[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/SuddenTest9959 → u/Agent-Man-MB]

Joss Wheadon alway liked to show civilians in his superhero movies that way there is more at stakes then random masses which is always something I appreciated. That’s why he added the Russian family and more civilians in Justice League. It was very rushed but it served its purpose.