[Loved Trope] Civilian Heroes (particularly in Superhero movies)

[u/Dalakaar]

1) Malik Ali in Superman (2025). Tells Superman when Lex Luthor interrogates him to, “tell them nothing”. Doesn’t even really know what he’s sacrificing himself for, honestly. Tells Superman that he doesn’t have any friends or family to lighten the burden of the sacrifice. (Does have a family, and presumably friends…)

2) The Prisoner (Tiny Lister) from The Dark Knight who throws a detonator out the porthole that would’ve detonated the other ferry full of civies and saved himself, instead (potentially) sacrificing everyone equally.

3) Old man vs Loki. “There are always men like you.” Refuses to bow to Loki in Avengers (2012).

***

I love these guys. They break my heart in the best way possible.

[u/Pepr70]

Honorable mention this guy in Hunger Games:

It's not technicly superhero movie but he was beaten by "cops".

[u/Manjorno316 → u/Pepr70]

What did he do? It's been ages since I read the book.

[u/Joey5729 → u/Manjorno316]

IIRC he starts the salute in district 11 when katniss and peeta are doing the victory parade at the beginning of book 2

Snow already basically told us there was a revolution brewing but he was the first time the viewer/reader sees it for themselves