In a team that includes icons like Batman and Superman, Cyborg was the least established member in Justice League. Though Ray Fisher’s role as Victor Stone aka Cyborg was greatly reduced in the theatrical release, Zack Snyder’s original vision proved that this complex hero was very much the heart of the story.
Despite his popularity before, audiences became invested in Cyborg’s journey and he made for an intriguing character, very different from the other heroes. And with some memorable quotes in the movie, Cyborg may have established himself as the DCEU’s best Justice League member.
10 A Misunderstood Hero
“F*** The World.”
The DCEU’s heroes have always had a reputation as dark and brooding figures but Cyborg tops them all. He is something of a Frankenstein’s monster-like character but turns his back on society in the belief that he will never be accepted.
When Wonder Woman asks him to help save the world, Cyborg’s response certainly doesn’t sound heroic. But that is part of what makes him such a good character as he starts from a place of hate and isolation before finding his hero’s path.
9 Taking Over
“Thanks, Alfred, But I’ll Take It From Here.”
Cyborg is very much the most standoffish member of the Justice League. He does not seem overly comfortable working on a team, yet with his incredible abilities, he also seems quite confident surrounded by iconic figures like Batman.
Compared to the less experienced Barry Allen, it is fun to see how effortlessly Cyborg slides into the hero role once he embraces it. As the team battles Steppenwolf’s army, he politely takes control of Batman’s Knightcrawler vehicle from Alfred and evens the odds.
8 Burdened With Knowledge
“I Know More Than You Can Possibly Imagine.”
Many of the heroes in the Justice League seem to have godlike powers. While Cyborg wouldn’t initially seem to fit into that category, his ability to communicate with technology in the digital age has endless possibilities.
As Cyborg is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he is able to do, it all seems somewhat daunting to him. The knowledge at his fingertips is something that would even baffle the other impressive heroes.
7 Barry’s Wingman
“She’s 5,000 Years Old, Barry. Every Guy’s A Younger Guy.”
There is an fun dynamic between The Flash and Cyborg that is briefly seen in Justice League. As the two youngest members of the team, they seem like an obvious pairing, but while Barry is a bit of a goof, it is not often Cyborg cracks a joke.
However, Barry seems to bring out the humorous side in him a little as the two discuss their new teammate, Wonder Woman. While having Cyborg as a serious character makes sense, it is nice to see him lighten up a little at times.
6 On A Mission
“Let’s Go Find The Son Of A B****.”
Much like Batman in Batman v Superman, Cyborg is a hero filled with rage. But while Batman lets that anger take him over and acts irrationally, Cyborg gradually learns where to direct his anger. And that means bad news for Steppenwolf.
After losing his father at the hands of Darkseid’s minion, Cyborg is ready for revenge. It is interesting how the line mirrors that of Captain America’s in Avengers: Endgame which shows that noble heroes can still be badasses.
5 Confronting His Father
“You Know A Lot About Monsters, Don’t You? Especially How To Make Them.”
Cyborg’s relationship with his father is one of the most interesting aspects of the movie. Desperate not to lose his son, Silas Stone used the Mother Box technology to bring him back to life which turned him into a half-machine being.
While Silas’s intention was to save his son, Cyborg doesn’t see it as a gift. He feels he has been turned into a monster and blames his father for it. This complicated relationship gives Cyborg one of the best personal struggles out of any superhero.
4 Embracing His Powers
“You Want Me To Use These Gifts, Right? That’s What I’ll Do.”
Unlike the other heroes he fights alongside, Cyborg sees his powers as a curse. When Wonder Woman comes to recruit him, he pushes back against her assertion that his abilities are a gift that can help save the world.
Over the course of the movie, Cyborg begins to see the potential in embracing his abilities. In a pivotal moment in his arc, he is able to see that it is these abilities that are needed in the final battle as if it was meant to be and he is now ready to use them for good.
3 The Nature Of A Machine
“It Wanted To Fly. Flight Is Its Nature.”
There is an interesting split in Cyborg as a character as he withdraws from society yet is also able to connect with machines. A compelling dynamic arises when he encounters one of Batman’s broken-down vehicles and seems to sympathize with it.
After fixing the plane, Cyborg remarks that it “wanted to fly” and insists that was its nature as if it was some living thing in need of fulfilling its purpose. Wonder Woman points out how that relates to Cyborg as well, a machine discovering its own purpose.
2 Whatever Is Necessary
“If I Don’t, We All Die. Period.”
Despite being relatively new to the whole superhero thing, Cyborg never hesitates to head right into danger and attempt to save the day. His bravery also pushes him to be willing to risk his own life when it becomes clear what is needed of him.
Cyborg realizes that he will be able to connect with the Mother Boxes, just like any other technology. Wonder Woman warns that the power of these ancient artifacts could be too much for him, but he is willing to take that risk with the world at stake.
1 Realizing Who He Is
“I’m Not Broken. And I’m Not Alone.”
One of the best aspects of Zack Snyder’s Justice League was how it shows the full arc of Cyborg that was intended and how vital it was to the movie. While some of the other Justice League characters are bigger names, Cyborg’s journey is the emotional core of the story.
His arc comes to a moving end when Cyborg connects to the Mother Boxes. In an attempt to influence him, the boxes show him a vision of himself with his family, offering to fix him so he doesn’t need to be alone. Cyborg finally embraces who he has become and the team he is now a part of before tearing the Mother Boxes apart.
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