Maybe the real punk rock is the resurgence of softness. Every so often, conversations about softness in male characters start to circulate on the internet, with people deeming them “boring.” They deem the writing of said characters as “weak” and “less compelling.” Conflict and redemption arcs are thrilling, yes, but softness isn’t boring. Softness isn’t the absence of captivating characterizations. It doesn’t mean that there’s no story to tell, or that the story is somehow less exciting, and David Corenswet’s Superman proves this.
To start, the romantic relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent is integral to the plot of Superman, and his kindness matters for the sake of humanity as a whole. That is already an effective narrative plot. The world is metaphorically on fire—I don’t have to say the words outright for readers to know what I’m talking about. It’s hard to trust people. It’s hard to trust men. It’s hard to trust politicians. It’s hard to believe that there’s any goodness left in this cesspool. So, when a man like Clark Kent openly talks about his love for humanity, in addition to his fears and flaws, hope is restored a little. Things feel brighter. For five seconds, or in this case, two hours, the world isn’t on fire.
Clark’s softness is a beautiful, breathtaking detail about him, and it makes the relationship with Lois Lane easier to appreciate. It makes it easy to trust him—to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he’ll show up for her, at all times. Because really, there’s no denying that his softness is his strength. His inability to watch people suffer is where his heart aches the most. It’s easy to feel anger, frustration, and the wounds from betrayal. It’s easy to get annoyed and jump to conclusions. It’s harder to push all those emotions aside and choose to let your heart take over instead.
That’s what David Corenswet’s Superman does after the fight with Lois, after learning the truth about his parents, and after all of Metropolis turns against him. He chooses to set it all aside and continues to love. He chooses to forgive, and he chooses to still see the goodness in them. He chooses to fight, with all his might.. If we all take a good, hard look at ourselves, none of us would be willing to do that. We’d stay angrier for a little while longer. We’d marinate in our pain, cast the blame on others.
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But that’s not what Clark does, and on the surface, it might seem saccharine or unrealistic, but everything about it is what’s actually hopeful. Kindness is the closest thing we have to magic in the real world, and threaded with romance, everything about it shines even more. His character redefines the superhero genre and adds a layer of warmth in a way that’s indescribable. We’re meant to trust superheroes, sure, but it’s effortless to adore David Corenswet’s version of Clark Kent.
It’s almost unbearable to hear Lois say the words, “You think everyone and everything is beautiful,” and for a few moments believe that his truth could maybe change something in us. I burst into tears right on the spot at that moment because I couldn’t believe that we were voicing these words about a man. A superhero. Someone who’s meant to protect the world. And yes, there have been superheroes with big hearts like him in the past (Spider-Man, Captain America, T’Challa, to name a few), but Clark Kent came to us right when we needed him the most. When we needed to hope and faith that people can be nice.
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And, now for the sentimental part: anxiety is a tormenting beast that never lets up. Add OCD onto that equation, and you’re consistently dealing with a monster that’s both only visible to you and set out to make your life miserable. Anxiety is a terror, the belief that your friends hate you, that you’re annoying, that the world would be better off without you—no one should feel these things, and yet, here we are. There are countless people like me who are struggling daily, and it’s because people aren’t inherently kind. People aren’t willing to meet us halfway. And in truth? When I’m cranky, stressed, and anxious? Neither am I. I’m not above it, nor will I pretend I am. But the awareness that softness is a tool we all need is what helps relieve anger more quickly. When we’re willing to be better versions of ourselves, it’s easier to apologize and make matters right. It’s easy to hope that people might do the same. Like, in full transparency? I’m tired of silly internet wars over ships and fictional opinions when there are children starving in Gaza. The world is garbage. We all need to do better, and it can start by understanding that softness in a cruel world is a strength.
Superman is now playing in theaters and is available for pre-order.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Warner Bros.