Supergirl Movie Review: A Promising Character, An Average Film.
With James Gunn now leading DC Studios, there's a great deal of pressure on him and his team to deliver a cinematic universe capable of competing with the MCU. Following the release of Superman last year, expectations rose considerably. While it wasn't a perfect film by any means, it was a strong start that laid a solid foundation for the stories to come.
It didn't take long for DC to reveal its next chapter. Supergirl was announced for a summer 2026 release, and now it's finally here. Directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock as the titular hero, the film has the difficult task of building on the momentum established by Superman while proving that the new DC Universe is more than a one-hit wonder.
Unfortunately, it never quite rises to that challenge. Now, did I hate the film? Not at all. In fact, I found myself largely indifferent by the time the credits rolled. It's nowhere near as bad as some reviews might have you believe, but it's also far from the exciting follow-up many were hoping for. Instead, Supergirl settles into an experience that feels surprisingly safe and, for the most part, just average. So, what keeps it from reaching the heights of its predecessor? Let's get into it.
As the title suggests, the film follows Kara and her loyal companion, Krypto. From the opening moments, it's clear that Kara is drifting through life without much direction. She spends her days bouncing from one adventure to the next, chasing whatever catches her interest rather than pursuing any greater purpose. It's an interesting starting point for the character and one that immediately distinguishes her from her cousin, Superman.
I can see what the filmmakers were aiming for here, and it's an intriguing contrast to what Superman represents. Where Superman embodies hope, responsibility, discipline, and unwavering compassion, Kara feels much more like an ordinary young adult. She doesn't have life figured out, doesn't believe she owes herself to the world, and isn't driven by an inherent need to do good. It's a refreshing approach to the character and one that gives her plenty of room to grow over the course of the movie and the wider DC Universe.
Unfortunately, that's where my biggest issue with the film begins. While Kara is introduced as a character with plenty of emotional baggage and obvious room for development, the script never fully capitalises on that potential. There are moments where it hints at a deeper exploration of her identity, purpose, and place within this new universe, but those ideas rarely evolve beyond the surface. By the time the credits rolled, I was left feeling like I'd spent two hours with an interesting character rather than one I'd truly come to understand.
That same issue extends to much of the supporting cast. Ruthye may be the emotional catalyst for Kara's journey, but beyond serving that narrative function, she never develops into a particularly memorable character in her own right. Lobo, despite Jason Momoa's undeniable charisma, often feels more like a crowd-pleasing cameo than an essential part of the story, popping in primarily to inject humour and elevate a handful of action sequences. Even Krem, who makes a strong first impression as a ruthless and intimidating antagonist, gradually loses his edge as the film progresses. The ingredients for compelling characters are all there, but very few of them are given the depth or screen time needed to truly flourish.
Watching Supergirl, I couldn't help but wonder if what many people call "superhero fatigue" is really just fatigue with formulaic storytelling. Too often, these films feel like they're more concerned with setting up the next adventure than telling a compelling story in the present. As a result, characters, themes, and emotional arcs can end up feeling underdeveloped, and unfortunately, Supergirl falls into that trap.
Even though James Gunn didn't direct the film, his creative influence is unmistakable. The humour, colourful space adventure, and quirky character interactions evoke Guardians of the Galaxy in ways that occasionally make the film feel overly familiar rather than distinct. While that style has undoubtedly been successful, it's beginning to lose some of its novelty. Personally, I appreciate superhero films that aren't afraid to embrace more serious or mature storytelling when the material calls for it. Humour certainly has its place, but here it often undercuts moments that could have carried far greater emotional weight.
Fortunately, the film fares much better on a technical level. Craig Gillespie directs with confidence, delivering a visually polished film that remains consistent in its tone, pacing, and editing throughout. The action is easy to follow, the visual effects are generally convincing, and the production design does a solid job of bringing the film's intergalactic settings to life. While none of these elements are particularly groundbreaking, they are all competently executed and help keep the film engaging, even when the story begins to lose momentum.
The cast also deserve credit for elevating the material they're given. Milly Alcock delivers a decent performance as Kara, successfully distinguishing this version of the character from Superman without ever feeling like she's trying to imitate David Corenswet's portrayal. The supporting cast perform their roles well, but they're ultimately held back by a script that never gives them enough depth to become truly memorable.
In the end, Supergirl is neither the triumph nor the disaster that some have made it out to be. It's a perfectly serviceable superhero film with a compelling lead, polished technical craftsmanship, and flashes of genuinely interesting ideas. Unfortunately, those ideas never develop into the emotionally resonant story they could have been. As the second chapter of James Gunn's new DC Universe, it doesn't build on the promise established by Superman as confidently as I had hoped.
Sadly, audiences didn't embrace it either. At the time of writing, Supergirl has grossed around $124 million worldwide against a reported $170–186 million production budget and is already set for a digital release on 28 July, followed by its physical release on 8 September.
While that likely means we'll be waiting a while for another standalone Supergirl film, I hope this isn't the last we see of Milly Alcock's Kara. There's a lot of potential in this interpretation of the character, and I'd love to see her return in a future Superman film or another DC project. She simply deserves a stronger story the next time she takes flight.
