Supergirl Review – A Fun Cosmic Adventure That Never Quite Takes Off
This is one of those films I was approaching with pretty tempered expectations. Coming off last summer's Superman, Supergirl arrives in theaters this week as the sophomore outing for the newly revamped DC Studios. Milly Alcock stars as Kara Zor-El, Superman's not-so-close cousin. In the film, Kara finds herself on a path of vengeance when a ruthless adversary strikes far too close to home. Forced to team up with an unlikely companion, she embarks on an interstellar journey in search of justice. On paper, it sounds like a story we've seen countless times before. After leaving the theater, my biggest takeaway from Supergirl is that it's honestly an entertaining movie. Unfortunately, while it's entertaining, it never quite evolves into something truly special. Let’s talk about why.
The easiest way to describe Supergirl is as a blend of the cosmic weirdness and offbeat humor of Guardians of the Galaxy with the chaotic, wasteland energy of Mad Max. On paper, that sounds like a winning combination, and at times it absolutely is. The film's biggest problem, however, is that it never fully commits to either side of that equation. There are moments when it embraces the strange worlds, eccentric characters, and adventure that make those films so memorable, and those sequences are easily among the strongest in the movie. In fact, whenever Supergirl leans into that wild, unpredictable energy, it feels like it's on the verge of becoming something truly unique.
Unfortunately, those moments are often fleeting. Rather than fully embracing its more ambitious ideas, the film seems caught between different tones and styles, resulting in a final product that never quite finds its own identity. It's not that the combination doesn't work - it's that the movie never pushes it far enough. That said, world-building is one of the film's greatest strengths. Much like Guardians of the Galaxy and Mad Max, Supergirl creates a universe that feels lived-in, strange, and visually distinct. The locations, creatures, and supporting characters give the film a sense of scale and personality that keeps it engaging even when the story struggles to keep pace. There's a fascinating universe here, and at times it's far more interesting than the narrative driving it forward.
Milly Alcock does a solid job stepping into the role of Supergirl. I’ve been rooting for her since I saw her for the first time in the hit series House of the Dragon and I was excited when she was cast in this role. She brings the right amount of attitude, vulnerability, and determination to the character, making her easy to root for throughout the film. While the script doesn't always give her the strongest material to work with, Alcock proves she's more than capable of carrying a major DC film. I feel like if she plans to stick around for a while, we are going to get some solid moments with her in the near future.
However, that also leads into one of my biggest issues with the film. While Milly Alcock does a solid job capturing Kara's rebellious and often reckless attitude, the movie never fully explores why she is the way she is. Unlike Kal-El, who was sent to Earth as an infant and grew up knowing only his adopted home, Kara remembers Krypton. She watched her world die. She witnessed the collapse of an entire civilization and lost everyone she ever knew before being forced into exile. That's an incredibly tragic foundation for a character and one that naturally separates her from Superman in a meaningful way.
The film does touch on this trauma, and there are brief moments that flash back to Krypton's destruction and the horrors Kara experienced. Unfortunately, those scenes feel more like glimpses than fully realized emotional beats. Rather than allowing the audience to sit with that pain and better understand how it continues to shape Kara, the film quickly moves on to the next plot point. As a result, some of the emotional weight feels underdeveloped. The pieces are all there for a much deeper character study, but the movie never fully commits to exploring them. In many ways, it feels as though the film is rushing through some of its most important moments in an effort to keep the story moving. Those scenes are where I found myself wanting more—more time with Kara, more insight into her loss, and more of an emotional connection to the trauma that defines her journey.
It's in those moments where the film's pacing becomes most noticeable. Several key character beats feel abbreviated, almost as if additional material was left on the cutting room floor to keep the runtime lean. Whether that's actually the case or not, that's certainly how it feels while watching the film, and I think Supergirl would have benefited from slowing down and allowing those emotional moments to breathe.
Outside of Milly Alcock, who once again does a great job as Kara, the real standout for me is Jason Momoa as Lobo. Quite simply, this is the role he was born to play. Momoa's natural charisma makes him a perfect fit for the character, and he fully embraces Lobo's larger-than-life personality. He delivers some of the film's funniest moments, most memorable lines, and several of its standout scenes. Even with a relatively limited amount of screen time, he leaves a strong impression whenever he appears.
That said, I wasn't completely sold on every aspect of the character's execution. While Lobo's action sequences are entertaining, the editing often makes them feel choppy and disjointed, preventing some of the fights from having the impact they should. It's one of several instances throughout the film where the editing works against what is happening on screen. Even so, I think this is an incredibly promising introduction to the character. Lobo feels like the kind of character who could become even better as DC's new universe continues to develop. Momoa clearly understands who this character is, and it feels like there's still plenty of room for him to grow into the role.
Unfortunately, the movie begins to lose momentum whenever it shifts focus back to the central story. The biggest weakness of Supergirl is its script. While the film introduces interesting ideas and concepts, it never fully develops them. The emotional beats don't always land with the impact they should, and several plot points feel rushed or underexplored. There's enough here to keep the audience engaged, but not enough to leave a lasting impression.
As stated above, the editing also creates some noticeable issues. Certain scenes feel cut together in a way that disrupts the pacing, making transitions between moments feel abrupt and occasionally disjointed. There are stretches where the film seems to be moving too quickly, preventing important character moments from having the time they need to breathe.
Then there's Krem, who unfortunately ranks among the weakest villains I've seen in a superhero film in recent years. This has nothing to do with the performance by Matthias Schoenaerts. He does fine with the material he is given, but a great superhero movie often needs a compelling antagonist to challenge its hero, and Krem never feels particularly threatening, memorable, or interesting. I’m talking bare bone. We find out absolutely nothing about him at all. The character largely serves the plot rather than elevating it, which is a major missed opportunity.
One thing that surprised me the most, was the audience reaction - or lack thereof. There are several moments involving both Lobo and Supergirl that feel designed to generate cheers, laughter, or some kind of crowd response, yet my theater remained strangely quiet. Whether that's a reflection of the material itself or simply the crowd I saw it with, I'm not entirely sure, but there were definitely moments that felt like they should have landed much bigger than they did
Despite its flaws, Supergirl remains an enjoyable watch. Strong performances, an entertaining cosmic setting, and Jason Momoa's scene-stealing turn as Lobo make it easy to have fun with. However, a thin story, uneven editing, and a forgettable villain keep it from reaching its full potential. In the end, Supergirl is a good time at the movies - just not one that's likely to stick with me long after the credits roll.
Rating:
★★⯪☆☆ (2.5/5)
Supergirl hits theaters this Friday, June 26.
Disclaimer: All images used in this review are © Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios and are included for review, commentary, and editorial purposes only.
