Samaritan (2022), directed by Julius Avery, is a gritty superhero thriller that stars Sylvester Stallone in a role that combines elements of action, drama, and the superhero genre. The film presents a darker, more grounded take on the superhero story, following a world-weary hero in hiding who is reluctantly pulled back into action. Samaritan explores themes of redemption, the effects of trauma, and the hero-villain dynamic, offering an alternative perspective on heroism in a decaying urban landscape.

The story centers on 13-year-old Sam Cleary (Javon Walton), a troubled young boy living in the rough streets of Granite City. Sam idolizes the legendary hero Samaritan, who mysteriously disappeared twenty-five years earlier after an epic showdown with his arch-nemesis, Nemesis. Although the city believes Samaritan is dead, Sam becomes convinced that his reclusive, quiet neighbor Joe Smith (Stallone) is actually the long-lost hero in hiding. Joe, a garbage collector living a quiet and solitary life, appears to possess unusual strength and an air of mystery that deepens Sam’s suspicions.

As Sam begins to investigate Joe’s past, Granite City is thrown into chaos by new criminal forces. Cyrus (Pilou Asbæk), a violent gang leader inspired by Nemesis, threatens to push the city into further destruction. When Sam becomes entangled with Cyrus’s gang, Joe reluctantly steps in, revealing his superhuman abilities and confirming Sam’s suspicions. Forced to confront his past, Joe wrestles with his identity as Samaritan and the burden of heroism, ultimately realizing he may be the city’s only hope for salvation.

Sylvester Stallone brings a grounded, weary quality to Joe, capturing the essence of a reluctant hero haunted by past traumas. His portrayal of Samaritan is a departure from the typical superhero archetype, focusing on a character who has grown disillusioned with the world and is weary of the toll heroism has taken on him. Stallone’s performance emphasizes the physical and emotional weight of his character, creating a superhero who feels more human and flawed, wrestling with his own sense of purpose.