What Is We Can Be Heroes About?
The premise of We Can Be Heroes in 292 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a world where the planet’s most celebrated protectors have vanished without a trace, the stakes have shifted from the grandiose battles of legends to a quieter, more urgent crisis. The heroes’ children—ordinary‑looking teenagers and pre‑teens—find themselves inheriting the only hope of rescuing the missing adults. The story unfolds against a bright, kinetic backdrop that mixes comic‑book spectacle with a suburban‑sized sense of wonder, inviting the audience to wonder how ordinary families cope when the extraordinary suddenly disappears.
At the heart of the scramble is Missy Moreno, a quick‑witted youngster who, despite lacking a super‑power of her own, becomes the reluctant strategist of the group. She is joined by a colorful array of peers, each bearing a singular, astonishing ability: Wheels can outthink any machine, Noodles stretches like rubber, A‑Capella manipulates objects with song, and the twin duo Rewind and Fast Forward bend the flow of time. Their powers feel both whimsical and purposeful, hinting at the limitless imagination that fuels their teamwork.
Guiding—or perhaps overseeing—the youngsters is the enigmatic Ms. Granada, the government liaison tasked with managing the Heroics program. Her presence adds a layer of authority and mystery, suggesting that the rescue mission is as much about navigating bureaucratic expectations as it is about confronting alien threats. The tone balances light‑hearted camaraderie with the weight of responsibility, mixing bright visual flair with moments of introspection as the kids grapple with the legacy of their parents.
Together, these young protagonists set out on a daring quest that promises humor, heart, and a fresh take on heroism. Their journey is less about the battles they will fight and more about the bonds they forge, the confidence they discover, and the unexpected leadership that blooms when the next generation steps into the spotlight.
What Happens in We Can Be Heroes?
The complete story of We Can Be Heroes, from the first scene to the last, in 776 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 19 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Heroics is a thrilling tale of Earth’s super heroes. In this adventure, Missy Moreno (YaYa Gosselin) is at her home alongside her father, Marcus Moreno (Pedro Pascal), a full-fledged superhero and exceptional swordsman. Equipped with a unique power that emits a magnetic force from his hands, he effortlessly wields his blades. Their quiet day is interrupted when they receive a call for help regarding other heroes, prompting Missy to join her father and meet with the offspring of the Heroics team. The planet is under siege by aliens, rendering the super heroes defenseless against their advanced weaponry.
Amidst this chaos, Ms. Granada (Priyanka Chopra), the program manager for the Heroics, calls upon Marcus, despite his retirement from active duty, having previously been the leading figure of the Heroics. With urgent implications, Ms. Granada, alongside the U.S. President Neil Anami (Christopher McDonald), greenlights an all-out assault against the alien fleet.
The government takes swift action to secure the Heroics children at their headquarters. However, Missy lacks any superpowers, placing her at a disadvantage among her peers. She soon encounters other children: Wheels (Andy Walken), the son of Miracle Guy who possesses extraordinary intellect; Noodles (Lyon Daniels), who can stretch like rubber; Ojo (Hala Finley), Ms. Granada’s stepdaughter who communicates artistically due to her muteness; A-Capella (Lotus Blossom), able to manipulate objects through her singing; Slo-Mo (Dylan Henry Lau), permanently in a slow-motion state; Face Maker (Andrew Diaz), who has the power to change his face at will; twins Rewind (Isaiah Russell-Bailey) and Fast Forward (Akira Akbar), who can manipulate time; Wild Card (Nathan Blair), who wields immense, yet uncontrollable power; and Guppy (Vivien Blair), who possesses the strength of a shark and the ability to shape water into various forms.
Among the parents supporting these young heroes are Anita Moreno (Adriana Barraza), Miracle Guy (Boyd Holbrook), Tech-No (Christian Slater), Lavagal (Taylor Dooley), Blinding Fast (Sung Kang), Ms. Vox (Haley Reinhart), Sharkboy (JJ Dashnaw), Crimson Legend (J. Quinton Johnson), Red Lightning Fury (Brittany Perry-Russell), Invisi Girl (Jamie Perez), and Crushing Low (Brently Heilbron).
The kids watch helplessly as their parents confront the aliens on TV, resulting in the capture of the Heroics. Missy soon discovers that Ojo has the ability to foresee events through her artistic creations. When one of Ojo’s drawings reveals an imminent alien invasion of the vault, the children devise an escape plan.
Face Maker cleverly distracts the guards while Guppy subdues them, but an alarm is triggered during the effort. Fortunately, Rewind sends them back in time, halting the alarm in its tracks, while Wheels stops a guard from pushing an emergency button and Noodles snatches the security badges. Ms. Granada, noticing Missy in the hallway, tries to seal the exits, but A-Capella creates a staircase that leads them to the roof, facilitating their flight. They secure a vehicle and make their escape.
The group finds refuge at Missy’s grandmother’s home, a former trainer of the Heroics. Here, they learn to harness their powers and collaborate as a unit. However, the aliens soon arrive, prompting grandma to send the kids through a tunnel to safety. This leads them to an empty field before she is ultimately captured. Within this area, they discover an alien spacecraft and utilize it to board the Mother ship.
Upon locating a room filled with various aliens and a crucial purple pyramid poised to send the aliens to Earth, they overhear a conversation revealing that President Anami and Ms. Granada are, in fact, alien spies planning for an impending takeover. Sadly, the children are soon imprisoned. With remarkable creativity, Guppy uses her power to create a key from their tears to unlock the cell.
As a fierce battle between kids and aliens erupts, Wild Card is detained for interrogation while the rest push forward towards their goal. Wheels manages to hack the motherboard of the spaceship, but Ojo reveals her surprising ability to speak—she is the Supreme Commander of the alien forces! Missy then sends messages to Wild Card from the control room; meanwhile, Face Maker switches identities with him, causing confusion for Ms. Granada.
Once the protective shield around the mother board is disabled by Wild Card, the children manage to fend off the aliens while Wheels and Noodles cleverly swap out the motherboard to deactivate the alien rocket and thwart the takeover. To their astonishment, it turns out their parents emerge from the rocket as well. Ojo discloses that she and Ms. Granada orchestrated the “takeover” as a means to prepare the younglings to become the new generation of Heroics. With heartfelt reunions taking place, the kids stand ready to embark on their quest to protect the planet!
We Can Be Heroes Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “A Quiet Day at Home” to “Ready to Protect the Planet”. 14 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
A Quiet Day at Home
Missy Moreno is spending a peaceful day at home with her father, Marcus Moreno, who is a retired superhero and exceptional swordsman. Their quiet routine is disrupted when they receive an urgent call for help, prompting them to spring into action.
Where:Missy's Home
- 2
Call to Action
Ms. Granada, the program manager for the Heroics, contacts Marcus despite his retirement, emphasizing the dire situation the Earth faces. The heroes are needed once again as the planet comes under siege from an alien invasion, necessitating immediate action.
Where:Heroics Headquarters
- 3
Gathering the Heroics Children
The government swiftly secures the Heroics' children at their headquarters and prepares them for action. Missy realizes she lacks superpowers, which makes her feel out of place among her fellow young heroes.
Where:Heroics Headquarters
- 4
Introducing the Young Heroes
Missy meets other children who possess extraordinary abilities, including Wheels, Noodles, Ojo, and A-Capella, each with unique powers. These introductions help form a bond and camaraderie among the young recruits, despite Missy's insecurities.
Where:Heroics Headquarters
- 5
TV Broadcast of Chaos
As the children watch helplessly on TV, their parents confront the aliens in battle. Unfortunately, the Heroics are captured, raising the stakes for Missy and her friends to take action.
Where:Heroics Headquarters
- 6
Ojo's Vision
Missy discovers that Ojo can foresee events through her artistic drawings. When Ojo's latest artwork implies an imminent alien attack on the vault, the children decide they must implement an escape plan immediately.
Where:Heroics Headquarters
- 7
Executing the Escape Plan
The children execute their carefully devised plan to escape the headquarters. Using their individual abilities, Face Maker, Guppy, and Rewind manage to navigate through security, giving the group a chance to break free.
Where:Heroics Headquarters
- 8
Refuge at Grandma's House
The group finds safety at Missy's grandmother's home, who used to train the Heroics. Here, they learn to harness their powers and work together, preparing for the alien threat that's looming closer.
Where:Grandma's House
- 9
Danger Strikes
The children’s refuge is soon compromised as aliens arrive, prompting grandma to send them through a secret tunnel for their safety. This narrow escape leads them to a field where they discover an alien spacecraft.
Where:Empty Field
- 10
Boarding the Mother Ship
The children cleverly board an alien spacecraft that leads them to the Mother ship. Inside, they hear plans that reveal the shocking truth about alien spies within the U.S. government.
Where:Alien Mother Ship
Show the other 5 events of We Can Be Heroes Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Imprisonment and Unusual Inventions
The children find themselves imprisoned on the Mother ship but are determined to escape. Guppy inventively uses their tears to create a key that unlocks their cell, showcasing their creativity and resilience.
Where:Alien Mother Ship
- 12
Surprising Revelations
During the chaotic battle between the kids and aliens, Ojo reveals her true identity as the Supreme Commander of the alien forces. This shocking discovery shifts the dynamics of the confrontation.
Where:Alien Mother Ship
- 13
Thwarting the Alien Takeover
With all their powers combined, the children manage to disable the motherboard and thwart the potential alien takeover. The excitement escalates as their captured parents make a surprise appearance from the alien rocket.
Where:Alien Mother Ship
- 14
A New Generation of Heroes
The events lead to an emotional reunion between the children and their parents. Ojo clarifies that she and Ms. Granada orchestrated the alien takeover to test the kids' abilities, preparing them to be the next generation of heroes.
Where:Alien Mother Ship
- 15
Ready to Protect the Planet
With their bonds strengthened and newfound confidence, Missy and her friends are ready to take up the mantle of Heroics. They stand united, prepared to defend the planet against future threats as a new team of superheroes.
Who Are the Main Characters in We Can Be Heroes?
5 characters, among them Missy Moreno, Marcus Moreno and Ojo: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 4 of them link to the actor’s page.
-
Missy Moreno
Played by YaYa Gosselin
Missy is a determined and resourceful young girl who aspires to be a hero like her father, Marcus. Although she lacks superpowers, her cleverness and ability to inspire her friends showcase her strong character. Throughout the story, she emerges as a leader, rallying the other children to rise against the alien threat.
- 🌟 Hero
- 👧 Young Hero
-
Marcus Moreno
Played by Pedro Pascal
Marcus is a skilled former superhero, known for his magnetic abilities and formidable swordsmanship. His protective nature towards Missy and other heroes showcases his commitment to safeguarding those he loves. Though retired from active duty, he motivates the new generation of heroes and leads them in their fight against the alien invaders.
- 🦸♂️ Superhero
- 🔫 Swordsman
-
Ojo
Played by Hala Finley
Ojo is a unique character with the ability to foresee events through her artistic creations, emphasizing her artistic talents despite her muteness. Initially perceived as limited, she proves vital with her foresight, becoming an essential strategist for the group. Her evolution from a seemingly silent observer to a commanding presence showcases her significance in the story.
- 🎨 Artist
- 🔮 Visionary
-
Wheels
Played by Andy Walken
Wheels is the son of Miracle Guy, gifted with extraordinary intellect and tech-savvy skills. His innovative problem-solving abilities often help the group escape perilous situations. His character embodies the critical role of intelligence and quick thinking in overcoming challenges.
- 💡 Genius
- 🛠️ Techie
- G
Guppy
Guppy has the remarkable power of shaping water and possesses the strength of a shark. Her creativity shines through as she devises a strategy to unlock a prison cell using a key made from the group’s tears. Guppy represents the unconventional hero type, reminding the audience that might comes in many forms.
- 🐋 Water Manipulator
- 🦈 Strong
Where and When Is We Can Be Heroes Set?
We Can Be Heroes is set in Earth and Missy's Grandmother's home. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The movie is set in contemporary times, highlighting modern themes like teamwork and the potential of the younger generation. The narrative suggests an urgent yet adventurous atmosphere as the characters face immediate threats from extraterrestrial forces.
Where
Earth, Missy's Grandmother's home
The primary setting of the film is Earth, where superheroes and their families navigate the challenges posed by alien invaders. A significant location is Missy's grandmother's home, a former trainer of the Heroics, which serves as a refuge for the kids. This home becomes a training ground for the children as they learn to harness their powers and collaborate against the alien threat.
- 🏠 Home
- 🌌 Space
What Are the Themes of We Can Be Heroes?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Empowerment and Teamwork.
-
01
Empowerment
The theme of empowerment is prevalent, especially as the young characters, despite their lack of experience, rise to the occasion to protect their planet. Missy's journey illustrates how courage and unity can overcome adversity, emphasizing that true strength comes from working together. The kids evolve from feeling like underdogs to becoming heroic figures in their own right.
-
02
Teamwork
Teamwork stands at the heart of the plot as the children learn to rely on each other’s unique abilities. Each character brings something special to the table, demonstrating that collaboration can yield incredible results. This theme highlights the importance of friendship and cohesion in the face of adversity.
What Kind of Film Is We Can Be Heroes?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced, energetic, and uplifting children's adventure that feels playful and hopeful as a group of quirky kids learn to master their powers and work together to save their superhero parents from a surprising alien threat.
- uplifting
- adventurous
- energetic
- playful
- hopeful
- quirky
- inherited powers
- alien invasion
- child heroes
- found family
Content notes: child endangerment, alien invasion, incarceration.
Quiz
How well do you remember We Can Be Heroes? Test yourself on the story.
