Check out our thoughts on the new DC Universe Film Supergirl! Photos provided by WB PR for this review!
Hey All!
Supergirl is the second feature film in the new DC Universe of films, followed by 2025’s Superman. Supergirl stars and is centered around Kara Zor El (Milly Alcock), the cousin of Superman who made her introduction in his film. Though there is much connective tissue between Superman and Supergirl, this film is less a sequel to Superman, and more so just the second chapter in the seemingly expanding story that mastermind James Gunn is weaving for his vision of the DC Universe.
Supergirl is directed by Craig Gillespie, director of such films as Cruella, The Finest Hours, and my personal favorite from his catalogue Lars and the Real Girl. Using a script from Ana Nogueira, Gillespie crafts a “world” that leans more into the science fiction realm that is filled with aliens, different planets, different suns, and space travel. The film’s setting and premise is inspired by Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s Eisner nominated comic book miniseries Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow.
Rather than be an adaption of Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow, it is fairer to say that Supergirl takes inspiration from the beloved comic. Whereas the vibe and story of Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow was more in the vein of True Grit, Supergirl is more in the vein of the road trip genre; two friends go on a journey and within their quest reveal things to one another and grow as individuals and as friends.
The look and tone of the film can be likened to James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films best. The bright and varied colors of ships, aliens, machines, planets, and everything teamed with treating everything fantastic to human eyes as everyday life for beings of another world are things I think most people think of when remembering Gunn’s Guardians films and it is safe to say that is the intent in Supergirl. Even the Brigands (essentially savage space pirates) are reminiscent of the Ravagers from the aforementioned Guardians films. Additionally, the balance of irreverent humor and human drama that James Gunn productions are known for, seems to be part of the vision for James Gunn’s DCU, and is well done in Supergirl.
To its benefit, Supergirl’s plot and story are very straightforward and focused. For her birthday, Supergirl travels the universe to hang in solar systems with red suns so that she can feel the effects of getting drunk. She is portrayed as someone who has great loss and is herself lost. As she drifts from one planet and party to the next, we get the sense that she has no direction and is not interested in finding one. It is not until she finds purpose that both the film and she begin to focus. On one of the many planets visited, Kara meets Ruthye Knoll, who is seeking vengeance on the man who, in front of her, murdered her family. Though reluctant at first, Kara is motivated through several reasons, including the same man shooting her dog Krypto with poison, to aide Ruthye in her quest.
Along the quest through the cosmos, the film introduces us to what space travel is like. There is a ship transport is basically like a greyhound bus taking passengers from planetary system to planetary system, there are space pit stops that give the vibe of a wacky 7-11, space raiders that rob transports, bars with colorful aliens, and space bounty hunters who ride jet propulsion bikes. Okay it really is just one space bounty hunter who rides a jet propulsion bike and that’s comic book fan favorite Lobo as played by Jason Momoa.
Now one may think, “Isn’t Jason Momoa Aquaman?” He was. And now in James Gunn’s DC Universe, he is Lobo. Simple as that. For those who are familiar with the character, it was an obvious choice to cast Momoa as Lobo and he delivers. Supergirl feels like a movie where everyone had fun making it, but I am not sure anyone had more fun than Jason Momoa playing Lobo. In no way does Momoa, or the character of Lobo, steal the movie from Supergirl, but his presence just makes sense and is fun to watch as he comes in and out of the movie. Though he is present for some major fights in the film, the film knows it is not his story, and he does not overstay or under stay his welcome.
Not outside the logic of his presence in the film is also David Corenswet’s Superman. More than just cameos, his presence in the film lends to the idea that in this DC Universe, all the actors will make time to be present in various projects even if they are not the star. Again, it doesn’t detract from the film being about Supergirl and Ruthye, but it fits and just makes sense.
For me, the real standout performance is Matthias Schoenaerts (The Old Guard, Red Sparrow) who plays the villain Krem of the Yellow Hills. Schoenaerts’ performance is a villain who revels in being despicable, cruel, and violent and really meets the standard as being “a villain you love to hate.”
As Supergirl, Milly Alcock is able to convey the grief, confidence, and fun that is written into the role, but especially shines in the moments of grief, wandering and suffering. And this is a Supergirl who suffers. In addition to taking hits and being slammed into things, she is haunted by the loss of her family and her people. While Superman’s origin and flight from Krypton have been told many times in many different media, now we get to see Supergirl’s origin and escape and it is some of the most powerful and memorable drama of the film, as it was from comic Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow.
While the theme and moral from 2025’s Superman was “its punk rock to be kind,” Supergirl’s message is “above all, be good.” A message that succinctly understands that one cannot be perfect in every way and rather just asks that we be good.
While I would say that Supergirl is fun and generally safe for all ages, it should be said that there is violence and vulgar language spread through the film. If you feel safe watching James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films (yes, it is hard not to use them as a point of reference) and last year’s Superman, then you should have fun and feel safe watching Supergirl.
Head out to your local IMAX theater and check out Supergirl in theaters on June 26!
