Synopsis:
I Want to Be a Superhero (Comment je suis devenu super-héros everything) is a French sci-fi and superhero film released in 2021. It is Attal Douglas’s first feature film. The movie is based on Gérald Bronner’s novel of the same title. This film is simultaneously refreshing and unique because it provides a different take on the superhero genre in Europe. Unlike American superhero movies that focus on high-octane, visually chaotic, and sound-centric style, How I Became A Super Hero focuses on a more grounded, noir-like tale, set in an alternate version of Paris where superpowers do exist, but are culturally buried within the normal.”
The film is set in a France that is not-so-far away in the future. It shows a world that has “superheroes”- super powered humans previously the stuff of novels, but are now real. Superheroes exist. These heroes have long been assimilated into society. They were once glorified and revered, but now these superheroes mingle with ordinary citizens. Some of them are even serving as public servants while others are sinking into obscurity.
The tale revolves around Police Lieutenant Gary Moreau (portrayed by Pio Marmaï), an exhausted, jaded officer working on the case of arson attacks connected to the increasing trade of a drug that, for a short duration, provides individuals with superhuman abilities. Moreau is soon partnered with Cécile Schaltzmann (Vimala Pons) – a young, ambitious detective who is more than ready to chase down the next lead. Together, they explore the dark underbelly of society that is willing to sell this drug to children and teenagers, often to horrific and chaotic ends.
Along the way, Moreau’s deeply buried skeletons start surfacing as the investigation progresses. He has some ties to the new world of superheroes and, this is bound to happen, used to be part of a majestic super-powered group that went kaput at some point. This history becomes important when both detectives come across this malignant scheme being perpetrated by a big baddie named Naja who plans on using the drug to manufacture an army of superhumans – the only catch is that they will all be mentally unstable and highly aggressive.
To confront Naja and stem the distribution of the drug, Moreau reaches out to former superheroes who had either gone into hiding or were long retired: Monte Carlo, a hero with an illusionist-like flair; Callista, Moreau’s figure of emotional influence who wields great power; and Gigaman, a once-renowned hero who has now become a mere shadow of himself. They face the challenge of overcoming their trauma, guilt, and rifts in order to stop the self-destructive path of a new wave of artificial super soldiers.
The story’s climax contains a dramatic standoff in Paris, where Moreau and his allies have to intercept Naja before his army of chemically-modified zealots incur catastrophic destruction. With heroism, teamwork, and self-acceptance, Moreau embraces his true self—not just as a cop, but as a cop with heroic qualities.
Cast & Characters:
Pio Marmaï as Gary Moreau – Moreau is Marmaï’s portrayal of a complicated, emotionally charged detective central to the film’s heart. A character who is neither fully law enforcement nor fully reluctant superhero, he manages the balance with enough nuance and realism to avoid feeling like a caricature.
Cécile Schaltzmann – Cécile is sharp, perceptive, and motivated. Her interactions with Moreau provide a good part of the heart and the humor of the narrative. She also acts as a metaphorical bridge between the mundane world of policing and the extraordinary world of superheroes.
Vimala Pons as Cécile
Benoît Poelvoorde as Monte Carlo: Monte Carlo is an odd character who brings new zest to the film with his sleight of hand illusions and world-weary wisdom. He signifies the waning of the glory of bygone days.
Leila Bekhti as Callista: A crucial character from Moreau’s past, Callista is a potent character who is emotionally rich and complex, and who reveals to us the unseen price of being a superhero.
Swann Arlaud as Naja: The villain of the piece is Naja, who is charismatic but terrifying at the same time. She is a product of societal neglect and obsession with power.
Direction and Visual Style
Attal directs How I Became a Super Hero with a noir touch, focusing more on the atmosphere and character building rather than on action set pieces. The film is dark and moody and set almost entirely at night or in shadowy and gloomy urban areas. Unlike other films that depict Paris as a romantic city, this film portrays it as a brooding, haunted city struggling with power – both literal and metaphorical.
The film considers power more of a dangerous weapon than as a flashy superpower, allowing the consequences to feel very real. The story’s visuals incorporate both CGI and practical effects, but the former is far more subtle in nature. Action sequences pack an emotional punch, but are not over stylized, protecting the narrative’s emotional foundation, and bringing it to a grounded place.
How I Became a Superhero likes to imagine itself as a cross between watchmen and chronicle, pointing to a far more fantastical take on the marvel universe. It mixes gritty crime drama with speculative fiction to derive a more psychological exploration of legacy morality and the tolls paid for bearing the title of hero.
The movie has redeeming qualities to it, as the name itself suggests. Society is seen glamorizing what a superpower holds, failing to remember any power, be it artificial or supernatural, comes with a price. is sold to the masses and treated as commodities. Considering the weaker section of society, the youth, And that’s where the film places focus. Moreau’s relationship with Cécile. Trust and mentorship paint the dynamic of the two, showcasing the generational change that’s over time needed to address such issues. His army alongside Naja leads to a plot surrounding a crusade against drug abuse, shedding light on not only abuse itself, but also rising concerns of rationalized youth extremism, and purpose that seeks in a world that blinds itself to the realities of the neglected.
The film also explores Moreau and Gignaman’s mental health and trauma given how they struggle to come to terms with their heroic pasts and their current state of disenchantment.
Reception & Critical Response:
How I Became a Super Hero was released on Netflix, where it was received with largely positive feedback. It garnered recognition for its more grounded approach, powerful performances, and character-driven narrative. Critics applauded the film for handling a superhero theme with emotional depth and inventiveness, unlike many commercial franchises.
Some reviewers took issue with the pacing, notably in the second act where the plot comes to a near standstill due to backstory exposition and characterization. Others stated that although there were intriguing concepts put forward, the film failed to explore them in depth. Either way, the film has been acknowledged for attempting to infuse a European perspective into a genre that is largely dominated by American studios.
Conclusion:
How I Became a Super Hero has caught my attention as it attempts to delve deeper into the humanity of each character, blending a film noir look, emotional stories, and speculative fiction to weave a narrative that deeply examines the essence of a hero. Instead of providing generic, flashy displays associated with the superhero genre, the movie respects the characters, their flaws, and their relationships, rendering a more human approach on power and responsibility.
With its grounding in real world challenges, this film incorporates emotional depth and nuance, taking a bold stance against conventional superhero films. This work may lack the typical jaw-dropping visuals and explosions, yet offers something far more meaningful: a tale of redemption and legacy that explores the bravery needed to confront one’s past to safeguard the future. Superhero aficionado or a casual viewer, How I Became a Super Hero is a powerful film that deeply explores humanity—an experience worth embarking on.
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