movie

How the New Superman Movie Reminded Me of Jesus

Cody Rigney

— 4 min read
How the New Superman Movie Reminded Me of Jesus
A scene from Superman (2025)

Neither my wife or I have ever watched a live action Superman movie (though I did watch some of the cartoons when I was a kid). But after reading a review from The Gospel Coalition that remarked how different the new Superman (2025) movie is compared to recent, darker super hero movies, we were intrigued. The author notes the shift of the movie by saying,

The film’s aspirational tagline—“Look up”—speaks to the shift. It’s not “Look within” or “Look at how broken this hero is!” It’s “Look up.” See how valiant he is. Be inspired to be like that too.

So, last night we decided to get a babysitter and go see the movie. Here are some things that stood out to me.

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While I would commend much of the movie, be aware if you do decide to watch the movie that it has a moderate degree of language and some mild sensuality. I wouldn't recommend taking young children to see it. Be sure to honor the Lord in whatever you do! See some tips here.

Christ Figures

Superman is clearly presented as a savior, and so in some sense is a "Christ figure." When I say someone is a Christ figure, I mean that he resembles Jesus as the Messiah by his character, actions, and things that happen to them. You can see this in other stories as well, where often times it's intentional:

  • The Lord of the Rings has several: Gandalf, Aragon, and Frodo are all Christ figures
  • Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia is a lion representative of Christ
  • Neo in The Matrix is "the One"
  • Paul Atreides in Dune is a messiah, although he is a pretty terrible one

The Bible does something like this in its own way. Many individuals in the Bible foreshadow Christ. Adam as the head of humanity, Isaac as the sacrificed son, Moses as the prophet of God, David as the king in God's Kingdom, and on we could go. These are all prefigures of Christ, which find their fulfillment in the Lord Jesus. Jesus is all those things, and the ultimate version of those things. They are meant to point us to Jesus.

If a movie or book can help to awaken you to the spiritual realities of needing Jesus as your Savior, that's great! Superman may indeed benefit your walk with Jesus, as you see Jesus as your real Savior that the fictional Superman points to. The greatness of Superman is only a shadow of the greatness of Christ, but it's a shadow that makes you more aware of the substance of that shadow, and the substance is Christ. We must not make an idol out of Superman, but rather let his character highlight to us the might of Jesus who plunders the strong man (Lex Luthor / Satan) to save our souls (Matthew 12:29).

Leaving the Ninety-Nine for the One

One not-so-subtle thing we learn about Superman in the movie again and again is that he has high view of the sanctity of life. This message is defiant of our modern culture of death (i.e. abortion, assisted suicide, constant violence, etc). Without giving any spoilers away, I will say that time and time again we saw Superman save a single person amidst all the chaos around him. In fact, I can't remember an instance where he saved a whole group of people instead of just one (could be bad memory on my part, but that's besides the point). Every single life mattered to him.

I was reminded of how Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep and the ninety-nine he left to save the one.

So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
- Luke 15:3–7 (ESV)

There are two ways you could relate to these scenes in Superman. Either you are Superman, saving someone you love. Or you are the helpless one, who sees a savior that cares about you, a savior who left everything to come find you and keep you safe from danger.

Jesus is the one who left the ninety-nine to find me and save me. He does the same for you. Those scenes in Superman were powerful reminders of that for me. But whereas the movie scenes were fiction, what Jesus did is not.

Men of Valor

One last thing I'll say. I really appreciate this movie's focus on hope and courage. In today's age where too many men are passive bystanders, my hope is that entertainment like this will inspire men toward valor. Not just any kind of valor, but a valor that is exemplified by men leading their families spiritually, taking them to church, willing to fight for those they love, willing to war against temptation, and striving toward a holy ambition with upright character that glorifies God.

Despite it's flaws, I am encouraged to see that this movie trends toward good and praiseworthy things in an industry that is usually marked by the opposite.

With that, I'll leave you with this exhortation from Paul.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Phillipians 4:8-9 (ESV)

Grace and peace to you.

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