When James Gunn announced that Supergirl would be inspired by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, expectations were understandably high.
The comic is well-known as one of the best modern Supergirl stories, offering a darker, more emotionally mature take on Kara Zor-El.
The film captures parts of that spirit, but it never fully reaches the emotional or cinematic heights that fans were hoping for.
Story
Unlike Superman, Kara isn’t portrayed as the hopeful symbol of optimism. She is broken, angry, and haunted by the destruction of Krypton.
When a young girl named Ruthye seeks her help to hunt down the man responsible for her father’s death, Kara reluctantly joins a revenge-fueled journey across the galaxy.
It’s a refreshing premise for a DC film. Instead of another “save the world” storyline, Supergirl is more focused on loss, trauma, and the difficult choice between revenge and justice.
The problem is that the execution doesn’t always live up to the concept. The movie moves from one planet to another without giving enough time for the emotional moments to breathe.
Several important scenes are rushed, making it difficult to connect with the characters beyond the surface. While the film aims to be a character study, it often gets distracted by side adventures and comic relief.
Milly Alcock Steals the Movie
The biggest reason Supergirl works at all is Milly Alcock. She delivers a genuinely compelling performance, making Kara feel vulnerable, exhausted, and emotionally scarred rather than simply being “female Superman.”
Alcock handles both the quieter emotional scenes and the action sequences with confidence, proving she was the right casting choice for the new DC Universe.
Whenever she’s on screen, the film has purpose. Unfortunately, the script doesn’t always give her enough material to fully explore Kara’s emotional journey.
Ruthye Is the Emotional Core
Eve Ridley also deserves credit. Ruthye isn’t just another sidekick; she’s the heart of the movie. Her relationship with Kara slowly develops into something meaningful, and many of the film’s strongest scenes come from their conversations rather than its action.
Their dynamic gives the movie genuine emotional weight, even when the pacing becomes inconsistent.
Action Looks Good but Rarely Feels Exciting
Visually, Supergirl is impressive. Craig Gillespie creates several beautiful alien worlds, and the space-western aesthetic gives the film an identity that separates it from most recent superhero movies.
The cinematography and production design are among the film’s biggest strengths. However, the action itself is surprisingly forgettable.
There are a few excellent fight sequences, but most of the battles lack creativity and urgency.
For a character with Superman-level abilities, many of the action scenes feel oddly restrained. The visual effects are generally solid, though not groundbreaking.
Tonal Problems Hold It Back
One of the biggest issues is the movie’s tone.
It constantly shifts between dark revenge drama, emotional character study, quirky comedy, and cosmic adventure. Sometimes those transitions work, but often they don’t.
The humor feels forced in places, interrupting moments that should carry emotional weight.
The influence of James Gunn is obvious, but unlike Guardians of the Galaxy or last year’s Superman, the balance between comedy and drama never quite comes together. These tonal inconsistencies are one of the film’s main weaknesses.
Supporting Cast
Matthias Schoenaerts delivers a competent villain, but Krem never becomes particularly memorable. He’s threatening enough for the story, yet lacks the depth needed to become one of DC’s standout antagonists.
Jason Momoa’s appearance as Lobo will likely excite fans, but it feels more like a setup for future DC projects than an essential part of this movie. While entertaining, his role doesn’t significantly improve the overall story.
Final Verdict
Supergirl is far from a bad movie, but it’s also not the major leap forward many hoped it would be for the new DC Universe.
The performances, especially Milly Alcock’s, are excellent, the visuals are beautiful, and the emotional foundation is solid.
Unfortunately, uneven pacing, tonal inconsistency, and a script that never fully commits to its strongest ideas keep the film from becoming something truly memorable.
This isn’t another superhero disaster, but neither is it an instant classic. It’s a decent, occasionally very good film that falls just short of greatness.
Comic fans may struggle to appreciate what feels like a half-baked adaptation of a beloved story, while casual audiences will probably enjoy the spectacle without finding much that stays with them after the credits roll.
TechGamesNews Rating: 6.5/10
