The latest Superman film has finally arrived in cinemas, and fans of the iconic DC Comics superhero have been turning out in large numbers to witness director James Gunn’s rebooted take on the Man of Steel.

Starring David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the film has garnered mixed reviews from critics. However, audience reactions appear more favourable, with the film currently boasting a 95 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite this, one controversial plot development has sparked considerable debate among fans.

⚠️ Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for the new Superman film.

A Shocking Revelation About Superman’s Origins
Throughout the film, Superman receives a series of holographic messages from his biological parents, Jor-El and Lara, portrayed by Bradley Cooper and Angela Sarafyan. Initially, these messages offer guidance and comfort. However, a final distorted message is later intercepted and decrypted by Lex Luthor, who uses it to expose a shocking revelation.

Luthor publicly claims that Superman’s parents sent him to Earth not to protect humanity, but to conquer it—a stark contrast to the hero’s current path of peace and protection.

Director James Gunn defended the plot twist in an interview with Inverse, stating:

“It’s happened before in the comics. It’s few and far between, but it’s happened.”

Indeed, versions of Superman’s parents as antagonists have previously appeared, such as in the television series Krypton and the 2022 comic storyline Flashpoint Beyond. However, this portrayal marks a significant departure from the more traditionally noble versions played by Russell Crowe (Man of Steel, 2013) and Marlon Brando (Superman, 1978).

Fan Reactions: Admiration and Outrage
The creative decision has polarised the fanbase, with many expressing frustration over what they see as a betrayal of the characters’ legacy.

“I love the movie but that plot twist was just... it's not it. I'm really not a big fan of making the dead parents bad people,” one conflicted fan wrote on social media.

“I liked it a lot overall. But I really HATE the character assassination of Jor-El and Lara. Completely unnecessary for that to be the ‘real’ message instead of a ploy by Lex,” lamented another fan on Reddit.

“I’m still trying to comprehend why Jor-El wanted Clark to take control of Earth and kill anyone who gets in his way? I’m really not sure what James Gunn was thinking during that stuff,” added a third viewer.

One fan even linked the twist to Gunn’s earlier comments about the film touching on themes of immigration:

“It is funny how Superman is being labelled woke/pro-immigrant because there is a plot twist that is incredibly reactionary and very much plays into anti-immigrant rhetoric.”

A Franchise-Defining Moment
Despite the controversy, the film has received praise in some quarters. In a four-star review for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote:

“Superman is a manifesto for a franchise. It had no other choice but to be. The weight of expectation is so heavy at this point that even the audience might feel a little tension in their shoulders as they shuffle in to take their seats.
Superman needs to save the comic book genre from itself; from box office flop after box office flop. Superman needs to do right by one of pop culture’s greatest heroes.”

As the dust settles, it remains to be seen whether the bold narrative choices in this reboot will stand the test of time—or simply divide fans further in their love for the Last Son of Krypton.