🎬 Movie Review: Black Adam (2025)
“Power isn’t justice. But it can change the world.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returns as the electrifying anti-hero in Black Adam (2025), the sequel that amps up the action, dives deeper into ancient lore, and expands the DC Universe with a vengeance. Directed by James Wan, this follow-up leans darker, sharper, and more morally complex than the 2022 original.
Set a few years after the first film, Kahndaq is now a conflicted state—free from outside rule, but fractured internally. Black Adam, now viewed as both a protector and a tyrant, faces growing unrest. When a hidden sect resurrects an ancient rival deity known as Apep, the embodiment of chaos and entropy, Adam is forced to confront not only his past sins, but the limits of raw power.
The story skillfully blends mythology with political intrigue and modern themes. Apep, portrayed with chilling gravitas by Mahershala Ali, isn’t just a villain—he’s a force of nature who challenges Adam ideologically, questioning whether power alone can ever truly bring peace. Their conflict unfolds across cosmic battlegrounds and emotionally charged debates.
Visually, the film is stunning. From lightning-lit skirmishes in ancient ruins to reality-warping fights in astral planes, every frame feels epic. Wan’s horror-tinged aesthetic brings weight to the magical elements, while slow-motion battles and thunderous sound design make each blow feel seismic. The CGI is top-tier, but never overwhelms the human drama at the core.
Dwayne Johnson shows greater emotional range here, portraying Adam as a haunted warrior torn between vengeance and redemption. Supporting performances from Aldis Hodge (Hawkman) and Quintessa Swindell (Cyclone) help ground the story, while a surprise cameo by Superman (Henry Cavill) during a post-credits scene had fans in theaters literally cheering.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Black Adam (2025) raises the stakes, sharpens the storytelling, and confirms that DC’s most unpredictable force is far from finished. It’s a story of gods, guilt, and what it means to wield power in a broken world.
