Black Adam: release date, reviews, cast, trailer and everything we know

Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam
Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam (Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

Black Adam sees Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson joining the DC cinematic universe, as he takes on the role of the complex comic book character. The film is easily one of the more anticipated new movies for 2022.

Speaking to Men's Journal, lead actor Dwayne Johnson has revealed just how intense his training was for the latest DC film, which tells the story of a lesser-known comic book character. 

He said: "The training we did for this movie was the most arduous I’ve ever done in my life. I promise you this: The hierarchy of power in the DC universe is about to change."

Here's everything we know about Black Adam so far...

Black Adam release date

Black Adam arrived in cinemas worldwide on October 21. It is now streaming as of December 16 on HBO Max. 

Here's how to watch Black Adam.

What is the plot of Black Adam?

Black Adam is set to be an origin story for the DC Comics superhero/super villain. Here is the official synopsis for the movie:

"In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed and Black Adam has gone from man, to myth, to legend. Now released, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone."

Black Adam reviews — what the critics are saying

The reviews are in for Black Adam and they're a bit of a mixed bag.

What to Watch's Black Adam review breaks it down by saying that despite its flaws and narrative struggles, the movie has plenty of moments that make it a fun watch, thanks in large part to director Jaume Collet-Serra.

If you're curious what the general consensus for Black Adam is, as of October 19 the superhero movie has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 55%, which earns it a "Rotten" label.

Who's in the cast?

Dwayne Johnson leads the cast of Black Adam, and there are a few more stars currently attached to the project. Here's the cast of the film as it stands...

  • Sarah Shahi as Adrianna Tomaz
  • Pierce Brosnan as Dr. Fate
  • Aldis Hodge as Carter Hall
  • Noah Centineo as Al Rothstein
  • Quintessa Swindell as Maxine Hunkell

Is there a trailer?

Yes, a full trailer for Black Adam is now available and it shows The Rock in action! It shows how the titular character died and was reborn, and follows him 5,000 years after he got his powers and escaped from his imprisonment.

You can take a look below...

There was also a sneak peek of the movie released at San Diego Comic-Con. In it, you'll see Black Adam being presented with the choice of destroying the world or being its savior. 

How long is Black Adam?

Black Adam has a runtime of two hours and four minutes.

What is Black Adam rated?

Black Adam is rated PG-13 in the US and 12A in the UK for "sequences of strong violence, intense action and some language."

Lucy Buglass
Senior Staff Writer

Lucy joined the WhatToWatch.com team in 2021, where she writes series guides for must-watch programmes, reviews and the latest TV news. Originally from Northumberland, she graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Film Studies and moved to London to begin a career writing about entertainment.


She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic and has a huge passion for cinema. She especially loves horror, thriller and anything crime-related. Her favourite TV programmes include Inside No 9, American Horror Story, Stranger Things and Black Mirror but she is also partial to a quiz show or a bit of Say Yes to the Dress