Push packs a rich superhero universe into a single film

The opening credits of the 2009 film Push cram so much exposition and terminology that it feels like the filmmakers are introducing an entire superhero universe. Instead, the story ended with a single film. Part of the cape-free wave that followed 2006’s Heroes and preceded the dominance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Push nevertheless stands on its own thanks to an excellent cast and a richly rendered setting, making it an easy fit for fans of Stranger Things, Sense8 and X‑Men.

The film’s world is organized around neat power sets — Movers, Watchers, Pushers and even Bleeders — and centers on Nick Grant (Chris Evans), a Mover with imperfect control, living in Hong Kong and trying to avoid Division, the government outfit that killed his father and experiments on psychics.

Nick’s life is upended when 13‑year‑old Watcher Cassie Holmes (Dakota Fanning) appears with a plan to make $6 million, and their banter drives much of the film as Watchers attempt to steer events toward foreseen outcomes. Push leans into its genre mechanics.

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