138: A Theological Analysis of James Gunn's Superman

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team discusses Superman 2025, a new comic book movie adaptation courtesy of director James Gunn. We’ll discuss the aesthetics of the film, and analyze it from a theological perspective. Anthony’s articles about the movie:

https://kirkwood617.substack.com/p/james-gunns-superman-christus-or

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/theologicalapologetics/2025/07/james-gunns-not-so-super-superman/

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CHAPTERS & TIMECODES

00:00:00-Introduction

00:02:35-Anthony’s Articles About Superman

00:05:50-The Challenge of Movie Adaptations

00:11:12-The Role of Comic Book Media in Culture

00:15:15-Aristotle’s Criteria for Good Drama

00:21:42-Superman’s Error of Trading Plot for Spectacle

00:47:44-The Importance of Objectivity in Defining Beauty

00:53:11-Kierkegaard and the Productive Use of Imagination

01:09:59-The Theological Implications of Gunn’s Clark Kent

01:27:31-Should Superman Stories Reflect the Gospel?

01:37:23-Do Bad Movies Still Have Redemptive Value?

01:47:13-Conclusion