Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, joins forces with an unlikely companion on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice when an unexpected adversary strikes too close to home.
Supergirl is the second entry in the new DC Universe (DCU), helmed by James Gunn (Superman (2025)) and producer Peter Safran. Directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya), a filmmaker with a strong reputation for character driven storytelling, the project appeared to be in capable hands from the start. With Superman standing as one of the most iconic superheroes of all time, and comic book films continuing to dominate theaters worldwide, expectations for Supergirl were understandably high.
I want to preface this review by saying that, despite superhero films being my favorite genre to cover, my expectations for Supergirl were surprisingly low. I have always enjoyed the character, particularly in animation, but nothing about the marketing convinced me that this was a film I needed to rush out and see on opening weekend. The trailers looked competent, but they never generated the excitement I was hoping for.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is the relationship between Supergirl and Superman, played by David Corenswet. Every scene they share is a highlight. Corenswet once again embodies the warmth, optimism, and hope that have defined Superman for generations. His presence immediately elevates every moment without ever overshadowing Supergirl in her own story. His appearances are brief, but that ultimately works in the film’s favor. Rather than relying on Superman to carry the movie, Supergirl wisely uses him as a supporting presence while allowing Kara the room to establish her own identity.
Another highlight is the film’s exploration of Krypton, the home planet of both Supergirl and Superman. While its destruction has been depicted many times before, Supergirl offers a fresh perspective by showing Kara’s experience rather than Clark’s. Some of the film’s most heartfelt moments come from these flashbacks, giving audiences a better understanding of who Kara was before losing everything. Unfortunately, the film only scratches the surface. Spending more time exploring her life on Krypton would have made her emotional journey even more impactful and strengthened her motivations throughout the story.
One of the film’s smartest creative decisions is distinguishing Supergirl from Superman. Although they possess the same incredible powers, their personalities could not be more different. Superman embodies hope, compassion, and optimism, while Kara is far more guarded, emotionally distant, and cynical. That contrast prevents her from feeling like a simple female version of Superman and instead allows her to establish an identity of her own. As both a film enthusiast and a fan of the source material, I appreciated that distinction.
The introduction of Lobo, played by Jason Momoa, is another pleasant surprise. While he is not essential to the overall story, his appearance injects a much needed burst of energy whenever he is on screen. His inclusion almost feels like a test run for future DCU projects, giving audiences their first live action look at one of DC’s most popular antiheroes. Whether intentional or not, he adds excitement to the film during moments when it desperately needs it.
Milly Alcock proves she was an excellent casting choice for Supergirl. She looks the part, delivers a convincing performance, and fully embraces the character once she finally appears in costume. The problem is not her performance. It is the material she is given. The film asks viewers to accept Kara’s emotional state without fully earning it. Yes, Krypton was destroyed, but we are told far more about her trauma than we are shown. Because so much of her pain exists off screen, it becomes difficult to fully understand why she remains so emotionally broken. Had the film invested more time in showing those experiences instead of simply referencing them, Kara’s journey would have carried far greater emotional weight.
Ruthye, played by Eve Ridley, is another welcome addition. She is courageous, determined, and surprisingly easy to root for. While I would have enjoyed learning more about her, the film provides enough background to justify her motivations. Her bravery reminded me of many of the young characters from Game of Thrones, making her far more compelling than I expected. Together, Ruthye and Supergirl form a partnership that gives the story enough emotional momentum to remain engaging.
Unfortunately, the screenplay never rises above average. The dialogue is serviceable, but there are very few memorable lines that linger after the credits roll. More importantly, the emotional stakes never feel as high as they should for a film centered on Supergirl. Ironically, Ruthye’s revenge driven storyline often feels more compelling than Kara’s personal journey. That is a problem because audiences are buying tickets to learn about Supergirl, not Ruthye. Kara’s motivations are interesting, but the script rarely explores them with the depth they deserve, leaving one of the film’s strongest ideas frustratingly underdeveloped.
One of my biggest frustrations with Supergirl is its moral conflict surrounding Ruthye’s quest for revenge. Supergirl believes that killing, even for understandable reasons, will ultimately corrupt Ruthye. The problem is that the film never explains why Kara holds this belief so strongly. As a result, the conflict never feels fully earned. Ruthye has every reason to seek vengeance against Crem, yet Supergirl repeatedly dismisses her perspective without the audience ever understanding the experiences that shaped her own philosophy. It is a compelling idea, but one the screenplay never develops deeply enough to make it emotionally satisfying.
The action is another mixed bag. While there are entertaining moments, the overall presentation prevents many of the fight sequences from reaching their full potential. The cinematography often feels dark, muddy, and visually flat, making it surprisingly difficult to follow what is happening on screen. For a film centered around Supergirl, the visuals should feel vibrant, energetic, and larger than life. Instead, much of the action lacks the clarity and spectacle that audiences have come to expect from modern superhero films.
The editing only compounds those issues. Several action scenes feel choppy, while the overall structure of the narrative lacks a natural flow. We are introduced to Kara as though we already understand her, only for key moments from her past to be revealed much later. Her experiences on Krypton and her early years on Earth would have provided a much stronger emotional foundation had they been presented earlier in the story. The narrative is still easy enough to follow, but the emotional journey feels less impactful because its most important moments arrive long after they should.
Despite those shortcomings, Supergirl still exceeded my expectations. Milly Alcock delivers a confident performance that makes Kara an easy character to invest in, and nearly every scene involving Superman, Krypton, or Earth reminds you of the potential this franchise possesses. Even when the film struggles to fully explain Kara’s motivations, she remains a likable and engaging protagonist.
More than anything, Supergirl left me wanting more. The performances are strong, the casting is excellent, and the foundation for something special is clearly there. Unfortunately, the screenplay and uneven execution prevent the film from reaching the heights it is capable of. The story and action are solid but rarely exceptional. Even so, I walked away optimistic about the future of the DC Universe. If James Gunn and his team continue to build on what works while addressing the film’s weaknesses, this franchise still has the potential to become something truly special.
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