Is Comment je suis devenu super-héros woke?
How I Became a Super Hero (2020)
Movie
Released: January 1, 2020
Wokeness Score
2/10
Not woke
No political or woke messaging whatsoever. Focuses entirely on story, characters, fun, or escapism.
Key Summary Points
- Story centers on police investigation of superpower drug trafficking with no ideological overlay.
- Diversity in cast and setting feels incidental and integrated into realistic Parisian backdrop.
- No heavy-handed themes on identity, oppression, or social justice; focuses on plot and characters.
Wokeness Analysis
The French film How I Became a Super Hero presents a straightforward police procedural set in an alternate modern Paris where superheroes have integrated into society as celebrities and public figures. The core story revolves around detectives investigating a black-market drug derived from superpowered blood that temporarily grants abilities to ordinary people, leading to crimes and chaos. Plot elements focus on investigation, personal backstories, and action without injecting progressive social or political agendas. The cast features a mix of French actors with natural diversity typical of Parisian settings, but representation serves the narrative organically rather than as commentary on identity politics. One review notes realistic physical limitations for female characters in fights, countering common Hollywood tropes. No themes of systemic oppression, identity-based victimhood, or didactic messaging on marginalized groups appear. The film prioritizes entertainment, satire on celebrity culture among heroes, and thriller elements over any social indoctrination. Viewers seeking escapism find it refreshing precisely because it avoids the forced messaging prevalent in many contemporary Western productions. Minor elements like a bullied teen gaining temporary powers tie into personal revenge rather than broader equity narratives.
Plot
In an alternate present-day Paris, superheroes have become assimilated into society, often leveraging their powers for fame and celebrity status rather than vigilantism. A mysterious drug that temporarily grants superpowers to ordinary citizens spreads through the city, sparking a wave of crimes including arson. Detectives Lieutenant Moreau and his partner Lieutenant Schlatzmann investigate the source, teaming up with retired superheroes Monte Carlo and Callista. The probe uncovers a criminal organization harvesting powers from genuine superhumans. Personal histories and complications arise for the protagonists as they dismantle the operation. The film blends action, procedural elements, and light satire on modern celebrity culture in a grounded, realistic tone.