The Flash has issues and Ezra Miller is only one of them

The long-delayed Flash movie arrives at a curious time for Warner Bros. After watching Marvel drink their milkshake, the studio handed Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn and film producer Peter Safran the keys to the kingdom. Gunn has already written a script for a new Superman film. There's talk of a new Batman and Robin, Supergirl, Swamp Thing and (gasp) Booster Gold projects. 

But first there's The Flash. A leftover from the Zack Synder reign of the Justice League era, the super powered speedster played by Ezra Miller is finally fronting his own adventure. 

While much of the Snyderverse was overly dark and dour, Miller's performance as the Flash was a welcome spark of levity. The scientist in over his head trying to make the most of his abilities is as close as DC has come to creating a Peter Parker of their own.

But the long-delayed and highly anticipated film, which opens Friday, has issues — beyond the alleged inappropriate behaviour of its star.

Be warned. If you haven't been studying the history of DC comics-inspired content with the devotion of talmudic scholar, the climatic moments of The Flash may leave you befuddled. 

Finally in production after going through more directors than Batman costume changes, the studio settled on Andy Muschietti who made waves with his adaptations of the Stephen King It films.  In February 2021, cameras began to roll.

Then Ezra Miller started making headlines with a series of accusations and multiple charges laid against them.

The actor, who goes by they and them pronouns, was charged with burglary in Vermont. They pled guilty to misdemeanour unlawful trespass and in 2023 began serving a one year probation. They were also arrested twice in Hawaii, where a harassment charge was dismissed and Miller paid a $500 fine. 

As the release date approached, the actor stayed out of the spotlight and was said to be receiving treatment for mental health issues. Earlier this week, Miller re-emerged.  At their sole red carpet appearance they pointedly thanked Warner Bros. executives, "For your grace and discernment and care in the context of my life."

What complicates the questions around Miller's actions is that their performance in The Flash is unequivocally what makes the film different than anything DC has ever released. 

Miller plays Barry as someone who is not normal but desperate to be. His mind races, he's constantly ravenous for food to fuel his speed powers.

In person, he's awkward and any attempt to compensate, like when the thinly sketched love interest Iris West drops by, creates hilarious moments.

With Flash on speed dial from Wayne Manor, Barry complains about being the Justice League's janitor. With all his abilities he still can't outrun his trauma. The death of his mother hangs over him. When the hero discovers an ability to run back in time, things get messy. 

As Barry stumbles across a younger, less haunted version of himself, Miller's abilities multiply. The two Barrys share a lot of screen time and could not be more distinct. Unmarred by trauma, the younger Barry is a happy college student who behaves more like a young Keanu Reeves than a haunted hero.