In a breath of fresh air for the DCEU, initial critical reception is riding high as the film draws closer to release –– with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson picking up plenty of praise for his performance as the titular DC Comics antihero. 

Black Adam sets off on a dark tale of redemption and revenge, as Teth-Adam –– a brutalized Ancient Egyptian slave, finds himself brought back from the brink of death after witnessing his own son’s murder. Eventually developing incredible superpowers, Adam vows to bring evildoers across the Earth to justice –– no matter the cost. Leaving a huge body count in his wake, the Justice Society of America takes notice and butts heads with the antihero, eventually drawing to a titanic clash with several new DCEU heroes. 

Set in the past, Black Adam’s bloody take on justice draws disapproval from the Justice Society, which comprises Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), and an apparent show-stealer in Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan). 

Here’s what the critics had to say on their first viewing of the upcoming DCEU flick: 

Steve Weintraub, Collider 

Scott Menzel, Hollywood Critics Association 

Ben Rolph, DiscussingFilm 

Erik Davis, Rotten Tomatoes 

Courtney Howard, Variety 

Despite glowing reviews, one standout guest at the screening was unimpressed –– namely, Adam Klay, who called the film Bland Adam (which I found rather hilarious). 

While we’ll see whether Klay was right or wrong about his namesake, there’s no doubt that the hype for Black Adam is very much real. With promising action, a less-explored storyline, and even a big end-credits reveal, things are finally looking up for the DCEU –– which is now set to embark on an ambitious 10-year plan to take Marvel Studios head-on for the comic book film throne. 

Black Adam will release in cinemas on 21^st October 2022. 

Lead Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment