Glass: A New Kind of Superhero Movie

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Olivia Crimmons, Student Life

When you think of a typical superhero, your mind goes to Superman and Captain America. These characters are full of strength and bravery, saving the day and winning the love of the people. M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass examines what life would actually be like for someone with superhuman powers exploring the dark side of being extraordinary. Glass is a follow up to Shyamalan’s two previous films Unbreakable and Split. The story follows three men, all with superpowers who have been detained in a mental hospital for their so called ‘delusions’.

The three main characters are outcasts, one hiding in the shadows acting as a vigilante wanted by the police, another trapped in a mental hospital drugged to suppress his superior intelligence, and one can only access his power in the form of his murderous alter ego. This film is a stark contrast from the average superhero film which glamorizes these powers and the fame and glory that comes with them. Glass shows a pessimistic view of this trope, which, in actuality, is probably more realistic. The film shows the persecution of people who are seen as different, which can be seen in our world today. The X-Men series is another franchise that explores these ideas. The team is often in hiding from authorities, and their powers can often be dangerous and deadly. However, Glass takes this to the extreme, and all of the “gifted” characters are ultimately killed by people who disagree with their right to possess these powers. Shyamalan’s final instalment of his Unbreakable Trilogy flips genre standards and defies every expectation of a traditional superhero film.