“How I Became a Super Hero” (Comment je suis devenu super-héros) is a French superhero thriller film released in 2021. It was directed by Douglas Attal, who adapted the book by Gérald Bronner. This film combines elements of detective noir, speculative fiction, and superhero mythology into a cohesive narrative set in an alternate Paris where superpowers are commonplace. The film has garnered acclaim for its atmospheric setting and unique storytelling approach to the genre after premiering on Netflix internationally.
Synopsis
The plot takes place in a near-future Paris. In this reality, superheroes, commonly referred to as “supers,” were once publicly adored, but now they’re reclusive and rarely seen. With the passage of time, the glitz and glamour associated with their existence has all but evaporated. The city of Paris now has markets selling superpowers like dangerous new drugs, resulting in multiple violent incidents.
The principal figure in this story is Gary Moreau, portrayed by Pio Marmaï. He is a washed-up, emotionally rake the detective. Gary has been tasked with the investigation of the strange abnormalities where everyday people suddenly start having superpowers and more often than not, quite dangerously. The connection between these occurrences is not apparent at first but it soon becomes apparent that somehow, a black market serum is granting civilians temporary superpowers, albeit unpredictably.
Gary is paired with Lieutenant Cécile Schaltzmann, played by Vimala Pons, a spirited mobile officer working to crack the case motivated by the desire to exercise definiton. As very disparate personalities and investigative approaches, they both work only to discover a conspiracy to superpowered schemes that blend them into a single storyiting to remove some illegal experiments under the bloodless face of former superheroes and a powerful adversary looking to use these powers for personal vendetta.
During the investigation, they meet Callista and Monte Carlo, former heroes who are retired and estranged from dead relationships and have critical secrets needed for curbing the illegal serum’s spread. Gary’s own enigmatic past starts surfacing, underlying that he might be far more connected to the Supers universe than he lets on. The film exposes his emotional scars and guilt-laden burdens, framing the story as much about redemptive sacrifices as it is about crime-fighting.
Cast and Characters
Gary Moreau as Pio Marmaï – A detective shrouded in complexity, stress, and emotional trauma, jaded by the world he’s known, thrust into the turbulent waters of superhuman corruption and scheming.
Vimala Pons assumes the role of Lieutenant Schaltzmann – An upstanding law enforcement professional intent on fixing the issue of retribution with violence.
Benoît Poelvoorde takes the role of Monte Carlo – The once revered superhero, now a reclusive shadow of himself.
Leïla Bekhti plays Callista – The dark history of another heroine’s tied to the film’s central enigma.
The role of Naja is played by Swann Arlaud. The manipulative mastermind who serves as the movie’s superpower drug trade is the film’s main villain.
Thematic Approach and Style
Identity, trauma, the high cost of heroism, and action sequences are blended together in How I Became A Superhero. It touches upon the deconstruction of the superhero genre by asking questions superpowers commodification, what society deems as ‘feasible’, the responsibility that comes with power, and what does heroism really cost to an individual emotionally.
Heroism has its cost and power comes with a price; the film revolves around those notions. One of the central themes encapsulated within the film is the abuse of power, and addiction. The superpower enabling illegal drug embodies the very essence of addiction and weaponization, serving as a metaphor for temptation. Furthermore, the film comments sharply on society, isolating the evil control, criminal enterprise and the commercialization that take charge in a world where superpowers “exist”.
Also explored is the loss of trauma. Gary demonstrates deep trauma through his character arc, shackled by a haunting past which is a part of the bigger film mystery. The blend of grief, moral ambiguity coupled guilt showcases one’s personal challenging journey.
How I Became a Super Hero was an example of stylistically contemporary and realistic cinema. It focuses more on the noir and Euro crime film sides of cinema instead of the glitzy side of commercial superhero movies. The capturing of Paris through the lens of orthodox superhero movies is problematic since they don’t make use of the dangerous emotions that lie in the back streets of the city; Paris is not only filled with motionless buildings, but also exudes raw emotional weight that far surpasses physical battles inundated with computer-generated effects.
Critical Reception
When How I Became a Super Hero was released on Netflix in July of 2021, both the audiences and critics had mostly positive views regarding the movie due to the uniquely refreshing perspective presented on the superhero genre. The movie did very well for itself due to the attention given towards the development of its characters along with the mature themes. It quickly became superior to a lot of superhero films because the focus was not solely on raw emotional content, but on social critique alongside story structure.
Critics also had a positive outlook on the acting side of the movie with Pio Marmaï’s depiction of Gary Moreau leading the charge for praise. Marmaï’s ability to navigate through his character’s vulnerability, cynicism, and latent fortitude strengthened the narrative. Vimala Pons received accolades as well for her portrayal of Lieutenant Schaltzmann due to the calculated ferocity she brought with her character.
Some reviewers critiqued the film’s pacing, particularly the first half, where the setup is slow and deliberate. A couple of spectators also mentioned that the film’s ending was emotionally resolving but lacked the dramatic climactic showdown typical of superhero films. Still, those who appreciated depth over action found the film an enjoyable experience.
Impact and Legacy
As a European addition to the superhero genre, How I Became a Super Hero is distinctive in and of itself. Its approach is reflective, grounded, and character-driven—offering a different flavor of superhero storytelling. The film demonstrates that international filmmakers can provide alternative cultural viewpoints toward a genre often dominated by Hollywood blockbusters.
Alongside The Boys, Watchmen, and Logan, the movie also contributed to the ongoing trend of superhero deconstruction. By emphasizing the moral complexities of power, the psychological burden of heroism, and the societal consequences of superhuman individuals, the film shifts the focus of the genre from escapism.
Conclusion
How I Became a Superhero is an evocative, rich addition to the superhero film category and mixes noir with speculative science fiction. The film does not ‘play up’ the emotional undertones of superhero movies, nor does it feature the theatrics of an action blockbuster; instead, the focus is on relentless grounding and emotional storytelling. It asks what being a hero really means, and does this without capes and costumes, only inviting reflection through strong performances, a layered script, and timely themes.
The film does not cater to those who enjoy fast-paced action complete with explosions, but it does reward those viewers who seek to examine superhuman abilities in more human terms. Anyone interested in international takes on familiar concepts or seeking heart and depth in storytelling will find How I Became a Superhero incredibly rewarding.
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