---
title: "Black Adam"
year: 2022
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/black-adam"
fi1m_id: "black-adam"
imdb_id: "tt6443346"
tmdb_id: 436270
wikidata_id: "Q28657013"
fi1m_score: 42
critics_score: 46
critics_reviews: 28
published: "2026-10-05T16:27:40.712844+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T16:27:45.031902+00:00"
region: "IN"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Black Adam (2022)

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra · 2h 05m · Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

## Identity

Black Adam

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/black-adam
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** black-adam
- **IMDb ID:** tt6443346
- **TMDB ID:** 436270
- **Wikidata ID:** Q28657013
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6443346/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/436270, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28657013

**Fi1m score: 42** · Critics 46 from 28 reviews

*In a sentence:* Pierce Brosnan brings some manners to a film that mostly wants to break things

> Pierce Brosnan and Aldis Hodge supply welcome personality, but *Black Adam* is a noisy, overcrowded superhero film with too little interest in its own moral questions. Dwayne Johnson gets too few chances to be interesting.

## Synopsis

Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is a superhero whose ruthlessness complicates his claim to be a protector. His story brings him alongside Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) and Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), members of the Justice Society with their own ideas about the responsibilities that come with extraordinary powers. Black Adam’s origins help explain the man behind the violence, while his methods put the usual rules of superhero conduct under pressure. The conflict extends beyond physical strength to the question of who gets to decide how it should be used.

## Review

*Black Adam* wants us to take a ruthless superhero seriously, then keeps crowding him with the business of introducing everybody else. Jaume Collet-Serra finds some nasty pleasure in the action, but the film is too hurried and too thinly written to make its moral questions matter. There is a worthwhile superhero film to be made about the frightening uses of extraordinary strength. This one rarely stays with a question long enough to become uncomfortable, and 125 minutes is a considerable time to spend avoiding the most interesting part of the premise.

Dwayne Johnson plays Black Adam with a severity that initially suits the threat. The stillness suggests someone who does not need to persuade anybody, and the early bursts of violence briefly give that confidence a purpose. We were jolted by the ferocity of the early fights, which briefly make superhuman strength feel dangerous. But the performance stays so fixed that the character’s conflict barely develops, and the film keeps asking that same stern expression to do more work.

Pierce Brosnan does better as Dr. Fate, allowing a little dry amusement into a film that badly needs it. Aldis Hodge gives Hawkman a sense of leadership, and their presence makes the Justice Society more inviting than the central performance. Noah Centineo finds some agreeable foolishness in Atom Smasher, though there is not enough space for the ensemble to become people we know. These actors suggest that a quieter scene might be worth having. The film is generally in a hurry to interrupt them.

The screenplay by Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani raises questions about superhero morality without giving the characters enough room to test their positions. A ruthless protector should create difficult choices, especially for those expected to welcome the protection. Here, the crowded plotting makes those questions feel like subjects brought up between fights and then dropped when another fight is due. By the standards of superhero origin stories, the failure is basic. We need to understand why this particular person matters before being asked to care about a larger collection of heroes.

Lawrence Sher’s cinematography is most persuasive when the action briefly acquires a nasty physical edge. Too much of the film has a gloomy, artificial look, and the effects weaken our sense that these bodies have weight. That also works against Tom Meyer’s production design, since the surroundings struggle to register as places worth protecting. Through much of the fighting, the effects keep drawing attention to themselves.

Michael L. Sale and John Lee’s editing compounds the problem by rushing past what might make an encounter distinct. Movement and impact pile up, but the choreography is too often difficult to follow. Lorne Balfe’s music adds to the pressure without providing much relief, and the relentless noise eventually flattens the excitement. We were tired of the fighting well before the film had finished supplying it.

There are enough promising moments to make the disappointment irritating. The supporting cast can hold attention without another collision, and the opening aggression has some bite. But neither is enough to recommend sitting through so much repetitive combat and so little character development. Come for Pierce Brosnan only if a few droll moments justify an evening of fighting.

*Fi1m score 42, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Black Adam overstuffed and derivative, with thin characters and crowded plotting limiting the pleasures of its superhero action. Praise clusters around the supporting cast, particularly Pierce Brosnan and Aldis Hodge, whose performances bring humour and personality to the Justice Society. Even several negative reviews find stretches of energetic combat, though Dwayne Johnson divides opinion: some see a commanding antihero, others a gloomy lead deprived of his usual appeal.

The spread is wide, but negative verdicts dominate, with repeated complaints about muddled storytelling, underdeveloped ideas and franchise obligations. The action also divides critics, earning praise for its force and complaints about weightless effects and unclear choreography. The Evening Standard offers a notably warmer assessment, finding wit, style and a welcome challenge to American superhero dominance. Slant Magazine values the questioning of superhero morality, while finding the finale conventional and emotionally unconvincing.

## Straight answers

**Is Black Adam worth watching?**

*Black Adam* is hard to recommend beyond committed superhero fans; we score it 42 out of 100 for repetitive combat and thin character development. Pierce Brosnan and Aldis Hodge bring welcome personality, but their contributions cannot compensate for the noise, crowded plotting and Dwayne Johnson’s narrowly stern performance.

**How long is Black Adam, and what is it rated?**

*Black Adam* runs 2h 05m. It is an action and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Black Adam in India?**

*Black Adam* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Hotstar in India, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from ₹119.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Black Adam, and is it suitable for children?**

*Black Adam* carries a UK 12A certificate, and its fierce early fights and sustained superhero violence make it a poor choice for younger or sensitive children. Under-12s need an accompanying adult at the cinema; we find the opening aggression jolting and the later fighting exhausting, so the certificate should not be mistaken for a promise of gentle action.

**How does Black Adam compare to RoboCop?**

*Black Adam* is the weaker choice beside [*RoboCop*](https://film.one/film/robocop), which we recommend for violent action with sharper political thinking and more affecting consequences. Both concern the use of extraordinary power, but *Black Adam* repeatedly drops its moral questions between fights, while *RoboCop* is savage about corporate power and gives us someone to care about; its violence warrants a serious warning.

**What should I watch after Black Adam?**

After *Black Adam*, try [*RoboCop*](https://film.one/film/robocop) (1987, Fi1m 91): For violent spectacle with sharper political thinking and consequences that actually hurt. Then [*Hellboy*](https://film.one/film/hellboy) (2004, Fi1m 71): A gruff supernatural lead surrounded by characters worth spending time with.

### Reviews we read (28)

- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (4/5): O’Sullivan finds the film bold, stylish, involving and witty, despite an uneven script and hokey visuals. She particularly praises Pierce Brosnan’s expertly droll performance and the film’s challenge to the usual dominance of American superhero stories. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/black-adam-review-the-rock-dwayne-johnson-piers-brosnan-b1033602.html)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (70/100, inferred): Walsh finds the film entertaining despite Dwayne Johnson’s charisma-free performance and its familiar, hastily assembled superhero-story parts. She praises Jaume Collet-Serra’s visual style and ability to keep the film lively. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-10-18/review-black-adam-dwayne-johnson-dc-extended-universe)
- **Empire**, Helen O'Hara (65/100, inferred): The review finds the film messy but generally entertaining, with a welcome change of tone in Johnson’s ruthless superhero. It praises the frightening potential of superpowers and singles out Pierce Brosnan as a standout, while faulting the film’s weightless action and uneasy mix of edge and family-friendly charm. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/black-adam/)
- **Radio Times**, Jeremy Aspinall (65/100, inferred): The review says the film is not a DC game-changer, but makes its central character a serious player. Its only stated point of praise is that it establishes the character effectively. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/black-adam-review/)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): The accessible page identifies this as a review but does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its standfirst describes Dwayne Johnson as a conflicted superhero, without enough text to identify what the critic praises or criticizes. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/black-adam-review/5175474.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page content is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/20/movies/black-adam-review.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole (2.5/4): The critic finds the film’s willingness to question superhero morality compelling, despite a conventional and emotionally unconvincing finale. He praises the coherent, macabrely grounded action and Dwayne Johnson’s genuinely menacing performance. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/black-adam-review-dwayne-johnson-jaume-collet-serra/)
- **Total Film**, Kevin Harley (3/5): Harley finds the film entertainingly fast and fierce but messy and undisciplined. He praises Johnson’s presence while faulting the crowded plotting and relentless noise. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/black-adam-DC-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, John DeFore (50/100, inferred): The critic finds the film entertaining but merely fine, with politically muddled undertones. He praises Dwayne Johnson’s magnetic antihero while faulting the movie for not fully processing the issues it raises. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/black-adam-dwayne-johnson-pierce-brosnan-dc-jaume-collet-serra-1235241643/)
- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (D+): Ehrlich pans the film as a risk-averse, derivative superhero spectacle that fails to give its premise or characters depth. He singles out Dwayne Johnson’s charisma as a strength, while criticizing the film for sanding down the character’s complexity. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/black-adam-movie-review-1234773729/)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (2/5): The review finds this DC origin story dull and says the Rock’s superheroics fall flat. It singles out Dwayne Johnson as a gloomy headline act. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/black-adam-2022)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (40/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film’s origins-and-teaser approach promising but ultimately pointless and intellectually juvenile. He singles out Doctor Fate’s visual effects and the emotional dimension of Teth Adam’s backstory as bright spots. [Read](https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/black-adam-review-dwayne-johnson-1235406718/)
- **The AV Club**, Phil Pirrello (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an overstuffed, emotionally thin action spectacle that wastes its considerable talents. They praise Pierce Brosnan and Aldis Hodge for bringing personality and humor to the Justice Society. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/black-adam-review-dwayne-johnson-pierce-brosnan-1849674142)
- **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (30/100, inferred): Brody finds the film dull and overburdened by franchise machinery, with little reason to seek it out. He singles out Dwayne Johnson’s appealing screen presence as its main virtue, while criticizing the role as rote and empty. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/black-adam-reviewed-dwayne-johnson-emerges-from-a-tomb-and-finds-nothing)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (30/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film entertaining in stretches but ultimately rubbish, with its emotional ambitions undermined by a flat central performance. He praises the action scenes for their exuberant, splattery energy. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/black-adam-movie-review-the-rocks-dc-debut-is-rubbish.html)
- **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (20/100, inferred): Ide judges the film a superhero dud, finding it loud and baffling. She singles out the lack of humor as what leaves Dwayne Johnson’s performance stony-faced and without his usual appeal. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/oct/23/black-adam-review-the-rock-in-a-hard-place-in-superhero-dud-dc-marvel-dwayne-johnson)
- **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (70/100, inferred): Sandwell finds the film an entertaining, action-packed start for Dwayne Johnson in the DC universe, though its familiar problems hold it back. He praises the Justice Society cast’s engaging performances and stylish action, while criticizing thin character development and weightless CGI. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a41624567/black-adam-review-dwayne-johnson/)
- **Consequence**, Liz Shannon Miller (65/100, inferred): The review finds familiar superhero conventions but says the film makes some fresh choices and has a stronger theme than most. It especially praises the Justice Society’s chemistry, singling out Aldis Hodge’s leadership grit and Noah Centineo’s goofy charm. [Read](https://consequence.net/2022/10/black-adam-review-dwayne-johnson/)
- **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (2.5/5): The critic finds the film forgettable and directionless, with thin storytelling and underdeveloped characters. He praises Pierce Brosnan and Aldis Hodge, whose performances sparkle, along with a few enjoyable moments of action. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/black-adam-review-not-even-dwayne-johnson-save-dc/)
- **/Film**, Jeff Ewing (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the film full of promising elements but says it falls short as a standalone story. He praises the combat and several performances, while faulting the rushed pacing and contrived plot choices. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1067825/black-adam-spoiler-review-a-promising-film-with-odd-choices/)
- **Deadline**, Todd McCarthy (35/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film an overstuffed spectacle whose weak story and underdeveloped characters keep it from taking off. He praises Dwayne Johnson’s commanding presence and the impressive visual effects. [Read](https://deadline.com/2022/10/black-adam-review-dwayne-johnson-dc-movie-1235148461/)
- **Film Stories**, Lauren Miles (30/100, inferred): Miles finds the film ambitious but overstuffed, structurally baffling, and ultimately disappointing. She praises the early action for its graphic, carnage-filled energy, but criticizes the repetitive battles and underdeveloped characters. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/black-adam-review-the-dc-universe-gets-an-anti-hero/)
- **Paste**, Abby Olcese (3.0/10): The review finds the film a clanging, incoherent dud that reinforces the DCEU’s worst habits. It criticizes the action sequences as choppy and overstuffed, with flashy effects substituting for clear choreography. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/dc-movies/black-adam-review)
- **The Playlist** (30/100, inferred): The headline presents the film as a negative, tedious slog. It singles out its reliance on superhero clichés as a complaint. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/black-adam-is-a-drab-slog-through-superhero-cliches-review-20221018/)
- **The Ringer**, Daniel Chin (30/100, inferred): Chin argues that Black Adam is a messy, overstuffed film that fails to deliver the fresh start promised for DC. He singles out the Justice Society as the movie’s most interesting element, while criticizing its recycled visual style and muddled world-building. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2022/10/24/dc/black-adam-dc-dceu-warner-bros-snyderverse)
- **The Wrap** (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film muddled, overstuffed, and anti-entertaining. They particularly fault its gloomy, artificial visuals and rapid editing, which drain excitement from the many fight scenes. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/black-adam-movie-review-dwayne-johnson/)
- **Eye for Film**, Andrew Robertson (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the film disappointing and derivative, saying it falls short even of low expectations. They particularly criticize its borrowing from other films and comic-book properties, which leaves the story muddled and the characters underdeveloped. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/black-adam-2022-film-review-by-andrew-robertson)
- **NME** (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a monotonous, over-explained dud that is sunk by its central character. They praise the soundtrack and say the adventure gains pace once its many characters are established. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/black-adam-review-dwayne-the-rock-johnson-3331124)

## Details

- **Director:** Jaume Collet-Serra
- **Director:** Jaume Collet-Serra
- **Writer:** Adam Sztykiel, Sohrab Noshirvani, Rory Haines
- **Cinematography:** Lawrence Sher
- **Editor:** John Lee, Michael L. Sale
- **Music:** Lorne Balfe
- **Production design:** Tom Meyer
- **Costume design:** Bart Mueller, Kurt Swanson
- **Producer:** Hiram Garcia, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia
- **Cast:** Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam / Teth Adam; Aldis Hodge as Hawkman / Carter Hall; Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher / Al Rothstein; Sarah Shahi as Adrianna Tomaz; Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone / Maxine Hunkel; Marwan Kenzari as Ishmael / Sabbac / King Ahk-Ton; Mohammed Amer as Karim; Bodhi Sabongui as Amon Tomaz
- **Runtime:** 2h 05m
- **First release (the US):** 12 October 2022
- **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
- **Budget:** $200 million
- **Box office:** $393 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkomfZHG5q4

## Where to watch in India

- Amazon Prime Video: streaming, uhd
- Netflix: streaming
- Hotstar: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: rent ₹119.00, uhd
- Apple TV: rent ₹129.00, hd
- Apple TV: buy ₹149.00, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie 2023: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *RoboCop* (1987), Fi1m 91: For violent spectacle with sharper political thinking and consequences that actually hurt. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/robocop.md)
- *Darkman* (1990): A damaged superhuman gets the unruly, darkly comic treatment this material needs.
- *Hellboy* (2004), Fi1m 71: A gruff supernatural lead surrounded by characters worth spending time with. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/hellboy.md)
- *The Heroic Trio* (1993): Superhero action with room for extravagant movement, distinct personalities and mischief.
- *Psychokinesis* (2018): Superpowers complicate ordinary responsibilities in a warmer, more pointed fight against exploitation.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/black-adam