Superpower

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Superpower

2023

1h 55m

Documentary

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Superpower tells the story of how Sean Penn heads to Ukraine to learn more about comedic-actor turned president, Volodymyr Zelensky. It was to be an amusing film – it has turned into a document of history. When Penn was brought into an undisclosed bunker in the Presidential Palace, the Russian invasion had begun. Penn talked to President Zelensky as explosions rocked the city. He became an inadvertent front-row witness to this historic ‘David and Goliath’ struggle. Through moments of levity, inspiration and on the ground storytelling, it becomes clear that Ukraine’s Superpower lies in the strength of its leader, its people, and ultimately, its heart.

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Miriam Elder

Rolling Stone

This is not a film about Zelensky; it’s a film about Penn’s feelings about Zelensky.

Sep 25, 2023

Full Review

Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

The movie's co-director, narrator, and onscreen guide, Sean Penn, can't decide what kind of movie he wants to make.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 21, 2023

Full Review

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

An undeniably intense and intriguing documentary that sheds as much light on Penn’s passion as on tenacity Zelenskyy.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 20, 2023

Full Review

Matthew Carey

Deadline Hollywood Daily

It serves a vital function, explaining the stakes of a war that some Americans may dismiss as something happening “over there” (just as many Americans did in the early days of World Wars I and II).

Nov 18, 2023

Full Review

Johnny Loftus

Decider

When it finds its footing, and especially in the actor’s interviews with Volodymyr Zelensky, the film is valuable as an extra-journalistic look at the ongoing conflict and what it might mean for the world at large.

Sep 19, 2023

Full Review

Jonathon Wilson

Ready Steady Cut

In focusing on Penn above and beyond everything else, even though his own self-deprecating remarks reliably imply that he should be considered unimportant relative to the story he’s helping to tell, Superpower is thoroughly undermined.

Rated: 2.5/5

Sep 19, 2023

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Curtis J

The Russian bots/trolls in here need to be dealt with. Great doc.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

Full Review

Travis L

Pure drivel meant to sway the American people into bending over and taking another hit from the “hero” Zelenskyyyyyyy. What a con artist.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/11/24

Full Review

Ronnie H

Such a moving movie. It's even more so after 2 years + of fighting. Only Russian trolls would rate it otherwise. Certainly makes it clear we need to send more of everything to help Ukraine NOW

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/24

Full Review

Pavel N

Army of russian trolls trying to lower the rate here, obviously. Great film with great message from Sean to the west that Ukrainians pay their lives for their freedom and try to stop spreading the war towards. It's a nice reflection on the ignorance, slowness and even betrayal of part of the Americans who still think that there is a way to negotiate with putin and his people. Ukraine need more support right here right now and thank you Sean for continuing delivering this important message for the sake of humanity and peace.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

Full Review

Valerii Ege D

"20 Days in Mariupol" starring Sean Penn. The director of Mariupol is a journalist. He was doing his job. Sean Penn has no obligation to Ukraine, yet he displays all aspects of the before and after the invasion. And he could have died while making this documentary.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/26/23

Full Review

Chris M

Structurally chaotic, the film feels rushed to market. Nonetheless, it contains some remarkable interviews and raw moments. It carries an important message.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/23

Full Review

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Sean Penn

Director

Aaron Kaufman

Director

Sean Penn

Self

Volodymyr Selenskyi

Self

Volodymyr Selenskyi

Writer

Sean Penn

Producer

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Synopsis

Superpower tells the story of how Sean Penn heads to Ukraine to learn more about comedic-actor turned president, Volodymyr Zelensky. It was to be an amusing film – it has turned into a document of history. When Penn was brought into an undisclosed bunker in the Presidential Palace, the Russian invasion had begun. Penn talked to President Zelensky as explosions rocked the city. He became an inadvertent front-row witness to this historic ‘David and Goliath’ struggle. Through moments of levity, inspiration and on the ground storytelling, it becomes clear that Ukraine’s Superpower lies in the strength of its leader, its people, and ultimately, its heart.

Director: Sean Penn, Aaron Kaufman
Producer: Sean Penn, Billy Smith, Sergei Bespalov, Danny Gabai, Lauren Terp, Jenia Bilous, Eric Weinrib
Screenwriter: Volodymyr Selenskyi
Distributor: Paramount+
Production Co: Projected Picture Works, See It Now Studios, Aldamisa Entertainment, Endeavor Content, Vice Studio Canada, Fifth Season
Genre: Documentary, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2023
Runtime: 1h 55m

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