Arab News

DUBAI: James Gunn’s new “Superman” film is drawing attention online for what many viewers interpret as a pointed political message. 

A scene showing a heavily armed military force attacking civilians across a border, where children’s lives are at risk, has sparked comparisons to the Israel-Gaza war.

yall were not kidding about how anti-israel and pro palestine that superman movie was, and they were not slick with it AT ALL pic.twitter.com/U15Es5wqSa

— cassandra²⁰ 🪞SHAWN 28.08 (@shawnsalbatross) July 10, 2025

While neither Gunn nor the cast have stated the film references Israel or Palestine, early audiences have drawn their own conclusions, suggesting the conflict serves as an allegorical backdrop.

One user wrote on X: “Y’all were not kidding about how anti-Israel and pro-Palestine that superman movie was, and they were not slick with it AT ALL,” while another said: “Superman was so openly anti-Israel and god it was so good.” 

Another user said: “Not going to lie I really like the anti-Israel sentiment from superman and now I know James Gunn is always standing on business.” 

ngl i really like the anti israel sentiment from superman and now ik james gunn is always standing on business https://t.co/cEhrMMK7jH

— n 🇧🇩 (@cupidmiilktea) July 12, 2025

Though the film never names specific nations, Gunn has said in interviews that it tackles themes of “politics” and “morality,” and positions Superman as an immigrant, comments that have also sparked backlash from some US conservatives.

The film is a reboot of the DC franchise and marks the beginning of Gunn’s new DC Universe. It stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The cast also includes Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl.

The movie was released in Saudi Arabia on July 10.