MOVIE OF THE WEEK (6/26/26): SUPERGIRL

"I'm only going to ask you this once ... Do I have something stuck in my teeth ... or my face?!" Kara-El (Milly Alcock) gets up close and personal with Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts) in a scene from director Craig Gillespie's SUPERGIRL. Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh © 2026 Warner Bros. Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. ™ and © DC.

CAST: Milly Adcock | Matthias Schoenaerts | Eve Ridley | David Corenswet | David Krumbholtz

WRITER: Ana Nogueira (screenplay) | Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster (characters)

DIRECTOR: Craig Gillespie

TRAILER:

 

THE STORY: Kara-El (Milly Alcock) is nothing like her Kryptonian cousin Kal-El, a.k.a. Clark Kent a.k.a. Superman (David Corenswet). Whereas Superman has adjusted well to his new home on Earth, Kara spends most of her time doing what she is doing in grand fashion for her 23rd birthday: Flying off to different planets with red suns that reduce her powers so she can get inebriated while her dog, Krypto, causes havoc being largely left to own devices. 

Problem is, the planet that Kara has decided to celebrate on is the same one where Krem of the Yellow Hills is busy kidnapping "brides' to continue this civilization's all-male race of warriors when he's not busy pillaging. This is exactly why Ruthie (Eve Ridley) is seeking revenge on Krem, even thought the only thing she really has at her disposal is a sword crafted by her father. As fate would have it, however, she just so happens to find herself at a at a local speakeasy where Kara is drowning the sorrows of her past trauma ... And Krem happens to eventually show up.  

What ensues is a journey that will cause Kara to face her destiny, Ruthie to learn the perils of revenge ... And the mysterious Lobo (Jason Momoa) to break a lot of glasses and smoke a lot of cigars.

THE REVIEW: Be honest – even the most diehard of modern DC Comics fans were likely surprised to hear that SUPERGIRL, the character first portrayed on the big screen by Helen Slater and later on TV by Melissa Benoist, would be the follow-up film to the first entry in James Gunn's reboot of the DC Cinematic Universe (DCCU). After all, with Peacemaker making waves on HBO and Superman garnering critical acclaim, it would be reasonable to think one of DC's bigger characters might get the second slot. 

However, with a film that brings a character arc that feels complete in bringing to life who she is and why she is the way she is, SUPERGIRL is not only a fitting entry into the new DCCU, but one that may provide the best glimpse yet of what may be to come.

Make no mistake, SUPERGIRL is a slow burn. At first, Alcock's character is anti-hero, and a very unlikable one as it seems all her problems are ones that are self made. But this is by design under director Craig Gillespie's attention, for in peeling away the layers, you not only begin to understand Kara, you also see how she is the polar opposite of her well-known cousin in every way - a fact which makes the character stand out more than she ever has before on screen. Kara's struggle – not always being nice, but always trying to do good – is the central story that drives the film, one that is much needed when it on its surface would have you believe it's just about a girl and her dog. Likewise, the integration of Ruthie's story fits well within the film's narrative, one which is less about a girl who is super and more about a person trying to overcome trauma and overcome substance abuse. That is what ultimately gives the film its humanity and emotional core, far more than any of its action sequences (the final one being one worthy of its titular character).

Now, some fans may be able to take or leave the inclusion of Lobo in the film – he's fine, but he's definitely not gonna make a name for himself like another fan favorite did in his modern Marvel debut. Likewise, Alcock's character is borderline unlikeable as well for the first 30 minutes of the film, making her more of a downer than someone to be inspired by. That may be by design, but it's not an easy, fun watch until it is. 

All things considered, SUPERGIRL may be the most in-depth big screen character coming of age story to date in DCCY history old or new; here's to hoping the next contestant can continue the trend instead of becoming its kryptonite.

RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):