The film opens with Superman having lost the first battle of his life to a giant robotic-like creature dubbed the Hammer of Boravia, who is operated by Luthor and is retaliating for Superman’s involvement in a war between the dictator-led Boravia and a neighboring country, Jarhanpur. (Superman halted Boravia’s invasion, irritating its leader, a friend of Luthor.)
Bloodied and injured, Superman is rescued by his comical Super Dog, Krypto, and cared for by doctor-like robots in the ice-covered Fortress of Solitude who comfort him with video images of his biological parents from the planet Krypton — images that remind Superman of the love that sent him to Earth as well as his mission and purpose.
Meanwhile, three other superheroes — Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific of the so-called “Justice Gang“ — assist Superman in his mission against evil, although they often disagree on their tactics. While fighting a giant monster ravaging Metropolis, Superman expresses his desire to take the creature to a less-populated area so it can be studied — while the Justice Gang simply wants to kill it. This compassionate version of Superman is seen elsewhere in the film, when he saves a woman from a devastating explosion …and rescues a squirrel, too, before placing it out of harm’s way.
Once Luthor’s message becomes public, though, Superman chooses to turn himself in to the police instead of running away — believing it’s the quickest way to get to the truth but also the only chance to find his dog Krypto, who earlier had been nabbed.
Luthor and his cronies place Superman in an otherworldly prison within a “pocket universe,“ a dark chamber within another dimension that Luthor built by replicating the Big Bang — his words — with a Luthor Corp “mega collider“ that tore a “tiny hole between the two universal fabrics.“ Whatever that means.
Mister Terrific warns that Luthor’s creation could open a black hole and eliminate all life on Earth, but Luthor, of course, doesn’t care. Worse: Luthor placed a shard of kryptonite within Superman’s cell, rendering our hero powerless.
If Superman is to be saved, someone — anyone — must join forces with him and turn on Luthor.
Meanwhile, Superman’s adoptive parents provide the Man of Steel with the love he needed all along — and remind us that even the strongest hero needs a loving home. He visits his adoptive mom and dad on their scenic and postcard-worthy Kansas farm, distressed about the message from his biological parents and unsure of his future.
“I’m not who I thought I was,“ he tells his adoptive father, who reminds his son that his alien family’s past does not have to define his future.
“Your choices, your actions — that’s who makes you who you are,“ his dad says. Choking back tears, the father adds, “I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
In the film’s final scenes, the Fortress of Solitude robots once again tend to Superman’s medical needs and ask if he wishes to be comforted by footage of his parents. This time, though, they show images of his adoptive parents — moments from his childhood on the Kansas farm, learning life’s simple lessons, sharing quiet moments, and discovering what it means to be loved.
Jerry Siegel (1914-1996), the co-creator of Superman, lost his father during a robbery — an event many believe inspired his vision of a bulletproof hero. It’s clearly reflected in the 2025 version.
Photo Credit: ©DC
