Released in 2022, Black Adam is a superhero film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and produced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who also stars as the titular character. It is part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and serves as both a spin-off and a semi-sequel to Shazam! (2019). The film stands out for its darker tone, moral complexity, and focus on a character who exists between heroism and vengeance — an antihero who challenges traditional notions of justice and power.
Introduction and Setting
Set in the fictional Middle Eastern nation of Kahndaq, Black Adam opens in the ancient past, when the kingdom was enslaved under a tyrannical ruler seeking to forge a magical artifact known as the Crown of Sabbac — a source of demonic power. A slave boy rises to rebellion and is granted the powers of the gods, becoming the mythic champion of Kahndaq. However, in the present day, his story has become legend — and the truth behind it is much darker.
In modern Kahndaq, the nation remains under oppression, this time not by kings, but by foreign mercenaries and corporate forces. When archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz discovers the Crown of Sabbac, she inadvertently awakens the ancient champion — Teth-Adam, who has been imprisoned for millennia. What follows is a violent awakening of divine retribution and the emergence of a force that neither heroes nor villains can control.
The Character of Teth-Adam (Black Adam)
Teth-Adam, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, is unlike the conventional superheroes of the DCEU. Unlike Superman, Wonder Woman, or Shazam, he does not fight for justice or peace. His actions are driven by vengeance, grief, and a deep-seated sense of loss. His power is nearly godlike — derived from the same ancient magic as Shazam — granting him superhuman strength, speed, endurance, and the ability to command lightning.
Yet, beneath the invincibility lies tragedy. Adam’s backstory reveals that it was not he, but his son, who was originally chosen as the Champion of Kahndaq. When Adam’s family was murdered, his son sacrificed his own life to transfer the powers to his father, who then unleashed his rage upon the oppressors. This act of divine fury led to his imprisonment by the gods, sealing him away for thousands of years.
This revelation reframes Adam not as a hero, but as a flawed and tragic figure — a man whose grief and anger made him a destroyer rather than a savior. He becomes a living weapon of justice without mercy, embodying the question that lies at the heart of the film: Does power corrupt, or does it merely reveal one’s true nature?
Themes of Power, Justice, and Freedom
Power and Responsibility
At its core, Black Adam examines the theme of absolute power — what it means to wield it, and how it should be used. Adam’s immense strength allows him to defeat enemies effortlessly, but it also isolates him. He believes that freedom can only be achieved through destruction, while others — particularly the heroes of the Justice Society of America (JSA) — believe in restraint and law.
This conflict forms the moral tension of the film. The JSA views Adam as a threat to global stability, while the people of Kahndaq see him as their long-awaited protector. To the oppressed, Adam is a hero. To outsiders, he is a dangerous weapon.
Justice and Vengeance
The distinction between justice and vengeance is another central theme. Adam’s actions are rooted in revenge — not justice. His wrath against oppressors is righteous in intent but ruthless in execution. As Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) says, “You can’t kill people and call it justice.” Yet, Adam challenges this idea by arguing that those who have never lived under tyranny have no right to define justice for others.
The film thus questions the hypocrisy of authority: who gets to decide what is “just”? Is morality universal, or is it shaped by suffering and history?
Freedom and Oppression
Set in a nation long occupied by foreign powers, Black Adam resonates with political undertones. Kahndaq’s struggle for freedom mirrors real-world conflicts where nations face exploitation under the guise of stability. The film highlights the frustration of people who have been told to wait for saviors who never come. For them, Black Adam’s violent intervention is liberation — however destructive it may be.
The Justice Society of America (JSA)
The introduction of the JSA marks an important expansion of the DCEU. Unlike the Justice League, which represents global power and moral authority, the JSA is portrayed as a smaller, older institution dedicated to maintaining balance. The team’s arrival in Kahndaq — without invitation — sparks tension, as they are seen as foreign agents meddling in local affairs.
Hawkman (Aldis Hodge)
As the leader of the JSA, Hawkman embodies order and morality. His unwavering belief in structure and law contrasts sharply with Adam’s anarchic sense of justice. Hawkman’s confrontation with Adam forms the philosophical core of the film — a clash between moral righteousness and moral realism.
Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan)
The mystical and introspective Doctor Fate acts as a mediator. A man burdened with foresight and destiny, he represents wisdom and restraint. His visions of the future give the story a mythic tone, foreshadowing the cost of Adam’s rise. Doctor Fate’s sacrifice near the film’s climax adds emotional gravity and emphasizes the cost of heroism.
Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell)
These younger heroes provide levity and a sense of generational contrast. They represent the optimism and naivety that Adam and Hawkman have lost. Their inclusion reminds the audience that heroism can still be hopeful, even amidst moral chaos.
The Crown of Sabbac and the Villainy of Ishmael
The film’s antagonist, Ishmael Gregor (Marwan Kenzari), seeks to claim the demonic power of Sabbac to become the ultimate ruler of Kahndaq. His ambition contrasts Adam’s reluctant might — while Adam’s power was born of tragedy, Ishmael’s is driven by greed. The final act transforms him into the monstrous Sabbac, a demon-king symbolizing ultimate corruption.
While the final battle between Adam and Sabbac leans into CGI spectacle, it carries symbolic weight: divine power versus demonic ambition. In defeating Sabbac, Adam accepts his role not as a god, but as a protector who must balance destruction with mercy.
Cinematography and Tone
Visually, Black Adam maintains a striking aesthetic, blending mythic grandeur with gritty realism. The desert landscapes of Kahndaq contrast with the metallic interiors of modern warfare. The cinematography, filled with golden hues and high-contrast shadows, evokes the tone of an epic — halfway between ancient legend and modern rebellion.
The tone is darker and more violent than typical DCEU entries. The film’s action sequences emphasize Adam’s overwhelming power — he tears through soldiers, tanks, and drones with godlike force. Yet, this violence is not glorified; it serves as commentary on the destructive consequences of unchecked vengeance.
The musical score by Lorne Balfe enhances this mythic tone, fusing Middle Eastern motifs with heroic orchestral power. It evokes both tragedy and triumph, reflecting Adam’s dual nature as savior and destroyer.
The Antihero’s Role in Modern Cinema
Black Adam joins a growing trend of films that reimagine the superhero as an antihero — figures like Venom, Deadpool, and The Suicide Squad’s Bloodsport. These characters blur moral lines, reflecting modern audiences’ disillusionment with absolute morality.
Adam’s story is not about perfection but about moral ambiguity. He represents the rage of the oppressed, the trauma of loss, and the question of whether violence can ever achieve justice. Unlike Superman’s restrained power, Adam’s strength is raw and emotional. This shift from idealism to realism mirrors broader cultural changes in how we perceive authority and heroism.
Performance and Direction
Dwayne Johnson delivers one of his most restrained yet commanding performances. His physicality suits the role, but it’s his stillness — the quiet fury beneath the surface — that defines Adam. He embodies a man out of time, struggling to adapt to a modern world that fears his kind of justice.
Director Jaume Collet-Serra balances action with mythic storytelling. The pacing is brisk, but the emotional beats — particularly the revelation of Adam’s past and his acceptance of identity — provide depth. The film’s mixture of ancient legend and political subtext gives it a tone closer to a modern epic than a standard superhero outing.
Conclusion
Black Adam (2022) is a film about power, morality, and the cost of freedom. It rejects the simplistic dichotomy of hero versus villain, offering instead a character study of a man burdened by loss and gifted with unimaginable strength. Through Teth-Adam, the film explores how trauma shapes identity and how vengeance can easily masquerade as justice.
While its narrative structure and CGI-heavy finale received mixed reviews, its thematic resonance is undeniable. Black Adam stands as a turning point in the DCEU — a story that dares to challenge the moral purity of traditional superheroes. It asks whether the world needs saviors who follow the rules — or champions who break them for the greater good.
Ultimately, Black Adam is not a film about perfection, but about imperfection redeemed through purpose. It’s a tale of gods and men, anger and mercy, and the timeless struggle between power and morality — a myth reborn in the modern age of cinema.
