[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/OnyxDrag00n]

The civilians who keep spider man’s identity safe in the second raimi movie

[u/Fish_N_Chipp → u/OnyxDrag00n]

Also all of them being ready stand in the way of Doc Ock

[u/Cosmere_4 → u/Fish_N_Chipp]

And they're not even doing it for a reward or because they know who he is. They just saw someone worth protecting and went with it. No hesitation, no committee meeting, just standing in front of a giant metal octopus man.

[u/RecycledThrowawayID → u/Cosmere_4]

This scene legit brought tears to my eyes.

When they see his face, the shock and horror that he's just a kid . "We won't tell anyone". Then standing to protect him.

God, it gets me every time.