How I Became a Superhero (2020)

How I Became a Superhero feels like a superhero movie that grew up on noir detective stories and decided to take Paris out for a midnight ride—stylish, slyly funny, and surprisingly propulsive. Instead of saving the world with sky-beams, it digs into a clever “powers-as-a-drug” premise that turns capes and celebrity into something a little grimier, and a lot more intriguing, as two cops chase a case that keeps tightening its grip. Pio Marmaï and Vimala Pons make a terrific odd-couple engine for the investigation, while Benoît Poelvoorde steals scenes with the kind of weary charm that makes every line land. If you want bright, four-quadrant spectacle, this might feel more street-level and talky—but if you’re craving a fresh, entertaining spin with real momentum and a confident sense of vibe, it’s an easy recommendation.

How I Became a Superhero wants to mash up a gritty Paris cop thriller with a satirical, lived-in superhero world, and the idea of a black-market “powers” drug is a genuinely solid hook. The problem is it often feels like the movie is sketching a great series bible rather than delivering a fully charged story, leaning on familiar genre beats and taking its time when it should be tightening the screws. If you need sharp character attachment and real momentum, you may find it oddly low-stakes and emotionally distant for long stretches. Still, the Paris setting, a few fun superhero-world details, and committed performances make it a decent pick if you’re in the mood for a moody, offbeat take rather than big, urgent spectacle.