It’s been just under a year since James Gunn’s “Superman” reboot launched the DCU, and now we’re getting another major addition to the franchise, this time centred on the iconic heroine Supergirl. Starring “House of the Dragon” breakout Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, the film is heavily based on the critically acclaimed 2021 eight-issue comic miniseries "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow." Moving away from the traditional Earth-bound superhero formula, the movie launches the character into a rugged, cosmic road trip across the stars.
Tom's Guide Verdict: 'Supergirl'
- Rating: 3.5/5 stars
- Verdict: A chaotic, space-faring Supergirl adventure that echoes “Guardians of the Galaxy” in tone but carves its own rougher path. Despite weak CGI and a rushed, undercooked story, Kara’s emotionally grounded journey delivers surprising heart, driven by trauma, teamwork, and a desperate mission to save Krypto.
- Where to watch: "Supergirl" drops in theaters on June 26
“Supergirl” has been one of the most anticipated movies of the summer. James Gunn has noted that Ana Nogueira’s script was so strong that it jumped ahead of other DC projects in development, which immediately raised expectations ahead of its release. After seeing the trailer, I also picked up clear “Guardians of the Galaxy” vibes. And then there’s Krypto, the super-powered canine companion who brings both heart and comic relief to Kara’s rugged space journey. There are a lot of interesting components here worth getting excited about.
Having attended an early screening of “Supergirl,” it's obvious the studio is playing it relatively safe with this one. Still, a lack of massive risks isn’t always an issue when the final product is this much fun. But that doesn’t mean “Supergirl” is flawless.
‘Supergirl’ delivers a space-faring twist on the superhero origin
One thing I was most looking forward to in “Supergirl” is how much it reminded me of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” as a cosmic space adventure that leans away from shiny, pristine sci-fi. The film opens inside Kara’s messy spaceship, with Krypto being his usual chaotic self, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake (including peeing on a newspaper about Clark Kent), before waking up a very hungover Kara. The opening makes it clear she’s using her birthday week as an excuse to drink, rather than confronting her heavy dose of trauma.
“Supergirl” doesn’t waste time introducing Ruthye (Eve Ridley), a revenge-driven young girl who is determined to kill space pirate Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts) after he commits brutal violence against her family. When Ruthye tracks down a vacationing, heavily intoxicated Supergirl to ask for help, Krem ambushes them and shoots Krypto with a poisoned arrow before fleeing into deep space. To save Krypto’s life, Kara and Ruthye are forced to team up and pursue Krem across the galaxy, uncovering the horrific trail of destruction and human trafficking he leaves behind.
I’m genuinely thankful that “Supergirl” runs at under two hours. Its shorter runtime, compared to most superhero movies, means it gets straight into the action of Kara stopping at nothing to save her dog, while confronting her own trauma along the way. The action sequences are some of the strongest parts of the film, as Supergirl grows stronger each time she’s exposed to a yellow sun, battling space pirates and taking out groups of them in fun, slow-motion scenes backed by funky music. In between the action, there are also heartfelt moments between Kara and Ruthye as they reminisce on her past, including how she was sent to Earth and met Clark, with David Corenswet returning for a few scenes.
“Supergirl” ends up being a fun space adventure built around Kara’s desire to do good and protect vulnerable people from systemic cruelty. It certainly shares similarities with “Guardians of the Galaxy,” though it doesn’t fully capture the same charm or polish. The film does suffer from some weak CGI, particularly in scenes where Kara is hovering in the sky. There’s also a sense that Kara’s story is undercooked, with parts of the narrative feeling rushed and slightly hollow as a result. Still, it’s likely the DCU will give Supergirl more depth in upcoming films, and for a story about a superhero saving her dog, it’s a surprisingly strong emotional ride.
Verdict: ‘Supergirl’ might surprise you
Ultimately, “Supergirl” delivers exactly what a superhero movie should: It's an incredibly fun time. It connects Kara to her cousin, Clark, setting up an exciting future for their relationship in the broader DCU. Milly Alcock is also perfect in the role, managing to balance Kara’s hardened exterior with a dry sense of humor that grounds the epic scale.
While the physical production design shines (with the retro-styled alien bars standing out as visual highlights), the film isn't without its flaws. The CGI proves a bit distracting, and the script leaves you wishing it had expanded even further into Kara’s rich backstory. It also underutilizes its supporting cast; Jason Momoa’s Lobo wasn't in the film nearly as much as I thought he'd be, to the point where he was a character I forgot about most of the time. Still, it is incredibly refreshing to experience a superhero blockbuster that’s set entirely in the cosmic deep, away from Earth.
While I think “Superman” is a better quality movie in terms of its story and direction, “Supergirl” ends up being a bold, entertaining step forward for the franchise that leaves you eager for more.
"Supergirl" is in theaters on June 26
