Movies used to tell us the hero’s journey was about greatness. In fact, I have this specific memory of hearing things like, “You’re destined for greatness!” You’re supposed to “rise above” everyone else, find your purpose and save the world like some invincible human. However, there are more films that are saying something different but all the more real because of it. Maybe the real hero’s journey isn’t about being special. Maybe it’s about learning how to be okay with being ordinary.
Movies like “Barbie” and even “Spider-Man” show this perfectly. In “Barbie,” the story starts with chaos and this structured society designed to ensure everyone plays their role, but it ends beautifully with a message. The characters don’t win medals or gain fame. They just choose to live honestly. In “Spider-Man,” Peter Parker starts off as a normal kid who’s worried about things like school, family and fitting in. Then, he gets these special powers and loses himself for a moment, thinking he’s special and maybe even above the normal life. It’s not until Uncle Ben’s passing that he realizes the truth, that being a hero means accepting his ordinary life instead of escaping it.
“Barbie” hits hard because she doesn’t want to be an icon anymore. She wants to breathe, eat, love and grow old like any normal person would. That moment feels bigger than any victory scene because it’s what growing up really means. You stop trying to become the best version of someone else and start being the most honest version of yourself.
“Spider-Man” uses what’s closer to a typical hero story but also dives into the importance of ordinary life as well. Peter finds out his powers don’t get rid of his responsibilities, and that his choices in his normal life make the greatest consequences. His greatest challenge isn’t facing villains but holding onto who he is and balancing his normal life with saving the people around him in the process.
We’ve been told that ordinary equals boring, but maybe ordinary is actually the bravest thing to be. It takes strength to look at your messy, unfinished and unfiltered life and say, “This is enough.”
Movies are finally starting to show that being human is worthy on its own. Maybe the real hero’s journey doesn’t take you to some faraway land. Maybe it takes you home. Maybe it’s the moment you stop running after extraordinary things and realize the quiet power of ordinary. That’s not a failure. That’s the whole point.
