Ending Explained for 'Superman': Kal-El's True Mission and the Future of the DCU
WARNING, SPOILER ALERT.
With Superman (2025), James Gunn launches the new DC Universe with a more introspective and emotional take on the iconic character. Played by David Corenswet, this Clark Kent steps away from being an unbeatable figure and is portrayed as a hero who doubts, suffers, and questions his place in the world. The film poses a central question: what if Superman didn’t come to save us, but to conquer us?
From the opening moments, a broader context is established: metahumans have existed for over three centuries, and Kal-El’s arrival on Earth was, in theory, prompted by Krypton’s destruction. Jor-El and Lara send their son to the blue planet in the hope of saving him. On Earth, Clark is adopted by the Kents in Smallville, where he is raised with human values and builds a life as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside Lois Lane.
However, the narrative core is shattered when it’s revealed that his parents’ original message was incomplete. What Kal-El believed to be a mandate to protect Earth was actually a mission to conquer it and repopulate it with Kryptonians. A revelation that completely changes the perspective of both the protagonist and the audience.
The Hero’s Internal Conflict
After preventing a military invasion, Superman begins to be seen as a threat. Lex Luthor, together with the Engineer and Ultraman (a clone of Kal-El himself), executes a plan to publicly undermine him and gain access to the Fortress of Solitude, where they manage to restore Jor-El’s original message.
Superman is defeated by Ultraman and rescued by his dog Krypto. Badly injured, he hides to heal using sunlight. The information revealed by Luthor unleashes chaos: the world starts seeing Superman as an invader, and he himself enters an identity crisis. Determined to prevent more destruction, he surrenders voluntarily and is locked away in a pocket dimension with his loyal companion.
The place is under Metamorpho’s control, who is forced to cooperate out of fear for his son Joey. However, when Superman promises to save him, Metamorpho generates artificial sunlight so the hero can regain his powers and manage to escape.
The Climax and Supergirl’s Arrival
With help from Lois, Mister Terrific, and Metamorpho, Superman breaks free and returns to stop Luthor and his allies. In an intense battle against Ultraman, Krypto destroys the movement prediction cameras, allowing Kal-El to finally defeat his clone.
Meanwhile, Mister Terrific manages to close the black hole that threatened to engulf Earth. Lex Luthor is arrested after it’s discovered he’d been cooperating with the nation’s enemies in exchange for power.
The film ends with an intimate moment: Superman, wounded, recovers in the Fortress of Solitude when his cousin, Kara Zor-El, appears searching for her dog. This reunion marks the beginning of a new phase in the DCU.
The Post-Credits Scenes
- Superman and Krypto observe Earth from the Moon, in a visual nod to their role as silent guardians.
- Mister Terrific reveals that the dimensional rift may not be fully closed, leaving the door open to future multiversal threats.
With this film, DC Studios takes a confident step towards a more ambitious and emotional universe, where heroes are not perfect but deeply human.
