Superpower

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Superpower

2023

1h 55m

Documentary

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Superpower tells the story of how Sean Penn heads to Ukraine to learn more about comedic-actor turned president, Volodymyr Zelensky. It was to be an amusing film – it has turned into a document of history. When Penn was brought into an undisclosed bunker in the Presidential Palace, the Russian invasion had begun. Penn talked to President Zelensky as explosions rocked the city. He became an inadvertent front-row witness to this historic ‘David and Goliath’ struggle. Through moments of levity, inspiration and on the ground storytelling, it becomes clear that Ukraine’s Superpower lies in the strength of its leader, its people, and ultimately, its heart.

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Miriam Elder

Rolling Stone

09/25/2023

This is not a film about Zelensky; it’s a film about Penn’s feelings about Zelensky.

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

09/21/2023

2/4

The movie's co-director, narrator, and onscreen guide, Sean Penn, can't decide what kind of movie he wants to make.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

09/20/2023

2.5/4

An undeniably intense and intriguing documentary that sheds as much light on Penn’s passion as on tenacity Zelenskyy.

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Matthew Carey

Deadline Hollywood Daily

11/18/2023

It serves a vital function, explaining the stakes of a war that some Americans may dismiss as something happening “over there” (just as many Americans did in the early days of World Wars I and II).

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Johnny Loftus

Decider

09/19/2023

When it finds its footing, and especially in the actor’s interviews with Volodymyr Zelensky, the film is valuable as an extra-journalistic look at the ongoing conflict and what it might mean for the world at large.

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Curtis J

@RT91909956 03/09/2025

The Russian bots/trolls in here need to be dealt with. Great doc.

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Travis L

@RT96343558 07/10/2024

Pure drivel meant to sway the American people into bending over and taking another hit from the “hero” Zelenskyyyyyyy. What a con artist.

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Valerii Ege D

@RT37895442 11/26/2023

"20 Days in Mariupol" starring Sean Penn. The director of Mariupol is a journalist. He was doing his job. Sean Penn has no obligation to Ukraine, yet he displays all aspects of the before and after the invasion. And he could have died while making this documentary.

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Chris M

@a10tive1 10/08/2023

Structurally chaotic, the film feels rushed to market. Nonetheless, it contains some remarkable interviews and raw moments. It carries an important message.

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Alexander R

@RT17777777 10/02/2023

This movie deserves more attention and everyone saying this is about Sean Penn should re-evaluate and pay attention thru out the movie, he's not in the middle of the road or holding assemblies with the everyday person in your face on the camera saying "hey im sean penn, a hollywood actor from America and i stand here with you" no , its more of I'm here what can i do to help and what can i bring back to my friends in the political arena to help your situation. its an abolishment that we are more concerned with kardashians and banning books.

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Scotty B

@ScottyBoom 09/28/2023

This was just pure propaganda from Penn. It was truly a waste of time. Its as though the current administration approached Penn and said "We need you to make a fluff piece on Z. Penns vanity is the biggest character in this "mocumentory".

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Sean Penn

Director

Aaron Kaufman

Director

Sean Penn

Self

Volodymyr Selenskyi

Self

Volodymyr Selenskyi

Writer

Sean Penn

Producer

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Synopsis

Superpower tells the story of how Sean Penn heads to Ukraine to learn more about comedic-actor turned president, Volodymyr Zelensky. It was to be an amusing film – it has turned into a document of history. When Penn was brought into an undisclosed bunker in the Presidential Palace, the Russian invasion had begun. Penn talked to President Zelensky as explosions rocked the city. He became an inadvertent front-row witness to this historic ‘David and Goliath’ struggle. Through moments of levity, inspiration and on the ground storytelling, it becomes clear that Ukraine’s Superpower lies in the strength of its leader, its people, and ultimately, its heart.

Director: Sean Penn, Aaron Kaufman
Producer: Sean Penn, Billy Smith, Sergei Bespalov, Danny Gabai, Lauren Terp, Jenia Bilous, Eric Weinrib
Screenwriter: Volodymyr Selenskyi
Distributor: Paramount+
Production Co: Projected Picture Works, See It Now Studios, Aldamisa Entertainment, Endeavor Content, Vice Studio Canada, Fifth Season
Genre: Documentary, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2023
Runtime: 1h 55m