A cultural resource that I believe is a great representation of an idea that serves as an imagined alternative to the conditions that exist in the movie, especially the source material, is the 2025 film “Superman”. While the film is set in a world wildly dissimilar from our own, the vision and message of the film is a stark contrast to the shifting societal views we are seeing today. Over the past decade, but especially in the last five years, a rise in cynicism felt across the globe has been reflected in film and media. This is increasingly noticeable in superhero films, especially the prior portrayals of Superman – painting the charismatic and compassionate hero as gritty, morally conflicted, and overall more dominant and aggressive. 

The James Gunn film does a great job of acknowledging the issues society is facing today by addressing them in a world removed from our own, but still close enough to be a better reflection of how the world could be. Some of the issues we’re seeing in our society today are a growing rise of cynicism, weakened trust in leadership, and growing social fragmentation. Instead of leaning into this rising negativity, Superman (2025) is framed as an intentional counter-narrative to these growing beliefs. An imagined alternative where selflessness and idealism are treated as genuine strengths rather than naivety. The love and compassion that Superman has for humanity are what make him unbreakable; it’s why people trust him to keep them safe. For many, this film felt like a renewed sense of hope, a small proof that maybe we can all be better, kinder, just like Superman. 

This imagined alternative is something that would require more systemic change than a technological one. While technology plays a key role in the film for sure, the root of it is in behavior, about the relationships we see between our heroes and those around them. This message of hope, about every life having value, and taking care of one another, isn’t something that will settle in people overnight. To truly change and reflect the compassion we see from Superman, will need a collective systemic change. It’s something that would need to impact everyday behavior and major aspects of most people’s lives.

Even though the large change we would maybe like to see as a result of this film’s messaging – bringing the corrupt billionaire with too much power to justice and stopping a major war – isn’t as feasible and would take large systemic change, there are so many people choosing hope and compassion to help others every day. There are protests across the country and the world speaking out against political corruption, violence, and war. There are volunteers across the globe helping people get access to medical care, food, and housing. Young adults across the globe are becoming social activists, fighting for the causes they care about to make the world a better place. While the world is far from perfect, this film helps bring attention to the heroes everywhere, keeping hope alive day by day.