Mike Franchia’s Harsh Take on the New Superman Film

Mike Franchia didn’t hold back when expressing his thoughts on the latest Superman movie. In a podcast episode released on Monday, he described director James Gunn’s film as “pure torture,” launching into a 15-minute critique of the movie.

“Once upon a time, for those who tried to engage with Superman on-screen for long periods, this film was unbearable,” Franchia remarked, clearly disappointed.

“If my name was in the credits, I’d want to hide it—it’s just that terrible… completely unmitigated garbage,” he continued.

The film features David Corenswet as Superman and reportedly grossed $125 million during its opening weekend. Despite its success, it seemed the quality wasn’t up to par; it even earned an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, missing the inclusion of Crypto, Superman’s canine companion.

“Did they really not bring in Super Dog? Everyone loves dogs,” he quipped, hinting at a missed opportunity.

The franchise seems unlikely to reconsider superhero films anytime soon. “If you were to ask me to sit through that again, I’d need a huge paycheck before I’d even think about it,” Franchia said, emphasizing his displeasure.

“It was two hours of agony. Honestly, the worst thing I’ve ever had to sit through.” He went on to describe how painful the experience was, saying he contemplated inflicting pain on himself just to feel something different. “This movie was horrifying,” he concluded.

Franchia, known for his outspoken nature, has built a reputation over the years, but this take on Superman has shaken things up. Meanwhile, entertainment critic Johnny Olexinski gave the film a favorable three out of four stars, presenting a stark contrast to Franchia’s view.