James Gunn’s Superman is a worthy, albeit imperfect, addition to the DCEU, but the romantic relationship between David Corenswet’s Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is everything—as close to perfect as a superhero relationship comes. Soft, vulnerable, and achingly realistic, the brief moments between Lois and Clark showcase the power of a connection that goes beyond similar attributes and evolves into something bigger.
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Because romance isn’t the film’s primary focus, we understandably don’t see enough of their relationship as we’d like. Still, Superman shows us plenty as we dive into their relationship while they’re already established as a couple, allowing Corenswet and Brosnahan to meticulously fill in the fissures of all that we’ve missed. Their banter at the Daily Planet effectively contrasts their softness for each other in her kitchen, and every single kiss exhibits just how well-suited they are for one another.
That said, yes, naturally, we’re going to talk about that kiss—both of them. Romance authors have been writing unapologetically “down bad” men for quite a while now, so to see a superhero openly wear his heart on his sleeve the way Clark Kent/Superman does is gratifying. Hopeful and inspiring, even. It’s especially exciting when he’s the one who’s kissing her like his world would outright end if he stopped. She’s the sun to him, and he shows it to the audience every chance he gets.
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The chemistry between Corenswet and Brosnahan sizzles throughout the movie, but it’s Clark’s tenderness toward her that floored me and left me seated in the theatre recliners, pondering how fortunate we are because I genuinely still believe the softness we’re witnessing when we’ve been conditioned to see superheroes as mostly brooding men in their personal lives. (There are exceptions like Peter Parker! But for the most part, softness like Clark’s has been rare.) I love a grump as much as the next person, but in the year of our Lord 2025, we need more gentle spirits. We need kindness and unyielding empathy.
The fact that he’s the one planning a celebration for their three-month anniversary and kissing her like she’s the literal sun he needs to absorb says everything about the type of man he is. Clark Kent doesn’t care about toxic masculinity or pretending to be anything he isn’t. He cares about his girl, and even as they argue, it’s clear as day that it’s hurting him as much as it’s hurting her. The fact that he exhibits all his emotions and doesn’t mask anything as some unappealing means of appearing more manly is everything.
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It’s ultimately why one of the most stunning moments for Lois and Clark occurs in the dark, as he sits, defeated, while she brings him hot cocoa. To have a scene where we watch Lois take care of Clark as he allows himself to ache for the lives he couldn’t save, and everything transpiring with the cards stacked against him, is huge. The fact that the darkness in the room is contrasted by the flickers of neon lights right outside his window, as those very colors illuminate her role in his life, is a tremendous detail to analyze. It’s proof that Lois Lane is Clark Kent’s strength just as much as his gentle heart.
Therefore, it’s significant and momentous that this is the moment where Clark chooses to tell her he loves her as she holds him. It’s vital that he forgoes all sense of pride to lay down how much she means to him as he simultaneously acknowledges that he should’ve said it sooner. In addition, the hurt/comfort trope is one that isn’t utilized often in the genre, so giving the two of them a quiet moment where he’s allowed to be vulnerable paves the road for a more open, fully transparent relationship.
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And, of course, there’s the quintessential superhero kiss at the end that takes place right after Lois tells Clark she loves him, too. The giddy, unapologetically elated grin on his face further cements his love for her and authenticates that it’s something that will continue to grow with every passing day. Their kisses have no business being as hot as they are, but we have to acknowledge that it’s also the vulnerability that makes it so achingly torturous. They’re together, yet he’s still pining for her. He still can’t believe she’s his. She’s with him. The way Lois and Clark take care of each other, the lengths they’ll go to for one another, and the unwavering respect they have for each other make every interaction profoundly precious. It makes their love precious.
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Superman is now playing in theaters. What are your thoughts on Lois and Clark’s romance in Superman? Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Warner Bros.