Over the years, DC movies have experienced a number of heart-wrenching moments, both within the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and outside of it. However, the studio is preparing for a major transformation, with new co-chairman James Gunn and co-chairman Peter Safran envisioning a DC Universe that will span not only films, but also TV series, animated films, and games. Below are the DC Movie Heartbreaking Moments that shattered millions of hearts.
As DC Studios looks to the future, it is important to take a look back at past films to ensure the same level of emotional resonance is maintained in the upcoming DC Universe. While the DC Extended Universe has not achieved the same level of success as its predecessors, there have been a number of heartbreaking scenes that have been present in previous DC movies, and this compelling storytelling should be reintroduced.
Cyborg’s Father Dies In Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Over the years, DC movies have experienced a number of heart-wrenching moments, both within the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and outside of it. However, the studio is preparing for a major transformation, with new co-chairman James Gunn and co-chairman Peter Safran envisioning a DC Universe that will span not only films, but also TV series, animated films, and games.
The first character to be included in the DC Universe is Blue Beetle, with Gunn set to direct the first movie in 2025, Superman: Legacy. As DC Studios looks to the future, it is important to take a look back at past films to ensure the same level of emotional resonance is maintained in the upcoming DC Universe.
Jaime Reyes’ Dad Dies In Blue Beetle
Jaime Reyes’ family is his greatest strength in Blue Beetle, and many of the film’s highlights are derived from the humorous interactions he has with them. Although the tone of the movie is generally lighthearted, there are moments of extreme emotion.
In the most heart-wrenching scene, the protagonist’s father, Albert, experiences a cardiac episode while his son remains trapped in the car, unable to provide assistance. Albert eventually dies in the ambulance after Jaime is spirited away by Victoria Cord. The narrative then shifts to the afterlife, where Jaime and Albert reunite for a touching farewell that ultimately confirms Jaime’s status as a superhero.
Superman Kills Zod In Man Of Steel
The DCEU’s first film, 2013’s Man of Steel, kicked off the cinematic universe with one of the most controversial and emotional moments yet. At the conclusion of the movie, Henry Cavill’s Superman realizes that he won’t be able to stop Michael Shannon’s General Zod from murdering civilians unless he’s willing to end Zod’s life, which is what he does by snapping his neck.
This moment has since gone down in history as one of DC’s most controversial live-action scenes, as Superman isn’t supposed to kill. However, when Cavill kills Zod, he lets out a cry that shows the pain that that decision has caused, making it one of the most emotional DC movie moments yet.
The Reveal Of The Dark Flash’s Identity In The Flash
Despite The Flash’s dismal box office performance, there are a few moving scenes in the DC movie. One of the most moving scenes comes when the identity of the dark flash is revealed. After Batman (Michael Keaton) and Supergirl (Sasha Calle) are killed in the heroes’ battle against Zod’s forces, young Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) can’t accept his fate.
He repeatedly returns to the past to try and rescue the duo but to no avail. As a result of his time-warping, young Barry is corrupted by his mistakes and becomes the dark flash, the creature that had previously hunted the original Barry Allen (Barry Allen).
Rachel Dawes’ Death In The Dark Knight
There are plenty of heartwarming moments in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, and one of the most heartbreaking is played out by Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Rachel Dawes in “The Dark Knight”. Ledger’s Joker hatched a brilliant plan to take out both Batman and Harvey Dent simultaneously.
The Joker gave Batman the addresses of where they were keeping Rachel and Harvey, both of which were rigged to blow up. Unfortunately, the villain was lying about where they were located, and when Batman arrived, it was Harvey who saved Rachel, not Batman. She died when Bruce couldn’t save her, and half of Harvey’s face burned off, resulting in the rise of Two-Face.
The Dark Knight’s Ending
After the death of Rachel, Harvey loses control of himself and becomes the villain Two-Face. He served as Batman’s protector in The Dark Knight and went on a mission to kill everyone who had anything to do with the death of Rachel.
At the conclusion of the film, Batman throws Two-Face from the top of the building to rescue Jim Gordon’s son, which results in Harvey’s death. Christian Bale’s Batman tells Gordon that he has to pretend that the hero killed all of the people that Harvey killed; in order to keep Dent’s legacy alive and Gotham City on track. Batman is forced to flee from the police and is hated by everyone.
Diana Renounces Her Wish In Wonder Woman 1984
Even though Wonder Woman 1984 wasn’t as much of a follow-up as fans had hoped for, Gal Gadot’s third film can draw some lessons from its most powerful moment. After the death of Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) in Wonder Woman, 1984 brought Diana back to life through magic.
To save the world, she had to reverse her wish, which resulted in what is probably Gadot’s best scene as Wonder Woman. She renounces her wish with tears in her eyes, then takes to the sky to get Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) and save the world.
Wrapping it up!
As DC Studios looks to the future, there are certain moments in the studio’s history that deserve to be revisited in order to preserve the same level of emotion for the upcoming DC Universe. Historically, one of the most captivating aspects of DC films such as Superman, Spiderman, and Wonder Woman has been their capacity to depict emotional moments. Although the DCEU did not achieve its full potential, there were still numerous heart-wrenching scenes that were also present in earlier DC prequels, and this type of captivating storytelling should be reintroduced in Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe.
