It’s been interesting to see the recent surge of superhero movies in the past few years to hit the theaters (Spiderman, Batman, Superman).  I’m always interested in a psychoanalysis of our culture when there are cultural phenomenon like this.  What need is there in us that longs for and welcomes these superheros?  Several things come to mind . . . one stands out.
 

The first thing that comes to mind is the desire for a savior/hero figure.  I have a hypothesis that one big reason why films with screwed up heroes don’t succeed (Gibson in Payback, Costner in Waterworld) is that, while the characters may be more true to our lives, they don’t hold up a standard to which we gravitate and can seek to emulate.  Yet, the hero who is dysfunctional on a myriad of different levels is the modern leading man or woman in today’s films (a consequential fact of postmodernism).  The tagline for “Payback” was, “Get ready to root for the bad guy!”   

So, when we encounter a movie in which the hero either becomes a person of integrity or maintains his or her character, we’re reminded of who we ought to be.  I think this is why these characters so resonate with us.  We must remember that from a biblical point of view, humanity was intended to be the kings and queens of God’s world, but because of Genesis 3, we have been frustrated from the full expression of that calling on our lives.  The 17th century thinker Blaise Pascal spoke of humanity as “deposed royalty.”  We are kings and queens who have been deposed from our thrones, wondering away from our rightful kingdom, unable to rightly shape and rule over God’s kingdom.  And because of this state or condition of ours, we experience something that no other creature does . . . misery.  As Pascal asked, “Who does not feel more unhappy at not being a king except a king who has been deposed?”  So, our encounter with misery is a clue to us of our intended greatness (image of God).

So, when we encounter the idealized hero in film or in print, we see, among other things, a snapshot of who God intended us to be.  But at that same moment we’re also reminded how far short we fall.  I guess we have two responses from there: (1) We either resign ourselves to the empty, lonely, and wretched conclusion of supposing we are little more than an aimless animal, or (2) we turn to One who crafted our inmost being and knit us together in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13), and from Him, discover the startling news that there is only one hero left.  Like crystal figurines, frail humanity has been irretrievably shattered in the cosmic earthquake of Genesis 3.  No heroes remain.  This is the reason for the need for a savior who is the God-man.  This is the reason for Jesus.  Only he is able to restore us to a position of righteousness (a kingly characteristic).  We need a hero! 

Suggested Reading: The Mind on Fire by Blaise Pascal