Overview & Premise
How I Became a Super Hero is a French language mystery and crime drama superhero movie by Douglas Attal. The movie had its premier in 2020 at the Deauville Film Festival and was later released in 2021. The movie features a blend of noir detective thrillers with modern day superhero themes and is based on a book by Gérald Bronner.
The movie is set in a different version of Paris where “super-héros” (superheroes) exist and mix with the population. Unlike American blockbusters, the film opts for an approach that is more focused on rural decrepitude, the heavy toll of power, and decay – all grounded in realism. It is a mix of detective stories, science fiction, and character driven drama.
Rather than focusing on an origin stories or flashy costumes like in most superhero films, the focus here is on the costs of super-powers in a society where they can be bought, sold, and exploited.
Plot Summary
Superheroes emerge as celebrities and private contractors while once again, crime in form of superpower trafficking emerges. The film opens with people devoid of superpowers suddenly exhibiting them, which results in chaos.
Pio Marmai plays the role of a tough, emotionally wounded detective named Gary Moreau who is tasked with investigating the outbreaks. Partnered with him is the more modern, smart, and progressive Lieutenant Cécile Schaltzmann, portrayed by Vimala Pons. Together, they uncover an exposed the underground market of superpowers where a new and dangerous drug enables the temporary purchase of superpowers by regular citizens.
The main antagonist is Naja, a sidekick turned villain closest to a group of retired heroes, the ‘Pack’. Naja is the culprits behind the serum that is extracted from superpowered beings which grants superpowers temporarily to anyone. The ethical and legal angles are complicated, not to mention the hard, painful memories of reclaiming their powers for heroes who became a blank to society.
As Moreau and Schaltzmann continue their investigation, they reencounter the ex-superheroes who had previously faded from the limelight. The film illustrates how Moreau is part of this world; he has a past that’s interwoven with some unresolved memories and potential powers.
In the film’s final act, the focus shifts toward an impending clash with the Naja and the now weary and older Pack, who have been brought together again. Gary has to face his own past as a superhuman, sever the shackles of dormant powers, and stop a dangerous serum from going public.
Characters and Performances
Pio Marmai as Gary Moreau
Gary is a weary and cynical police officer with a dark past, and Marmaï has brought through to the screen. Marmaï adds nuance to the role, making Gary a man who wears the weight of regret and reluctant bravery. In a world where people throw fire and levitate with ease, he is the only equilibrium as a grounded character.
Vimala Pons as Lieutenant Schaltzmann
Pons as Schaltzmann gives life to a character that is sociable, kind, and sharp. Pons gives a youthful edge to Gary’s broody, more serious demeanor and creates a vivid double act. Schaltzman does not just want to protect the world; the character has empathy toward people who abuse their powers—a refreshing take.
Benoît Poelvoorde as Monté Carlo
Monté Carlo is both a comic relief and a tragic figure, being a former superhero from the Pack. Poelvoorde’s performance infuses the role with eccentric energy, helping link the present struggle with the emotional legacy of bygone heroes.
Swann Arlaud as Naja
Naja, a personal foe of the heroes he once fought alongside, is a carefully calculated villain who is both vengeful and harboring psychological wounds. Arlaud infuses the character with a quiet menace, a stark contrast to more theatrical superhero villains.
Leïla Bekhti as Callista
Another retired superhero, Callista, who is emotionally warm, complementing with depth and maternal grounding. She adds insights of the emotional burdens of heroism and the tolls it has taken throughout the years.
Themes & Symbolism
Superpowers as a Commodity
This film focuses primarily on the exploitation and commercialization of superpowers. The serum serves both as a metaphor for addiction and a commentary on society’s willingness to go to extreme lengths for power, glory, or acceptance.
Trauma and Suppression
Gary and several other characters are suppressing memories, powers, and abilities that they have chosen to ignore. The film uncovers the bond between trauma and power and the consequences of evading one’s history.
Corruption and Society
The portrayal of superheroes living life among the civilians parallels the real-world discussions around privilege, fame, and the police. Some heroes are living in opulence while the other is living in obscurity. This can be perceived as a criticism of how society appreciates some while ignores others.
Redemption
The film depicts the journey of people seeking a second chance in life. Gary’s journey is a redemptive one, both in accepting his identity and in stopping Naja. The older heroes also reclaim some lost purpose and identity after years of self-imposed hiding.
Visual Style and Direction
How I Became a Superhero stands out with its unique approach to superhero movies, focusing on realism. Director Douglas Attal does not rely on special effects; instead, he presents Paris as a gritty, foggy, and dimly lit backdrop to the extraordinary events.
Although modest, the special effects have been applied effectively. Superpowers are dispayed with an appropriate amount of gravity. There is no excessive CGI. Instead, superpowers are depicted in raw and often unsettling ways, which is more instinctive and threatening.
There are moments of humor, sadness, and suspense, but the overall tone remains grounded. Instead of chaotic destruction, the character-driven action scenes are more practical and subdued.
Throughout the film, the synths and suspenseful string instruments work in a harmonious way to maintain tension which emphasizes parts of the film which have a more ‘noir’ feel.
Reception And Legacy
How I Became a Super Hero is a superhero film that was received positively due to the unique approach the filmmakers decided to take. The filmmakers take a more human approach with deeper emotional themes with flawed characters. The film was praised for its performance and the pacing. Along with the pacing, the detectives and superhero stories were combined in an exquisite way.
Films that focus on character instead of dazzling visuals are usually more successful, like this film. Flawed characters desperately trying to survive in a world where superpowers exist, is a refreshing take instead of the usual superhero film filled with spectacles.
Paris serves as a unique and moody backdrop for a superhero story, and for people from outside France, it allows them to experience a different perspective on the genre.
Conclusion
How I Became a Super Hero is a power-driven thriller that a genre-bending emotional backbone, and also, redefines the notion of power. The film embraces a more human story, stepping away from the superhero tropes through grounded performances, a gritty urban setting, and thematic depth.
Rather than trying to figure out how to save the world, the film pivots on what happens when a person’s powers become part of a black market. Blending action, emotion, and moral complexity, this French film claims a distinct position in the ever-expanding list of superhero movies.
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