Movie Review: Supergirl
- Faiz Faisal
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Supergirl is a 2026 superhero film directed by Craig Gillespie and serves as the second theatrical installment in the rebooted DC Universe (DCU). Based on Tom King's acclaimed comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the film takes audiences far beyond Earth and into the depths of space. The story follows Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), a hardened and cynical Kryptonian whose upbringing couldn't be more different from her cousin Clark Kent's. Joined by a young alien named Ruthye (Eve Ridley) and the infamous bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa), Kara embarks on a galaxy-spanning quest to hunt down the ruthless Krem of the Yellow Hills in a tale filled with revenge, loss, and self-discovery.
The Expectation vs. The Reality
To be completely honest, I was nowhere near as excited for Supergirl as I was for last year's Superman. And no, before anyone starts typing angry comments, it has absolutely nothing to do with gender. There simply wasn't much about this project that grabbed my attention. The post-credit scene in Superman did spark a little curiosity, but whatever excitement I had quickly faded once the trailers started dropping.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Problem
My biggest takeaway from this movie is just how much it feels like it's trying to recreate Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. The visual style, the colorful space adventure aesthetic, and even parts of the sound design felt incredibly familiar. There were moments where I genuinely expected Florence and The Machine's "Dog Days Are Over" to suddenly start playing in the background.
The problem is that while the movie successfully imitates the vibe, it never quite captures the magic. A huge part of what made Guardians of the Galaxy special was James Gunn's ability to use music as a storytelling device. Here, the soundtrack feels far less memorable and doesn't leave the same impact.
A Simple Story That Works
One thing I can appreciate is how straightforward the story is. You don't need years of comic book knowledge to understand what's happening. The film does a decent job explaining why Kara is so different from Clark and why she views the universe through a much darker lens.
For casual moviegoers, this accessibility is probably one of the movie's biggest strengths. It provides enough action, enough character development, and enough backstory to keep things moving without becoming overly complicated.
The Cast
Milly Alcock's portrayal of Kara surprised me. I've never watched House of the Dragon, so I had no prior expectations going into this. While I'm not entirely sold on every aspect of the character, I do think she fits this particular version of Supergirl quite well. She's rough around the edges, emotionally guarded, and carries the weight of her past convincingly.
Eve Ridley as Ruthye took a little longer to win me over. I wasn't particularly fond of the character at first, but as the story progressed, she gradually became more likable and ultimately earned her place in the narrative.
Then there's Jason Momoa as Lobo. Honestly? It feels like Jason Momoa is just playing Jason Momoa again. I swear I've seen this exact personality in at least five different movies by now. That being said, his natural charisma and comedic timing work in the film's favor, especially when things start getting a little too serious.
The Action Is A Mess
Unfortunately, this is where the movie really loses points for me.
The action sequences should have been one of the highlights, but the camera work makes them incredibly frustrating to watch. It feels like the filmmakers were aiming for a gritty, handheld realism, but instead created a chaotic visual mess. There are moments where punches are being thrown, creatures are flying around, explosions are happening, and yet you're not entirely sure what you're supposed to be looking at.
The final battle is easily the biggest offender. A massive dust storm dominates the sequence, making it nearly impossible to clearly see what's happening on screen. I understand the artistic intention, but if I have to squint to follow the climax of your movie, something has gone wrong.
Final Verdict
Supergirl isn't a bad movie by any means. It's entertaining enough, the performances are solid, and the cosmic setting offers a refreshing change from the usual Earth-based superhero stories.
At the same time, it never quite escapes the shadow of the movies that inspired it. It borrows heavily from the Guardians of the Galaxy playbook, delivers a serviceable but unspectacular story, and fumbles some of its biggest action moments through questionable camera choices.
Still, for casual audiences and younger viewers looking for a fun superhero adventure filled with action, humor, and colorful alien worlds, there's plenty here to enjoy.
Rating: 6/10
A decent cosmic adventure with a strong lead performance from Milly Alcock, but one that struggles to find its own identity among the stars.
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