In the current age of cinema, most films are either cash grabs or films that lack any meaningful message. However, this year’s lineup of films has proven that studios have listened to audiences and are now delivering films with meaningful messages again.

But what films that came out this year, how impactful and meaningful are the messages?

Thunderbolts:

Despite this film flopping at the box office, this movie has proven to be one of Marvel’s strongest films to come out recently! That is because this is not just another Marvel cash grab, like in the past, but a film that serves as a commentary on mental health. This is seen through every character in the film as they struggle with their own depression, anxiety, or just wanting to matter—mainly, Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, and Bob, played by Lewis Pullman.

Not to mention that the villain of the film “The Void” may seem like another comic book villain, but is really just a metaphor for depression and how much it consumes us. But in the end, what the film teaches us is that we’re not alone and to find the right people to embrace us like this group of superheroes did.

Fantastic 4 First Steps:

With this film being a proper adaptation of Marvel’s First Family, the movie shows why family truly matters. Despite being a group of superheroes with cool superpowers and not being seen as normal, these heroes are just trying to live an everyday family life like the rest of us. This is primarily evident in Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s journey to becoming parents after the birth of their son, Franklin Richards.

This hit home for me because the film made me realize how much my own parents have done for me, and to show audiences like myself that family, in fact, does matter. 

Superman:

With this film being the first official entry in James Gunn’s DC cinematic universe, it proves that it’s more than just another superhero movie. Superman is being mischaracterized as a dark, gritty character with a god complex, who only tolerates saving people in the past. This really destroyed what the character actually stood for: kindness, hope, and justice.

This film not only restores that lost hope, but it also humanizes Superman as he struggles with his own identity after learning who his biological parents were. That is, until his adoptive parents remind him that who he is is not defined by his birth parents but by his choices and actions. Even though Superman is an alien with godlike powers, his humanity, which his adoptive parents gave him, is what makes him the hero we know today.

With everything going on in the world, we need that hero; we need someone to show that it’s okay to love, to be selfless, but most importantly, to be human, because kindness is Punk Rock.

K-Pop Demon Hunters:

With this being one of the most popular films on Netflix, it has a great message about being true to yourself. The film follows Rumi and her friends, who are K-pop stars but are also hunting demons who try to take over the world.

However, Rumi herself is part demon and has scars that show it, which she keeps from her friends. But hiding her scars is a metaphor for hiding her flaw, which any of us can relate to. In the end, Rumi accepts her scars and that it’s okay to be flawed, a lesson we can learn from.

Overall, these films convey great messages that can help us learn and become the best version of ourselves, and I’m willing to bet that more films will follow suit.

Peter Caram is a columnist. Contact him at [email protected]