Superhero origin stories have become so ingrained in pop culture that they’ve infiltrated other genres. What may look like a coming-of-age drama or a gritty crime thriller can also serve as the background for the rise of a superpowered champion, one who doesn’t fully emerge until the movie is nearly over. Grounded stories like these provide a counterpoint to grandiose Marvel and DC productions, which often lose sight of their characters’ everyday lives.
