Malik ‘Mali’ Ali is arguably the most important side character in Superman (2025)
And here’s my argument.
In this Superhero movie fatigue era of cinema, civilians seem to have lost their place. They are often used, less as people, and more as set pieces to run from the danger, adding to the chaos of the scene. This is not the case for 2025 Superman, and it is most definitely not the case for Mali Ali.
At his first appearance in the movie, Mali seems to be just a featured extra. He is one of the civilians who happens to be nearby when Superman crashes into the ground and he’s one of the many who run over to the crash site.
Where Mali starts to stand out, however, is when he gets down into the crater with Superman. He reaches a hand out and helps Superman up. We also learn this is not the first time he helped Superman out, as he once gave Superman a falafel after witnessing Superman save someone else.
This is where Mali becomes the audience surrogate. He exemplifies the type of civilian the audience might want to be in this universe. He has been inspired by Superman to be a heroic person by helping people in any way he can. He might not have powers, but he does have falafel and a hand to reach out to someone in need.
His next significant scene is after Lex Luther kidnaps him and uses him as leverage to torture information out of Superman. This scene displays important characteristics about our 2 leads. It shows the depths of Lex’s evil and hatred, as he’s willing to kidnap and kill this innocent person just because he had a couple of positive interactions with Superman. It also shows the depths of Superman’s compassion and value of life, as he’s begging for the life of this man he barely knows.
But it also shows the depths of Mali’s bravery. While we see how much Superman values Mali’s life, Mali equally values Superman’s life. Lex asks Superman who raised him as a child, He is willing to give his life, not just for Superman who he barely knows, but for Superman’s parents who he doesn’t know at all. We know Ma & Pa Kent are angels living on Earth, but Mali doesn’t know that. For all he knows, Superman was raised by the people in the recording who told Supes to rule with an iron fist. But he doesn’t believe that. We know because some of his last words were “I believe in you Superman” before Lex kills him. He dies believing in and valuing the good in Superman the way Superman believes in and values the good in humanity.
And then, after that, what happens? Rex decides to help Superman break out. Why? Who inspired him? Superman? Maybe Rex was moved by Superman’s compassion, but that’s not all. Who in that moment showed bravery in the face of danger? Who showed defiance despite their powerless position? Who gave everything they had just to do what they believed was right?
Mali did.
Rex, has been made to believe he is powerless and has no choice but to do what Lex wants. But Mali has even less power than he does and chose to be a hero anyway.
Mali, a man who Superman inspired to be a hero, inspired someone else to become a superhero.
