The DC Extended Universe has been unfairly judged to focus on dark themes, seeing as the series has excelled in bringing gut-wrenching moments forward. Wonder Woman 1984 has continued this practice, with the film doing so through the separation of the main characters to heartbreaking levels.
It’s been a common thing to see in the DCEU at large, with these scenes being the best the series has to offer in terms of emotional impact. These range from being moments that precede a character’s death or when they have to leave a loved one behind due to varying factors. They also highlight the connection between the two characters that are being separated.
Superman And Lois Before He Goes To Sacrifice Himself (Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice)
Superman got treated like trash by the public in Dawn of Justice, yet he stayed true to his selfless nature and chose to sacrifice himself to kill Doomsday. The preceding moment was his separation from Lois, who was distraught with Superman’s decision.
It highlighted why fans prefer this couple so much, along with the heartbreaking realization that, despite Superman calling Lois “my world,” he was prepared to sacrifice both his happiness and his life in order to save the very same people who had been against him.
Steve’s Last Words To Diana (Wonder Woman)
This pair has the strongest claim to be called the best couple of the DCEU. Unfortunately, they didn’t have much time together, which was highlighted by Steve in the last moment they shared. Having decided to die on the plane, he told Diana he loved her and parted ways.
It’s especially sad since Diana wasn’t completely lucid when Steve spoke to her, meaning she didn’t appreciate the gravity of their separation until later. They could have been together his whole life, but his choice to sacrifice himself ensured the two lovers separated in this moment.
Steve Accepting His Fate And Telling Diana To Let Him Go (Wonder Woman 1984)
It seems as if these two can never catch a break, with Wonder Woman 1984 bringing in another heartbreaking separation. When Steve realized that the only way for Diana to regain her powers was to renounce her wish from the Dreamstone, he asked her to let him go.
Understandably, she was against this from happening since Steve would die again, but the latter managed to convince her. After reuniting as long as 66 years after their original farewell, this was a goodbye that was difficult to stomach, especially since it was through Diana’s own choice.
Maxwell Lord Realizing He’s Put His Son In Danger (Wonder Woman 1984)
While this technically didn’t happen since it was a vision, it was still a separation since Maxwell Lord saw his son escaping from his grasp. When it appeared as if he’d become too powerful with the Dreamstone, Wonder Woman made him see what would happen if he continued the chaos.
Lord saw his own son in peril, having been separated from his father and wandering the streets when everything fell apart. It was due to this possibility that Lord renounced his wish to reunite with his son, proving even someone like Maxwell Lord could have a heart.
Atlanna Leaving Tom To Save Him And Their Son (Aquaman)
After escaping from her motherland in the sea, Atlanna came across Thomas Curry and the two had a life together where they also had a son. She was eventually tracked down, though, as Atlantean soldiers forced her to go back to her arranged marriage.
What’s sad is that the family was enjoying a happy day together when they were attacked and Atlanna tried her best to fight off the soldiers. Realizing they would be tracked down nonetheless, she bade farewell to her son and lover. Even worse was how Arthur grew up resenting his mother, not realizing how painful it had been for her to leave them behind.
The Kanes’ Final Moment Together (Aquaman)
The beginning of Aquaman saw the titular hero prevent pirates from taking over a submarine. Arthur left the Kane father-son duo to their own devices when Jesse Kane tried to kill him. Although they were villains, it’s still hard not to feel for the Kanes.
David nearly let himself drown with his father to remove debris off him, and it took Jesse threatening to kill both of them with an explosion to make David leave him behind. It was a pretty good way of bringing sympathy to David’s background before he turned into Black Manta, as the final parting between father and son was a heartbreaking one.
Harley Falling From The Helicopter (Suicide Squad)
The Joker seen in the DCEU divides audiences, but his chemistry with Harley Quinn can’t be denied. The most noteworthy moment of their tragic love story was when Joker almost rescued her Task Force X, only for them to be separated again.
Harley boarded the helicopter Joker brought to retrieve her but fell out when the chopper was shot and was about to crash. For a brief moment, the two lovers stretched out their arms as if all would be fine, yet the next could do nothing as the helicopter fell to the ground.
Batman Taking Deadshot Away From His Daughter (Suicide Squad)
This instance is worthy of being among the saddest DCEU moments overall. The only reason for living Deadshot had was his daughter, who was also the one thing that prevented him from being a full-blown baddie. Batman took advantage of this, ambushing Deadshot while he was with his daughter.
Being a good person, his daughter prevented Deadshot from shooting Batman, leaving her father to be captured by the authorities. Even though they were going to be ripped apart, Deadshot and his daughter held on to one another as long as they could before he was thrown in jail.
Billy Being Separated From His Mother (Shazam!)
Billy spent his entire life trying to piece together how he lost his mother in Shazam!, whom he was separated from at a carnival. The scene is an accurate depiction of how easy it is for children to get lost, with little Billy getting momentarily distracted before losing sight of his mother entirely.
This is given an even sadder context later on when it’s seen from Marilyn Batson’s point of view, where it’s revealed that she intentionally left her child. For Billy, the most painful aspect is realizing the separation he thought to be was actually an abandonment. It’s no wonder Marilyn is one of the most hated DCEU characters.
Jonathan Willingly Dying To Protect Clark’s Truth (Man Of Steel)
Man of Steel, which many would agree is better than it’s given credit for, set the framework for Superman’s manner of thinking as a superhero. It stemmed from the lesson taught by his father, who was separated from his family during a tornado and willingly let himself die.
Clark could have saved Jonathan, but the latter loved his son too much to have the truth of his powers be exposed and decided to perish instead. They were separated only by a few seconds’ worth of distance for Superman’s powers, but to him, it felt like a void he couldn’t leap across.
