After 47 years of Superman movies, James Gunn’s 2025 film offers a poignant take on the values Superman has always embodied: truth, justice, and the American Way. Through his origin story as an alien adopted and raised in Kansas, Superman symbolizes the hope and idealism that define the American Dream: that through hard work and determination, anyone has a shot at success.
On July 11, 2025, Superman debuted in theaters nationwide and grossed $125 million during its opening weekend. Not accounting for inflation, this rendition has surpassed its predecessor, Man of Steel, which earned $116 million at launch. As a long-time fan of both Superman and Lois Lane across comics, television, and movies, I believe that David Corenswet (Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) channel the 3 C’s of character, courage, and conviction as described by FEE’s President Emeritus Lawrence W. Reed in Real Heroes: Inspiring Stories of Character, Courage, and Conviction.
Reed defines character as “Nothing more than the sum of his or her choices” (Reed 2016, 2). Compared to previous portrayals, this version of Superman places greater emphasis on the decisions he makes, including in his relationship with his girlfriend and fellow journalist at the Daily Planet, Lois Lane. True to the classic storyline, Lois is the only person who knows that Clark Kent and Superman are the same person.
Superman is focused on serving and saving humanity, living out what he believed his biological parents wanted when they sent him to Earth. But he also has the influence of growing up among humans and being raised with the values of his adoptive parents. Superman focuses on striving to do the right thing in the moment.
Lois, by contrast, is concerned about the long-term consequences of his actions. For example, she questions the interrogation method he used on the leader of a rogue state. She is able to represent the viewer in their concerns of what a superpowered being could do, and whether he should be a diplomat, a weapon, or a private citizen.
As much as I loved the thoughtful portrayal of Superman and Lois, no superhero story is complete without an archnemesis. Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor shows the darker side of tech billionaires. While he doesn’t have superpowers, he compensates with intellect, wealth, and strategic genius. As head of LuthorCorp, a conglomerate of aerospace, biotechnology, and defense technology, Luthor raises provocative questions: Why is Superman adored for using his alien powers to save humanity while entrepreneurs like him go unrecognized? Driven by jealousy and ambition, Luthor weaponizes his resources to defeat Superman.
When Superman turns himself over to the Department of Justice for questioning, he is told that, as an alien from Krypton, he has no rights. While Superman is detained, Lois is determined to find him, discovering that Superman is being held in a pocket universe with other alien prisoners. He is an anomaly for the human justice system—to be subject to the law, but normal laws would be unenforceable against him.
The final trait that unites all heroes is conviction. Despite experiencing public opprobrium, fighting robots, metahumans, and creatures of Luthor Corp, and being held prisoner in a pocket universe, Superman never wavers in his belief that he is on Earth to be a symbol of hope and save humanity. This comes full circle when he returns to his hometown and his adoptive Father, Pa Kent, reminds him that it is his choices and actions that make him human. It is not how others define you or what they plan for you; it is about staying true to who you are and what you value.
Superman and Lois Lane are, of course, comic book characters, yet they embody the traits of real heroes: character, courage, and conviction. The American Way is using our gifts and talents to make the world a freer, safer, and more prosperous place. This is a country that provides opportunities to achieve our greatest potential if we work hard and persevere. Our greatest potential will not be achieved if we are driven by envy and destruction like Lex Luthor. We must stay true to ourselves and our values even in the age of online haters, cancel culture, and sensationalist media. We should also always seek the truth and not be afraid to ask the hard questions, whether it is to those we love or to the people in power, to remain a beacon of liberty for the world. If we wish to continue to be the freest nation in the world, we must not lose sight of the values that our country was founded on.
The post Truth, Justice, and the New Superman was first published by the Foundation for Economic Education, and is republished here with permission. Please support their efforts.
