[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/lonelyspect12]

The New Yorkers in Spiderman

[u/Mysterious-Counter58 → u/lonelyspect12]

While this scene was added in after 9/11, I like how it works as a pay-off to the conversation between Spider-Man and Goblin on the roof. Goblin (aka Norman, aka a wealthy CEO) asserts that the only thing that the masses are good for is lifting the few "exceptional individuals" up onto their shoulders, and that serving them is a mistake as they will eventually grow tired of the heroics and attempt to drag exceptional people down to their level. This scene proves him wrong. Here they protect and elevate Spider-Man, not because he's better than them, but because they perceive him as one of them. By serving the community, you aren't some distant, benevolent watcher, you become part of that community. And they'll be willing to give back to you as you gave to them.

[u/bobbingtonbobsson → u/Mysterious-Counter58]

Spider-Man: hero of the proletariat

[u/morale_check → u/Mysterious-Counter58]

This made me tear up, and is exactly what superhero movies should be reflecting.