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Mia Khalifa is a lot of things: media personality, commentator, cultural provocateur, and now, an outspoken champion of James Gunn’s Superman. In a surprising yet poignant tweet that instantly went viral, Khalifa praised the film with trademark edge and clarity:

“kindness is punk” Superman that freed Palestine is my fav movie of the year so far,” she wrote.

And just like that, Twitter (and Threads, and TikTok) exploded.

Khalifa, never shy to speak truth to power or push cultural boundaries, has tapped into something deeper than your average movie reaction. She’s channeling the emotional core of Gunn’s cinematic reboot and its socio-political ripple effect, two things even critics agree are central to the success of the 2025 Superman.

Let’s break it down.

James Gunn’s Superman: A New Dawn for the Last Son of Krypton

Superman, which soared into theaters on July 11, is Warner Bros.’ boldest reboot of the franchise in decades. Helmed by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, the film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. And from the looks of it, audiences can’t get enough.

The plot, per IMDb’s official synopsis, explores Superman’s eternal duality:

“Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice, and the human way, he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.”

Critics are calling it Gunn’s most soulful work yet, a film that uses its cape-wearing protagonist not just to punch through bad guys, but to navigate the question: What does it mean to be good in a cynical world?

Box Office Domination

Opening day numbers confirm what the internet already knew: Superman is flying high.

According to CNN, Superman earned a staggering $56.5 million domestically on July 11, plus an additional $22.5 million from Thursday previews, for a total of $79 million in 48 hours. Variety reports the film debuted in 4,135 theaters across the U.S., making it the second-biggest debut of the year behind Minecraft: The Movie ($57.11 million).

It has already surpassed the domestic opening of Lilo & Stitch, which sat at $55.94 million.

And internationally? According to Deadline, Superman pulled in another $40 million from overseas, solidifying it as a global box office force.

Critics (and Fans) Are Raving

The numbers are impressive, but the reviews are even better.

Rotten Tomatoes currently has Gunn’s Superman sitting at an 82% critic score, with a whopping 93% audience score. Viewers are praising Corenswet’s vulnerable yet noble take on the iconic hero, Brosnahan’s sharp, modern Lois, and the film’s philosophical underpinnings that elevate it above typical superhero fare.

Mia Khalifa Gets Philosophical About Clark and Bruce

In a follow-up post that lit up Film Twitter, Khalifa responded to a tweet that read:

“That bum Batman is in his 40s and still getting into situationships.”

Khalifa, surprisingly eloquent and incisive, replied:

“not to get too deep, but yeah that’s the point. Clark isn’t human, but the unconditional love from his adopted parents humanized him. Bruce lost that love early in life, and it de-humanized him for a bit. He finds his way through it and heals in some adaptations, but it requires hanging up the cape and cowl”

It’s a response that wouldn’t be out of place in a graduate-level philosophy seminar. Khalifa’s insight into the psychological divergence of Superman and Batman resonated with fans across the political and cinematic spectrum.

Her commentary has now been reposted thousands of times, earning admiration from comics scholars, film buffs, and casual viewers alike. More importantly, it framed the emotional core of Superman in a way only Khalifa could: with blunt honesty and human empathy.

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