WARDEN shatters the superhero mold with a raw, real-world lens
By Frances Levi for Film Daily
What happens when the world’s first superhero emerges—not in Metropolis, but in the gritty streets of Brazil? WARDEN, the debut feature from The Flying Man director Marcus Alqueres, answers that question with unnerving realism and genre-defying grit. Presented in a faux-documentary style, WARDEN sidesteps capes and clichés to explore a darker, more plausible question: What if this really happened?
“WARDEN is a grounded reimagining of the superhero myth, stripping away the spectacle to ask, ‘What if this really happened?’” — Marcus Alqueres
Discover what’s hidden
Freestyle Digital Media, a division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, will release WARDEN on all major North American VOD platforms and DVD starting March 14, 2025. Watch the trailer here.
A super concept built from scratch
WARDEN fuses sci-fi, social realism, and superhero myth into a haunting tale of justice, control, and the collateral damage of hero worship. Inspired by a script from Jeff Juhasz (Secret Level), Alqueres saw in it the chance to reinvent a tired genre.
“Using the superhero framework as a surface layer allowed the story to tap into something deeper and more thought-provoking.”
Alqueres, best known for his viral short The Flying Man (25M+ views), brought his signature style of grounded storytelling to the project—this time filtered through the lens of those affected by power, not the wielder of it.
A world told through witnesses
Instead of tracking the rise of the superhero himself, WARDEN takes a bold narrative approach: it’s told entirely through interviews with those who knew him—supporters, detractors, and victims alike.
“We chose to tell it as a documentary, always from the perspective of those who were around him… that ambiguity is central to the story.”
Shot during the pandemic in Brazil with minimal crew and maximum creativity, the mockumentary format allowed Alqueres to stretch every dollar. And the limitations became fuel for invention.
Embrace the imperfect
“We embraced imperfection. The real world is imperfect, and things like newscast footage or found footage shouldn’t feel overly polished.”
Real-world inspiration, universal resonance
Although originally written for a U.S. setting, the filmmakers relocated the story to Brazil with few adjustments—a testament to the universality of the film’s themes.
“Themes like power, influence, and public perception are present in many societies. Referencing real-world events helped us ground the story in something that feels authentic.”
With shades of Bolsonaro, Trump, and other populist figures, WARDEN doesn’t just comment on the superhero genre—it dissects the current global moment through it.
Uncover shadows anew
“The story was inspired by the rise of authoritarian figures and the way power can be twisted under the guise of justice.”
The team behind the myth
Produced by Alqueres alongside Steve Tzirlin (a Lucasfilm vet), Jeff Juhasz, and Sarah Kinga Smith, WARDEN brings together talents from across the globe. While the U.S.-based team offered strategic feedback, Alqueres helmed the Brazil-based shoot with lean resources and massive ambition.
“When I began sharing early cuts, they came in with fresh eyes and were able to offer valuable feedback from a different perspective.”
Casting, too, was a pandemic-era feat. With the industry on pause, actors were more accessible—making it possible to build a stellar Brazilian cast including Giovanni de Lorenzi (Warden), Alli Willow, and Antonio Saboia.
Not your average superhero
Rather than obsessing over Warden’s powers or origin, the film explores how society reacts to him. Is he a savior—or a symptom of something darker?
“Some see him as a force of justice, others as a dangerous presence. The film invites the audience to question their own perceptions of power.”
Instead of spandex suits and CGI slugfests, WARDEN focuses on viral videos, media spin, and societal divides. His costume is symbolic, not theatrical.
Unravel the truth
“The goal was to make people think, ‘Yes, this is how it would actually happen.’”
Early buzz and what’s next
The film made its first splash at Comic-Con Experience (CCXP) in São Paulo, teasing the trailer and opening scenes to a curious and captivated crowd.
“People hadn’t really seen a superhero story told in a documentary format before… That combination sparked a lot of interest.”
As for the future, Alqueres isn’t ruling anything out. A sequel? A spin-off? A series? Maybe.
Explore new horizons
“There have been ideas tossed around… I do try to build stories in a way that leaves room for future exploration.”
He’s also currently developing a Flying Man feature and directing a new adaptation of a major Brazilian comic IP, produced by Fernando Meirelles (City of God).
The final word
WARDEN lands as a bold, fresh answer to superhero fatigue—deftly blending genre storytelling with urgent social commentary. It asks big questions in a small-budget package, and the result is unmissable.
“I don’t know if it sets itself apart, but I hope it offers a fresh perspective. If the work connects with people, that’s already a big reward.”
Watch WARDEN starting March 14, 2025
🟢 Trailer🟢 IMDb🟢 Freestyle Digital Media
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