When a superhero break-up turns into a high-stakes, city-destroying romantic comedy disaster
In short: In the 2006 film My Super Ex-Girlfriend, a corporate architect discovers that his neurotic new partner is actually G-Girl, a powerful superheroine. After he ends the relationship, her jealousy leads to a vengeful rampage, forcing him to team up with her high school nemesis to strip away her powers.
Directed by Ivan Reitman, the film stars Uma Thurman as the volatile G-Girl and Luke Wilson as the man who becomes the target of her supernatural wrath. The narrative explores the aftermath of a breakup where the scorned party possesses abilities like flight, invulnerability, and heat vision. After being dumped for her demanding behavior, G-Girl uses her powers to humiliate her ex, including throwing his car into space and stripping him naked during a professional meeting. The plot thickens with the introduction of Professor Bedlam, a former high school flame who harbors a secret obsession with her and seeks to steal her powers for himself.
The film's production was fast-tracked after writer Don Payne, a fan of comic books, pitched the spec script, originally titled Super Ex. Despite the high-concept premise, the movie received mixed reviews, with critics often citing its reliance on tired clichés. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 40% approval rating, while audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a C+. Some reviewers, such as Peter Travers, suggested the film lacked the intensity of the thriller Fatal Attraction, which it is often compared to. Psychologist Stephen N. Gold has even analyzed the character of G-Girl, suggesting her behavior aligns with borderline personality disorder.
Behind the scenes, the experience was reportedly difficult for some cast members. In a 2022 interview, Anna Faris described working under Reitman as a reign of terror, alleging that he was a yeller who would frequently belittle staff and actors. Despite these challenges, the film performed moderately at the box office. Released in July 2006, it grossed $61.1 million worldwide against a $30 million budget. While it failed to achieve critical acclaim, it remains a distinct entry in the superhero genre, blending romantic comedy tropes with the destructive potential of a scorned, super-powered individual.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: My Super Ex-Girlfriend
- Also: Wikidata — My Super Ex-Girlfriend · CC0
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