Superman: Red Son
An alternate-universe Superman rises in the Soviet Union, forcing a legendary hero to confront the political consequences of absolute power.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- political
- heightened
- superhero marathon
- comic book night
What critics said
Critics generally praised the voice performances and accessible superhero action while finding the adaptation less substantial than its acclaimed comic source.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kal-El's rocket lands in the Soviet Union instead of Kansas, making alternate history the film's foundational premise.
Superman's Soviet upbringing places his ideals within a system defined by centralized power and ideological rule.
The story reframes Superman through Soviet and American Cold War tensions rather than conventional American exceptionalism.
The Elseworld's premise turns a classic DC character into a vehicle for examining political ideology and propaganda.
Films like Superman: Red Son, and why
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
animated superhero action with alternate political history and ideological conflict
Watchmen
superhero science fiction centered on authoritarian power, geopolitical stakes, and alternate history
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
comic-book animation combining superhero spectacle with Cold War-era political tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Sam Liu
- Release Date
- 2020-02-24
- Runtime
- 84 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (920)
Cast
- Jason Isaacs
- Amy Acker
- Diedrich Bader
- Vanessa Marshall
- Phil Morris
- Paul Williams
- Greg Chun
- Roger Craig Smith
- William Salyers
- Jim Meskimen
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Superman: Red Son about?
- An alternate-universe Superman rises in the Soviet Union, forcing a legendary hero to confront the political consequences of absolute power.
- What is Superman: Red Son like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Superman: Red Son as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Superman: Red Son violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Superman: Red Son as moderate.
- What did critics think of Superman: Red Son?
- Critics generally praised the voice performances and accessible superhero action while finding the adaptation less substantial than its acclaimed comic source.
- Which films are like Superman: Red Son?
- Films with a similar feel include Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, Watchmen, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1.
- How long is Superman: Red Son?
- Superman: Red Son runs 84 minutes.
- Where can I watch Superman: Red Son?
- In United States, Superman: Red Son is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
Browse Ember's collections
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- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 22013
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- Superman/Batman: Apocalypse2010
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