Superman (2025): Ethics, Hope, and the Power of Choice • A Special Hiatus Episode
Matthew and Riki welcome frequent guest Jessica Plummer to a discussion of James Gunn’s take on Superman, exploring how this version challenges both the character and audiences to think differently about power, responsibility, and hope.
Key Ethical Questions We Explore
Should Superman intervene in international conflicts?
The hosts examine the film’s most compelling scene: Lois Lane’s hard-hitting interview with Superman about his decision to stop a military invasion. This sequence raises fundamental questions about sovereignty, journalism, and the responsibility that comes with ultimate power. The discussion reveals how the film sits in the tension between idealism and pragmatism, ultimately landing on Superman’s simple but powerful argument: “People are dying.”
What makes this Superman different from previous versions?
Unlike other portrayals that emphasize Superman’s alien heritage as a source of wisdom, this film flips the script. Here, Krypton’s message promotes authoritarian rule, making Superman’s choice to embrace the values taught by Martha and Jonathan Kent entirely his own decision. This shift gives Clark Kent true agency as a hero, something the hosts argue has been missing from previous films.
What role should journalism play in holding heroes accountable?
Lois Lane’s portrayal as an investigative journalist who challenges Superman creates a fascinating dynamic. The hosts discuss how her questions—while sometimes cynical—ultimately make Superman a better hero, and how their relationship models the importance of being challenged by those we love and respect.
For fans of ethical philosophy, superhero narratives, or anyone interested in how entertainment shapes our moral imagination, this episode provides both entertainment and genuine food for thought about what it means to be good in a complicated world.
Regular Episodes Return in September!
