PR lessons can one learn from the new 2025 movie Superman

Disappointing.
That’s the word that came to my mind after watching Superman (2025).

The film throws in a bunch of oddball characters, most of whom pop in and out without leaving the desired impression. The only one who made any kind of impact was Mister Terrific, a black superhero who wonderfully beats up Lux Luthor’s henchmen in one scene. And that’s pretty much all the great action he gets to do.

Convoluted and exasperating

The overall ongoings especially in the first hour-and-a-half of the film felt warped and sometimes disjointed to me. In my opinion… a complete disservice to the legacy of Superman films I grew up admiring.

A disappointment in cape, but a masterclass in PR

The new Superman actor (David Corenswet) didn’t charm me much either. Yes, he resembles a lab mixed clone of some of the past actors who have played Superman, but that resemblance doesn’t make him memorable as such. I felt, he walks through the role, checking boxes without really inhabiting the soul of the character.

One scene sealed it for me when a villain kicks Superman in the groin and he actually doubles over in pain. To me, that one cheap moment seemed to reflect some of the creative choices in the film.

And Then, Out of Nowhere, the Last 30 Minutes Happened

Just when I thought the film was beyond saving, the last half hour took me by complete surprise. It was sharp. It was cinematic. It felt like the director suddenly became prolific. The storytelling clicked. The emotion landed. The super-sleek action had purpose. For the first time in the whole film, I was engaged. If only the rest had lived up to that standard.

This is James Gunn’s Superman, the first official entry in the new DC Universe. The buzz was generally positive, but I wasn’t buying into the hype.

Yet, here’s the twist. The PR was absolutely flawless.

I couldn’t ignore the fact that the film felt like an event. Not because of the story, but because of how well it was sold. The PR campaign didn’t just promote the film. It turned it into a cultural talking point.

Let me break down why the PR hype worked and what we can learn from it.

1. They Knew Their Audience

The PR team didn’t treat the audience like a single block. They catered to different types of viewers. Casual moviegoers got the bright visuals and light vibes, while diehard DC fans were handed deep cut references and lore to chew on.

My takeaway: Don’t try to please everyone with the same pitch. Speak differently to different segments. That’s how you create FOMO and fandom at the same time.

2. They Made the Brand UnmissableThe Superman logo wasn’t just on posters. It was on skyscrapers. I saw in the news that it was lighting up The Shard in London (formerly London Bridge Tower). I heard it was also there in Samsung tie-ins and coffee table booklets in US and Europe.

My takeaway: If your brand isn’t showing up in the spaces where people live and breathe, you’re not playing to win.

3. They Balanced Nostalgia with Novelty

They brought back the red trunks. They added Krypto the Superdog. Robots who take care of Superman when he needs them. There was a clear respect for tradition, but they didn’t shy away from newness either. And yes, there is also the Supergirl surprise at the end of the movie.

My takeaway: Respect your legacy but don’t get stuck in it. Relevance needs reinvention.

4. They Pulled at EmotionsThis wasn’t just Superman punching villains. He was wrestling public opinion, loneliness, and a brutal smear campaign. Lex Luthor attacked him not just physically but through media manipulation. And Superman didn’t hide. He clarified. He stood firm. He kept showing up.

My takeaway: When crisis hits, don’t duck. Show up with your values intact. That’s how you earn real trust.

5. They Mastered the Hype CycleEverything about the rollout was timed. Teasers, cryptic social posts, exclusive sneak peeks. They orchestrated every beat. Even I found myself curious at times despite my doubts.

My takeaway: Don’t just release something. Build up to it. Let anticipation do the work for you.

6. They Showed What They Stand For

In one bold sequence, Superman gets arrested while standing up for the people. The symbolism wasn’t subtle, but it worked. It made a statement.

My takeaway: If your brand stands for something, live it. Don’t just talk values. Act on them.

Key takeaways:

• Speak to different audience segments with intention.
• Make your brand impossible to ignore.
• Blend the past with something new.
• Let authenticity drive emotional connection.
• Time your messaging like a story arc.
• Live your values out loud.

If Superman can win back a skeptical world, maybe we can win our Bollywood markets too. We just have to think bigger, move faster, and tell our stories in ways the world can’t brush aside. Because in the end, you’re either building your legend or getting left behind.