The selection includes superhero films that were once worked on by cult directors M. Night Shyamalan, James Gunn, and Sam Raimi.

Superhero cinema is still trending. But more and more often it is changing its form and genres. So, in October, under the watchful guidance of Kevin Feige, the digital platform Disney+ premiered the one-hour horror “Werewolf by Night”, which introduced viewers to a potential participant in future major Marvel projects – Jack Russell and his alter ego Werewolf by Night.

Marvel’s side projects are increasingly winning over audiences with their unconventional approach, different from the monstrously expensive flagship action films about the Avengers.

The series “WandaVision”, for example, shot in the format of a family sitcom, was more reminiscent of a thriller in the spirit of “Twin Peaks” with an exploration of past traumas and guilt, while “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” was simply a brisk action movie mixed with a buddy film. “Werewolf by Night” appeared before viewers in the style of German Impressionist films and resembled old horror movies from the 1920s and 1930s.

In this regard, we decided to make a selection of several more atypical films about people with superpowers, shot in completely different genres – from horror and mumblecore to comedy and deep drama. Films that were once worked on by cult directors M. Night Shyamalan, James Gunn and Sam Raimi.

“Brightburn” (2019, dir. David Yarovesky)

A husband and wife find a strange capsule on their farm, inside which is a baby. They see it as a gift from above and keep the child. However, when the boy grows up, it becomes clear that he is incredibly strong and invulnerable, and the evil lurking inside him wants to break out.

The only superhero movie de facto about an evil Superman (though it’s not directly stated in the film) and perhaps the only successful project of B-movie director David Yarovesky.

“Brightburn” gives a very clear answer to the eternal question: “What would happen if the man of steel turned to the dark side?”

“Archenemy” (2020, dir. Adam Egypt Mortimer)

A realistic action movie about a tough man named Max Fist. He once came to Earth due to an explosion of a time-space machine in another universe. A local kid nicknamed Hamster believes him and happily films videos about him for his channel. However, Max’s enemies haven’t forgotten about him and are preparing a new assassination attempt, while the unknown superhero helps Hamster find the right path.

First of all, this is an interesting creative take on superhero cinema from the director of the film “Daniel Isn’t Real.” The budget was tiny, but the lead role was played by Joe Manganiello, who played Deathstroke for Zack Snyder. And the lack of high-quality CGI was very skillfully compensated by anime inserts.

“Unbreakable” (2000, dir. M. Night Shyamalan)

A classic from the main horror-maker of the 2000s. A deeply personal story about a man who discovers his superhero abilities at the most inopportune time in his life: he is about to divorce his wife, never became a football star, works as a security guard, and is generally going through a deep midlife crisis. And then he also encounters a supervillain named Mr. Glass, who craves a fight.

Shyamalan was one of the first directors to rethink superhero cinema, making it as dark and realistic as possible. This is more of a melancholic drama about a man who has stopped believing in himself and cannot find the strength to turn his life in a different direction.

“Chronicle” (2012, dir. Josh Trank)

Another story about the sudden acquisition of great power and the responsibility that follows. But this time shot in mockumentary format. Three high school friends gain incredible kinetic abilities from a fallen meteorite, but not everyone is ready to use their gift for noble deeds.

Josh Trank conducted this experiment even before his failed “Fantastic Four,” and as it happened, “Chronicle” is still his only palatable film that was warmly received by both critics and audiences. The director managed to strike a balance between superheroics and the difficult stages of growing up for yesterday’s schoolchildren, who face uncertainty ahead.

“Kick-Ass” (2010, dir. Matthew Vaughn)

Well, what unusual superhero cinema would be complete without this rollicking, postmodern action movie? Director Matthew Vaughn, who once adopted the style of Guy Ritchie and made the brisk gangster action film “Layer Cake,” then switched to superheroics, but did not lose his ability to make dark and funny jokes.

“Kick-Ass,” his flesh-and-blood creation, gathered all the clichés of genre cinema: from superheroics to crime thriller, and gave the world incredibly charismatic heroes.

“Super” (2010, dir. James Gunn)

Another desperately rowdy superhero movie about superheroes on our list with a touch of mumblecore. James Gunn, even before “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Peacemaker” (which, by the way, has hints of “Super”), tried to present comic book characters in an unflattering light, choosing the most unpopular graphic novels.

His heroes are not very smart, incapable of anything, cowardly, faint-hearted, and constantly muttering something under their breath. But when your beloved girl is taken away, anyone would want to get superpowers to get her back. And, of course, fight crime a little – it’s still a superhero movie.

“Logan” (2017, dir. James Mangold)

An unexpected take by the director of “3:10 to Yuma” and “Ford v Ferrari” on a classic superhero through the lens of a sand-swept western. Spitting on cinematic conventions, Mangold immersed the comic book hero in a grounded world where there are almost no superheroes left, and Wolverine himself is no longer what he used to be, working as a limo driver on a kind of retirement. By fate, he has to rescue a mutant girl, fighting through hordes of mercenaries.

Mangold’s “Logan” won over audiences not only with shooting and daring chases across the prairies, but also with a touching story about loneliness in old age.

“Darkman” (1990, dir. Sam Raimi)

Another representative of the superhero horror genre from the “great and terrible” Sam Raimi. Miraculously surviving an attack on his laboratory by criminals, Dr. Westlake turns into a desperate avenger with a disfigured face.

Raimi himself created and directed the story of his character, which would later echo in the infamous “The Crow” and the dark “Spawn,” and Liam Neeson brilliantly brought it to the screen, turning into a vengeful Faust. The film has many directorial tricks that could later be seen in the Spider-Man trilogy and the recent “Doctor Strange.” Sam Raimi stays true to himself and shoots the way he wants. For that, we respect and love him.

“The Innocents” (De uskyldige, 2021, dir. Eskil Vogt)

A relatively fresh Scandinavian thriller that received recognition at Cannes. A story about small children with paranormal abilities, somewhat reminiscent of “X-Men,” but with a taste of repulsive naturalism.

This superhero movie, at a languid and unhurried pace, tells a story about bullying and how children try to protect themselves from their peers – who are unnaturally angry and cruel for their age. Perhaps the only film in the arthouse genre on our list.