🎬 Movie Review: Black Adam 2 (2025)
“A hero’s power is defined by the choices he makes, not the battle he fights.”
The highly anticipated sequel to Black Adam (2022) charges back onto the screen with an explosive continuation of antihero Teth-Adam’s journey. In Black Adam 2, the stakes are higher, the action is fiercer, and the conflict—both internal and external—has only deepened. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film takes everything that made the first Black Adam a powerhouse and pushes it into uncharted territory, both emotionally and narratively.
After the events of the first film, Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Black Adam, who has now been embraced—if reluctantly—by humanity as a protector. However, the world’s trust is fragile, and Adam finds himself facing new challenges: the rise of a dark threat more powerful than any he has encountered, and the complex moral dilemma of whether he can ever truly be a hero. Enter The Magistrate, a mysterious, god-like figure whose agenda threatens to destabilize not only Adam’s fragile peace, but the very foundation of global order.
Visually, Black Adam 2 is a spectacle, with larger-than-life action sequences that showcase both Adam’s destructive power and his internal struggle. The special effects are polished, with breathtaking visuals that bring the comic-book grandeur to life—whether in high-speed battles, epic sky-scraping showdowns, or moments of heart-stopping intensity. The character of Black Adam is even more commanding this time, with Johnson giving a grittier and more nuanced performance as the antihero whose actions balance on a knife-edge.
The sequel introduces a new team of heroes, The Justice Society, who continue their tense dynamic with Black Adam, now that his position is more precarious than ever. Pierce Brosnan returns as Doctor Fate, offering a grounded wisdom to counterbalance Adam’s impulsive rage. Noah Centineo, Quintessa Swindell, and Aladdin’s Mena Massoud join the team, each bringing unique abilities and compelling chemistry, although their development occasionally gets sidelined in favor of Adam’s arc.
While the action sequences are jaw-dropping, the film does stumble in its pacing. The emotional beats sometimes feel rushed, and certain characters, especially the villains, don’t get the depth they deserve. There’s a lot of setup for future conflicts that occasionally takes away from the immediate stakes, leaving some parts of the story feeling like filler. Still, these moments are balanced by strong performances, especially from Johnson, who continues to own the role.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Black Adam 2 is a thrilling, high-octane continuation of the saga. While not perfect, it delves deeper into Adam’s struggle with heroism and responsibility, elevating the stakes in a visually stunning, action-packed adventure.
