Man of Steel
Man of Steel (2013) is a superhero action-adventure film that reboots the Superman origin story for the DC Extended Universe. Directed by Zack Snyder, the movie follows Clark Kent as he grapples with his extraterrestrial heritage and burgeoning superpowers, eventually embracing his destiny as Superman to protect humanity. The narrative explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and choice as Clark confronts General Zod, a Kryptonian military leader seeking to terraform Earth into a new Krypton. The film is known for its darker, more realistic tone compared to previous Superman adaptations, featuring extensive action and large-scale destruction. It targets a teenage and adult audience, with its PG-13 rating primarily due to intense sci-fi violence and some language, making it generally appropriate for viewers aged 13 and older, though younger teens may require parental guidance for its mature themes and intense sequences.
Concerns
Violence
HighMan of Steel features extensive, intense, and destructive sci-fi violence throughout, including large-scale urban destruction, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and multiple fatalities. While graphic gore is limited, the impact and consequences of violence are visually prominent and often prolonged.
The film includes numerous scenes of intense violence. For instance, General Zod and his forces engage in widespread destruction, causing entire cities like Smallville and Metropolis to be demolished with collapsing buildings, crushed cars, and explosions. A particularly brutal moment depicts Superman reluctantly snapping General Zod's neck to prevent him from killing innocent civilians. Other instances include an unarmed woman being shot and disintegrating, a character being stabbed to death with the sound of the blade audible, and Kryptonian soldiers shooting guards. There are also scenes of a young Clark Kent being bullied and a school bus full of children crashing into a river, putting them in peril.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film contains numerous frightening and intense sequences, primarily due to large-scale destruction, peril to civilians, and disturbing imagery. These elements are frequent and can be highly impactful, especially for younger viewers.
Intense scenes include the destruction of Krypton and the peril faced by its inhabitants. On Earth, a gigantic tornado threatens motorists and ultimately kills Clark's adoptive father, Jonathan Kent, as Clark watches. An alien spacecraft creates a massive gravity pull over a city, leading to widespread chaos, toppling buildings, and people screaming and running for their lives amidst falling debris. Other disturbing visuals include a Kryptonian scout ship containing a field of foetuses in balloon-like sacks, and an apocalyptic vision of a destroyed planet littered with bodies and skulls where Superman sinks into the skulls as if they are quicksand. Superman also experiences an overload of his senses as a child, seeing through his teacher's skin to her muscles and beating heart, causing him distress.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film does not contain explicit LGBTQ characters or overt representation. However, some reviews and fan communities interpret Superman's struggle with his unique identity and the need to hide his powers as an allegory for the LGBTQ experience. The concept of Kal-El being 'naturally conceived' and therefore an 'abomination' on Krypton, where births are engineered, has been cited as a parallel to being 'born different' in society.
The movie does not feature any openly LGBTQ characters or relationships. However, the `Advocate.com` highlights the allegorical aspect, noting that Jonathan Kent's advice to young Clark to "You have to keep this side of yourself a secret" can resonate with LGBT viewers who have similar experiences with well-meaning but misguided parents. Furthermore, Kal-El's natural birth on Krypton is deemed illegal and an 'abomination' by General Zod, positioning Superman as an outsider who is 'born different' from engineered Kryptonians, which some interpret as a significant LGBTQ allegory.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe movie contains mild romantic elements between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, including flirtation and kissing. There are also brief instances of suggestive content, including partial nudity in a non-sexual context and implied sexual harassment.
Clark Kent and Lois Lane share several romantic interactions, including holding hands, flirting, and a couple of passionate kisses. Suggestive content includes a scene where a computer program briefly displays a silver statue-like image of what appears to be a bare-breasted woman. Additionally, a man is shown grabbing a female waitress's buttocks in a bar, which Clark Kent intervenes to stop. Lois Lane also uses a mild sexual reference, telling two men, “If we're done comparing 'd*cks…'”.
Profanity
MediumThe film contains a moderate amount of profanity, including a strong sexual expletive and several other common curse words, some of which are used by school children. The language contributes to the film's PG-13 rating.
Profanity in Man of Steel includes one use of 'f*cking'. Other instances of coarse language mentioned in reviews include 'sh*t,' 'ass,' 'hell,' 'd*ck,' 'a**wipe,' 'damn,' and 'crap'. Some of these terms are also reportedly spoken by school children, such as 'Dumb arse,' 'arse wipe,' and 'dick splash'. Lois Lane uses crude language when she tells two guys, "If we're done comparing 'd*cks…'".
Substance Use
MediumThe film includes several instances of adult characters consuming alcohol in social settings such as bars and at home. There is no depiction of illegal drug use or substance abuse.
Adult characters are shown consuming alcohol. Examples include adults drinking at a restaurant/bar, and a scene where Lois Lane drinks a 'Scotch on the rocks'. Additionally, a man is seen drinking a beer at home. These instances portray alcohol consumption casually among adults.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe movie subtly explores themes of defiance and rebellion through Clark's struggle with his powers and Lois Lane's journalistic integrity. There are also instances of school-age bullying and mild disrespectful language.
Clark Kent experiences bullying as a child due to his differences and struggles to conform, with his peers taunting him and physically threatening him. Jonathan Kent's insistence that Clark keep his powers hidden, even at the cost of his own life during a tornado, presents a complex dynamic where Clark implicitly chafes against this restriction, which can be seen as a form of youthful defiance. Lois Lane demonstrates defiance by leaking a story to an online site after her editor, Perry White, refuses to publish it. She also uses a crude expression to dismiss a 'bro-tastic' exchange, stating, 'Now that we're done having a dick measuring contest'.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowMan of Steel does not feature any elements of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, or traditional magic rituals. The supernatural aspects of the film are attributed to advanced alien science and physiology.
The narrative of Man of Steel is grounded in science fiction, focusing on the advanced technology and unique biology of the Kryptonian race rather than magical or occult themes. There are no depictions of spells, demons, spirits, or any form of witchcraft or sorcery. The powers displayed by Superman and other Kryptonians are explained through their alien physiology under Earth's yellow sun and advanced Kryptonian science, not supernatural or magical means.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery, or sacrilegious acts. It does feature Superman as a messianic figure, which has led to some interpretive discussions about Christian allegory or 'Christ replacement references,' but these are not presented in a derogatory or anti-faith manner within the film.
Man of Steel incorporates elements of Christian allegory, particularly in its portrayal of Superman as a savior figure sent to Earth, reminiscent of biblical narratives. One scene features a stained-glass image of Christ in the background while Clark Kent seeks counsel from a preacher, which some interpret as an overt religious reference. These elements serve to draw parallels to Christian themes of sacrifice and salvation, but there is no evidence of the film mocking Christian beliefs, promoting anti-Christian messages, or depicting sacrilegious acts against Christian symbols or figures.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 13 and older. The MPAA rated Man of Steel PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action, and destruction, and for some language. Younger children may be disturbed by the pervasive destruction, frightening alien characters, and intense combat scenes, which are a significant and recurring part of the film. Parents of children aged 12-15 are recommended to provide guidance due to the severity and frequency of these elements.
Additional Notes
Man of Steel initiated a darker and more grounded take on the Superman character compared to previous iterations, setting a precedent for the DC Extended Universe. The film's intense, large-scale destruction and moral complexities, such as Superman's ultimate decision to kill General Zod, represent a significant shift in tone that parents should be aware of, especially if accustomed to lighter superhero fare. There were no noted differences across theatrical, extended, or director's cuts that would alter the content concerns for parents.
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