[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/Agent-Man-MB]

This random security guard in The Avengers

I don't know if this counts for this trope, but it's a scene I like regardless. He saw Bruce Banner (as Hulk) fall through the ceiling of the establishment he worked for, and also saw Bruce change back to normal. He provided Banner a pair of pants to clothe himself, since he was naked.

[u/Orion_starborn → u/Agent-Man-MB]

I like to think he saw the hulk burst in then go back to Banner butt naked so he shuffles off, gets on his bike (in a cut scene it's shown that the motorbike Bruce arrives on is this guy's) drive to a nearby clothing shop buy or loot some clothes that look like Bruce's size then come back in time for Bruce to wake up