Death of a Superhero is a 2011 drama film directed by Ian Fitzgibbon and based on the novel by Anthony McCarten. The movie follows the story of a 15-year-old boy named Donald Clarke who is suffering from a rare form of cancer and is struggling to come to terms with his mortality. In an attempt to cope with his illness, Donald creates a comic book featuring a superhero who is invincible and can conquer anything.
Donald's parents are trying to do everything in their power to save their son's life, but Donald is frustrated with the treatments and the lack of control he has over his own body. He finds refuge in his imaginary world of the superhero, where he can feel powerful and in control. As Donald's health declines, he becomes more and more obsessed with his comic book and the superhero, and his parents begin to worry that he is losing touch with reality.
Throughout the movie, we see flashbacks of Donald's life before his illness, including his relationship with a girl named Shelly who he has a crush on, and his friendship with a therapist named Adrian who is helping him deal with his feelings about dying. As Donald's condition worsens, he begins to question the purpose of life and the possibility of an afterlife.
The film deals with themes of life, death, acceptance, and the power of imagination. It portrays the struggles that many people face when dealing with a life-threatening illness, and the ways in which they try to cope with their mortality. The movie stars Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Donald, and also features Andy Serkis and Aisling Loftus.
