Name: Superwho?
Genre: Comedy, Action, Family
Released: 2022-02-02T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Philippe Lacheau, Julien Arruti, Tarek Boudali, Élodie Fontan, Alice Dufour

The opening scene of Superwho? is a chaotic mess: Cédric Dugimont, a struggling actor, crashes the Badmobile through a bank, his face obscured by a superhero mask, propellant explode behind him. This is Philippe Lacheau’s 2021 French superhero comedy, a film that wears its influences—Kick-Ass, Guardians of the Galaxy—on its sleeve like a mismatched costume.

Lacheau stars as Cédric, an out-of-luck actor who lands the lead role in a superhero film after the director’s first choice is accidentally killed. The premise is clever: a man who can’t escape his own ineptitude suddenly believes he’s the hero he’s playing. The film’s best moments come from this central conceit. Cédric’s amnesia-driven antics—attacking police officers, confronting criminals with prop weapons—are intermittently funny, especially when he turns on his prerecorded “hero watch” and reacts to fictional threats as if they’re real.

The action sequences are serviceable, though never groundbreaking. The film’s humor lands hardest when it leans into its absurdity, like Cédric hitching a ride with a reporter (Alice Dufour) only to ditch her mid-chase or his misguided attempts to save Belmont’s son. The supporting cast, particularly Tarek Boudali as Adam and Julien Arruti as Seb, add energy to the proceedings, though their characters often feel like broad sketches rather than fully realized people.

Where Superwho? falters is in its pacing and tonal inconsistency. The film struggles to balance its comedic and action beats, resulting in moments that feel rushed or underdeveloped. Jean-Hugues Anglade as Michel Dugimont, Cédric’s father, brings gravitas to the role but is sidelined too often. The romantic subplot with Laure (Dufour) feels tacked on, a last-minute attempt to give Cédric some emotional stakes.

The film’s climax, where Cédric confronts Le Schizo (Amr Waked), is a highlight—finally, the action and comedy align in a way that feels purposeful. But by then, it’s too little too late. The ending, which ties up loose threads with unearned tidiness, underscores the film’s biggest flaw: a lack of ambition.

Lacheau clearly loves superhero films, but Superwho? never finds its own voice amidst the homages. It’s a film that wants to be both a satire and a celebration of the genre, but it can’t commit to either. The humor is too broad to feel sharp, and the action lacks the spectacle of mainstream superhero fare.

The film’s production values are decent, with some impressive set pieces—like the bank crash or the final confrontation—but they’re undercut by a script that can’t decide what it wants to be. The cinematography is functional but unremarkable, relying on quick cuts and shaky cam during action sequences to convey excitement rather than clarity.

Superwho? is at its best when it embraces its absurdity. Scenes like Cédric’s misguided heroics or his interactions with the reporter are genuinely funny, showcasing Lacheau’s comedic timing. But these moments are too few and far between. The film’s reliance on slapstick and physical comedy feels dated in an era where superhero films are pushing boundaries in terms of storytelling and character development.

The performances are a mixed bag. Lacheau is likable enough as Cédric, but his portrayal lacks the depth needed to make the character’s journey compelling. Dufour fares better as Laure, bringing warmth and charm to her role, but she’s given little to do beyond being a romantic interest. Anglade is the standout, delivering a nuanced performance as Michel Dugimont, though he’s criminally underutilized.

The film’s themes—identity, self-discovery, the power of belief—are interesting, but they’re never explored in any meaningful way. Superwho? settles for surface-level humor and action, never delving deeper into what makes its protagonist tick or why his journey matters.

In comparison to other superhero comedies like Kick-Ass or Deadpool, Superwho? falls short. It lacks the subversive edge of Kick-Ass or the self-awareness of Deadpool. Instead, it’s a film that feels like a love letter to the genre without adding anything new to the conversation.

Superwho? is a messy but occasionally fun superhero parody. It has its moments—some genuinely funny scenes and impressive action set pieces—but it’s ultimately hamstrung by a lack of focus and ambition.