How I Became a Superhero Parent Guide
When it comes to a concept as popular as superheroes, being pretty good isn't enough to make this film stand out.
Parent Movie Review
In a world where some people are born with superpowers, Gary Moreau (Pio Marmai) works as a superhero specialist detective for the Paris police. While investigating two arson related crimes, Moreau and his new partner, Cecile Schaltzmann (Vimala Pons), soon learn that someone is selling a drug that can give regular people temporary powers.
I think we can all agree that superhero media has reached a saturation point. There’s just so much out there it all starts to blur together, and very little of it is good enough to rise above the noise. This latest addition to the crowded field puts up a good fight, but ultimately fails to break free from the pack.
The overall premise of How I Became a Superhero is not terribly original. Drugs giving people powers has been done before, and detective dramas even more so. While I don’t think this film subverts the genre in anyway, it is good enough to be enjoyable. The production values are high, with solid special effects and acting. And, thankfully, the English subtitles and dubbing for this French-language film are also well done. The story, though predictable, clips along at a brisk pace and keeps the audience engaged. Some of the characters lack depth, but others are interesting and detailed. I really don’t have anything substantial to complain about, but there’s also nothing groundbreaking happening here.
Overall, I enjoyed my viewing of this movie, but I probably won’t remember it tomorrow. When it comes to a concept as popular as superheroes, being pretty good isn’t enough to stand out anymore. If you enjoy superhero movies, or even just cop dramas, you’ll probably like How I Became a Superhero, but if you’re over the trend then you can feel safe in skipping this one. That said, this is an adult only film. The level of violence is slightly higher than, say, a Marvel production, though nowhere near as gratuitous as many popular comic TV shows like The Boys. There is a lot of profanity – enough to push the movie into Restricted territory - as well as continuous smoking and drinking, so perhaps even some adults might want to sit this one out.
Directed by Douglas Attal. Starring Pio Marmai, Leila Bekhti, Vimala Pons. Running time: 97 minutes. Theatrical release July 9, 2021. Updated October 2, 2021Watch the trailer for How I Became a Superhero
How I Became a Superhero
Rating & Content Info
Why is How I Became a Superhero rated TV-MA? How I Became a Superhero is rated TV-MA by the MPAA
Violence: People use their superpowers to hurt others, including with flames and electricity. A burned-up body is seen in detail. Police officers carry and use guns throughout. A man is shot multiple times. A man is strangled to death. People use hand to hand combat, including punching, kicking, and throwing.
Sexual Content: A man and woman kiss.
Profanity: (Profanity judged by the English subtitles) There are around 20 sexual expletives, as well as varying amounts of moderate and mild expletives and terms of deity.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Adult characters smoke cigarettes throughout. Adult characters drink alcohol. The plot revolves around a drug that gives you superpowers, which teens buy and consume, with obviously disastrous results.
Page last updated October 2, 2021
How I Became a Superhero Parents' Guide
Why are some teens so willing to take the superhero drug? What are the consequences of doing so? Would you want superpowers badly enough to take those risks? Why do you think we’re so fascinated with superheroes?
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The whole “drugs giving superpowers” storyline has definitely been done before – and quite recently. Project Power centers around a new drug that gives the user five minutes of a superpower – but they can’t pick the power they’re going to get. Drug induced superpowers get a comical twist in Thunder Force. When a top scientist has her experiments rushed by the klutziness of an old friend, both women become middle-aged superheroes. Forget superheroes – in the animated kid-friendly film, Spies in Disguise, a secret agent transforms into a pigeon after impulsively drinking an experimental concoction. In Shazam! there’s no drug involved – just a magical staff and the utterance of the magic word that temporarily transforms a 14 year old boy into an adult superhero.
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