DC Studios’ new film “Supergirl” finds its kryptonite in its inability to keep the titular hero at the center of her own story.
Written by Ana Nogueira and directed by Craig Gillespie, the newest film in the DC Universe landed in theaters Friday. The movie begins away from Earth as Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), also known as Supergirl, celebrates her 23rd birthday through a galaxy-wide pub crawl. However, her laid-back lifestyle is put on hold after Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts), the film’s villain, murders the family of Ruthye (Eve Ridley), a young warrior of the Dynastia clans who enlists the help of Supergirl. Together, they embark on a revenge-driven mission. In pursuit of Krem, who paralyzed Supergirl’s beloved dog Krypto, the duo set out on an intergalactic adventure. Ultimately, the film serves as a decent addition to the DC Extended Universe but an underwhelming introduction to the iconic superhero.
“Supergirl” has several strong elements that allow the film to take flight, such as Alcock’s transformative portrayal of the superheroine. Gillespie’s direction provides a new perspective on the character by depicting her as more reckless and headstrong than her cousin, Superman. Alcock does a wonderful job embodying these qualities through her line delivery. In addition to Supergirl, the film brings other comic book characters to life through amazing actor portrayals. For example, Jason Momoa, known for his role as Aquaman, plays Lobo – an intergalactic mercenary and bounty hunter – and adds a chaotic yet charismatic essence to the film’s ensemble.
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Beyond its performances, the film also excels in its technical work. The cinematography of “Supergirl” complements the plot, as it captures both the size of the journey and the characters’ emotional depth, deftly shifting from intergalactic landscapes to up-close character shots. These visual choices pair well with the polished visual effects, especially during the film’s flight and combat sequences, where Supergirl’s abilities are put on full display with striking fluidity and scale.
Although the film is superb in its casting and visuals, “Supergirl” falls short due to its narrative imbalance. While Kara is physically present throughout the majority of the film, she is not the focus of it. The story is propelled by Ruthye’s revenge plot against Krem, which leaves Supergirl serving as a sidekick rather than the film’s true emotional center. As a result, the film frequently returns to the same conversation – Ruthye’s desire for vengeance, which fails to make significant progress until the film’s final moments. This dynamic creates a recurring unevenness, where Supergirl’s personal journey is present but not prioritized. Although the film hints at Kara’s internal conflict and growth through flashbacks and cutscenes, these elements are frequently overshadowed by the broader adventure unfolding around her. She often serves more as a plot device progressing Ruthye’s story instead of her own, which ultimately weakens her impact in the film and the significance of her introduction within the greater DC Extended Universe.
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At first glance, Kara does experience an emotional arc over the course of the film, as she shifts from a carefree young adult who avoids the responsibilities of her identity into someone who embraces her past and abilities. First, she is defined by avoidance, distancing herself from her connection to Earth both physically and emotionally, as she ignores calls from her cousin Superman. By the film’s end, however, she decides to return to Earth and live with him. This decision of acceptance feels more like a rushed narrative decision than an emotionally resonant result.
Kara also never truly eases into her role as Supergirl on screen – it just happens. She goes from saying, “It’s just a suit” to suddenly wearing it and flying through the skies in the next scene, and until that moment, the film rarely feels like a true Supergirl movie. Key moments of her growth are often cut short, which limits the impact of her overall character arc, making her story feel more like a subplot – yet another reason for the film’s limited impact.
Despite the strong performances and aesthetically pleasing technical elements, “Supergirl” falls short as the cinematic introduction to the Girl of Steel [CQ 8 see notable aliasok], as it prioritizes all but its titular character.
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