequence as metaphor or coincidence, it’s one of the film’s most politically potent stretches.
I was raised here: A Superman monologue sparks reflection
Throughout the movie Lex Luthor brands Superman as “an alien threat” who “pretends to be one of us,”. Towards the end of the movie, Superman responds with a monologue that has since been widely quoted and debated.
“I was raised here. I went to school here. I learned to love here. I’ve saved lives here — not because I had to, but because I care. If that’s not being from here, then what is?” a visibly irritated Superman asked Lex, after the latter, once again called him an ‘alien’.
The scene is performed not as Clark Kent, but in full Superman regalia — cape, crest, and all — as he speaks not just to Lex, but to its people. The speech has been seen by many as a modern-day immigrant’s manifesto, delivered by the ultimate outsider-turned-hero. For others, it was a pointed statement on belonging, identity, and who gets to be considered “one of us” in times of fear and division.
Changing the motto
Once synonymous with “truth, justice, and the American way,” Superman’s creed has undergone a subtle but meaningful update. In Gunn’s version, the phrase becomes “truth, justice, and the human way” — a shift that aligns with the character’s expanding global resonance.
The change isn’t just symbolic. In a crucial scene, just before Boravian forces descend on a Jarhanpur village, a group of children — waving a Superman flag — begin chanting his name. The moment is not about American nationalism but universal protection. To them, Superman doesn’t represent a country; he represents hope.
The updated motto is never directly addressed in the script, but it lingers as subtext throughout. In an era where nationalism and tribalism dominate headlines, Superman’s revised code reflects a more inclusive, globally attuned worldview.
The public reaction: Applause and accusation
Beyond the screen, the political commentary has sparked wide-ranging reactions. Right-wing media has branded the film “Superwoke,” with commentators mocking James’ portrayal of Superman as an immigrant. One segment joked that the cape might as well read “MS-13,” while another questioned whether anyone wanted “ideological lectures” in their summer blockbusters. Former Superman actor Dean Cain expressed concern that politicizing the character might alienate longtime fans.
Meanwhile, progressive outlets and social media users praised the film for addressing complex themes without losing its mainstream appeal. James, for his part, has addressed the controversy directly: “Yes, this is a movie about politics. But on another level, it’s about morality and kindness. And if someone’s offended by that — screw them.”
A gamble that resonates
What’s notable is not whether Superman takes sides — it doesn’t — but that it dares to enter the conversation at all. At a time when many big-budget films avoid contemporary issues to maximize global box office appeal, Superman leans into them: war, identity, immigration, moral compromise.
None of these topics are new to the character. Since his debut in 1938 — created by two Jewish sons of immigrants amid the rise of fascism — Superman has always been a political figure, cloaked in red and blue idealism. What James does is bring those tensions back into the foreground.
As moviegoers continue to debate what Superman stands for in 2025, one thing is certain: this film didn’t just reboot a hero — it reflected a world still searching for one.
