One Chair, One Punk Song, Infinite Hope: How Superman’s Smile Reboots the DCU

A whole movie of cosmic punch ups ends with Clark Kent doing something utterly human… sliding into a chair and re‑watching grainy camcorder clips of Ma and Pa Kent.

Fans have been starved for a scene that reminds us that Superman’s secret super power is embracing humanity, and this delivers in spades.

Reddit threads are full of “I was sobbing in the theater” confessions because it reframes the god among men as the kid from Smallville we all fell for in the comics.

Add to that, the Teddybears’ “Punkrocker” (with Iggy Pop snarling “Yes I am!”) sounds like the last song you’d pair with a Hallmark ready memory reel and that’s exactly why it rules.

James Gunn’s whole thesis is that real punk is radical kindness, and Iggy Pop himself just co signed that idea saying, “Superman is the best friend you could have.”

The juxtaposition of a scruffy anthem over wholesome home videos lands like a wink. You can be rebellious and tender. That tonal mash up feels new for Superman and fans are eating it up.

Ending with the smile straight into the lens is Superman/Clark saying, “We’re gonna be okay.”

After years of darker takes, this few second grin is a mission statement for Gunn’s DCU.

Optimism without irony.

Critics and audiences alike have called that simple little moment “magical” because it feels like the franchise finally remembered its own tagline HOPE.