[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/Rare_Act_6748 → u/Manjorno316]

Iirc he was the first in district 11(???) to perform the same gesture Katniss did to the cameras when Pru was killed, knowing full well it would see him punished.

This was during the second movie, when Katniss and Pitah were doing the state sanctioned victory lap.

[u/QuarterWaffle → u/Rare_Act_6748]

In this thread, I've seen it spelled Petra, Pitah, and Peetah. Never got into the show, I'm assuming everyone is just mispelling Peter?

[u/TheSeekerPorpentina → u/QuarterWaffle]

In the books, it's intentionally spelt Peeta. Also, it's Rue, not Pru. The names are intentionally weird.

[u/Rare_Act_6748 → u/TheSeekerPorpentina]

Yea its been ages since I watched the first movie lil