Marvel's latest film offering, Captain America: Civil War, is set to be one of the biggest global box office smashes. Looking at other big hits like Avatar and the Star Wars movies, it is safe to say that our appetite for fantasy has never been greater. But there is something different about Captain America: Civil War and the other new superhero film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
In both films, the superheroes take sides against each other. The lines between good and evil are impossibly blurred. This is beyond engaging screenwriting but a profound metaphor for the state of the planet. With the emergence of extremist groups decades after the end of the Cold War, traditional partnerships have broken down. It is hard to tell friend from foe.
Superhero films are mirroring the confusion we see in real-life statecraft. The best fantasy always has an element of truth woven into the narrative. So it is no surprise that these films are captivating audiences across the world.
