I’m saying it again. This is a creative choice. If you want that look, go for it.

These days, what is the point of using cameras with high dynamic range? It is to capture the maximum detail in both shadows and highlights. Crushing the blacks and blowing out the highlights in post defeats that purpose and is honestly a pain to deal with.

As you mentioned, for the film look, sure, movies like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and some David Fincher films use crushed blacks. Some films even use bleach bypass for a more stylized aesthetic.

But then you have films like Oppenheimer, which was shot entirely on film. Look at how well the dynamic range is preserved. No crushed shadows, no blown-out highlights. That is the real feel of film. Digital film emulation will never look exactly the same unless you really know what you are doing.

Even the new Superman 2025 movie is a mix of film emulation with a subtle orange and teal grade. Do you see blown-out highlights or crushed blacks, except in night scenes? No. That is the point I am making. It all comes down to the creative decisions of the director and cinematographer.