The Void Behind the Eyes

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In the revamped Superman series by James Gunn, Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, is given a chilling makeover. This new incarnation showcases a level of ruthlessness and cruelty unseen in previous screen adaptations of the character. Hoult’s Luthor is a complex psychopath, drawing inspiration from contemporary societal issues. His disdain for all traces of human decency echoes the most unsettling portrayals of the Joker and other remorseless villains, tapping into primal fears of the lurking predator. This stands in stark contrast to David Corenswet’s endearing portrayal of Superman, who embodies kindness and goes as far as pausing during a battle to save a squirrel, highlighting his profound respect for life.

As a fervent fan, I’ve noticed that various portrayals of Lex Luthor have had instances where they shed their veneer of normalcy to reveal a ruthless beast. These moments often revolve around kryptonite, a substance that weakens our beloved Superman. In the 1978 adaptation of Superman, Gene Hackman’s bombastic Luthor is primarily comical until Superman appears at his hideout as he’s on the verge of launching nuclear missiles into the San Andreas Fault, aiming to submerge western California into the sea. “Is this how a twisted mind like yours finds pleasure?” Superman inquires. “By planning the demise of innocent lives?” Luthor retorts calmly, “No, by causing the demise of innocent lives.” In the 2006 adaptation, Superman Returns, Kevin Spacey’s arrogant and condescending Luthor seems woefully overpowered until he impales the hero with a kryptonite dagger and casts him into the ocean.

Instead of portraying, Hoults’ Luthor exudes a threatening aura the moment he appears on screen. This intimidation remains constant throughout his actions such as playing Russian roulette with one of Superman’s associates, an innocent man named Malik Ali (Dinesh Thyagarajan). When the gun discharges following the second spin of the cylinder, taking Ali’s life, Hoults’ reaction is almost a gleeful squeal. In terms of his chilling psychopathic behavior, Hoults’ Luthor seems more akin to a Martin Scorsese-style gangster than any previous portrayal of this character on the big screen.

As a passionate cinephile, I find myself captivated by Michael Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor in the cinematic universe. Similar to other incarnations, his Lex seeks Superman’s demise for tactical reasons: Superman stands as a formidable obstacle to Luthor’s commercial interests and geopolitical dreams. However, what sets him apart is his contemporary flair of arrogance. He embodies the modern-day billionaires who flaunt their wealth and power, proclaiming themselves as hybrid rock stars and monarchs, while believing their riches grant them the authority to reshape governments and govern nations. Akin to these affluent figures, Luthor revels in his villainy, adorning himself as a suave anti-hero and wielding his privilege over the masses.

Hoult’s interpretation resonates with chaos agents like Marc Andreessen, who leverages his wealth to undermine affirmative action in American universities. His character echoes that of Peter Thiel, an adversary of democracy itself, and Elon Musk, whose tenure at SpaceX focused on sabotaging government agencies that regulated his businesses. Additionally, he bears a striking resemblance to Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, who displays a disregard for human life. Naturally, it reminds me of our current president, with his petulant tendencies.

Lex Luthor’s main motivation is jealousy. Superman isn’t just a symbol of pure masculinity without harmful traits, adored by many; he serves as a constant reminder for Lex that his wealth can’t purchase the public’s admiration or silence the self-doubt gnawing at him. In their confrontations, when Lex’s agents strike Superman decisively, Hoult exuberantly cheers and pumps his fists, much like one would do during a UFC match – a pastime Trump himself has indulged in. “Yes, yes, yes!” Lex shouts, reveling in the fact that this event, which he orchestrated, is truly unfolding.

Gunn’s villainy style is typical, as he enjoys creating traditional, over-the-top villains whose downfall we can eagerly celebrate without worrying about losing our moral compass. Essentially, this Luthor is a despicable character. Hoult portrays him with a toxic demeanor reminiscent of Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho,” and even more so, Bateman’s main inspiration, Tom Cruise. Bale mentioned that his breakthrough moment during preparation was watching Cruise on the old David Letterman show and feeling he had an intense friendliness with no emotion behind his eyes. The lack of emotions is the central theme in Hoult’s performance here. His Luthor appears attentive, always aware, and a good listener, but only because he’s constantly searching for vulnerabilities. He doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings – unless they’re feeling pain that he caused.

In this role, Hoult displays several characteristics reminiscent of Tom Cruise, such as his facial expressions while thinking on the spot and his reactions to discomfort. His movements within the control room mirror Cruise’s character from Magnolia. Moreover, there are hints of Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance in The Wolf of Wall Street, where he portrays a stock scammer with assertive body language and persuasive speech. Unlike his intense demeanor in the control room, Luthor adopts a more composed tone during televised interviews, transforming into a captivating infomercial host when addressing the public. In these scenes, Hoult’s eyes are mesmerizing, as if attempting to spread prejudice and self-interest through the media, aiming straight for our emotions.

Nothing is more disconcerting than when Luthor openly expresses his prejudice. He portrays Superman as an outsider, a being who isn’t truly human, making it acceptable to imprison, torment, or even kill him. At one point, Luthor sneers, “He’s not a man, he’s an ‘it,'” and Houtl’s bitter tone implies that Luthor is speaking not only to the others in the room but also to himself, reinforcing a justification for his wrongdoings that he secretly knows is untrue.

Luthor experiences a crushing defeat that reveals his deepest insecurities, causing him to weep like a tormented bully. After being apprehended and driven away in a Humvee, Houlton shows no defiance or despair; instead, he appears shattered. His gaze is fixed on the seat in front of him as the vehicle departs, suggesting Luthor has retreated into his darkest fears. As Luthor confronts the hero who triggered his insecurities and ultimately negated him, Houlton’s face hides a chasm of torment reflecting the abysses that nearly consumed Superman. The truth about himself is unbearable for him to accept.

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2025-07-16 23:54