One thing you have to come to terms with when it comes to modern superhero movies, is that they are never going to please everyone. Fine, I can live with that. But before most people had even seen Supergirl, parts of the Internet had already decided what the movie was.
That is how the process goes now. When a poster drops, the costume gets picked apart, the actress doesn’t match someone’s childhood headcanon (look it up). Suddenly, the movie is “trash,” the studio is doomed, and everyone involved has apparently ruined civilization. Except here’s the thing: “Supergirl” is not trash.
The movie isn’t perfect. It’s not the greatest superhero movie ever made. But it is also nowhere close to the disaster some angry fanboys seemed desperate for it to be. In fact, as far as modern DC movies go, Supergirl is actually quite good. Then again, these are many of the same “fans” who are propping up a garbage movie like Logan which makes no sense at all, yet it’s highly rated.
And that matters, because the loudest pre-release criticism didn’t feel like real criticism. It felt like insecurity dressed up as expertise. A lot of people seemed to judge the whole movie from a poster, facial expression, costume choice, or the fact that this Supergirl did not look exactly like the version they had already built in their heads. In Smallville, Supergirl was played by Laura Vandervoort who many consider to be the most dead gorgeous version of the character. But Laura Vandervoort aside, Milly Alcock is actually far more attractive than her movie poster and the follow-up “fan” backlash gives her credit for. Let’s call it what it is. It’s not valid film criticism. I’d say it’s more projection than anything else. These “fanboys” aren’t happy with themselves and perhaps the women they date, and they’re taking it out on Hollywood.
A Supergirl Story With Real Comic Book Weight Behind It
One of the reasons this movie works is that it’s not coming out of nowhere. It’s based on the eight issue mini-series “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” which is an acclaimed comic book story by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. That story is widely recognized as one of the best Supergirl stories ever told. It gives Kara Zor-El (Supergirl) her own identity, pain, anger, and singular journey. She’s not simply “Superman’s cousin” or a lighter version of an already famous hero. She steps out of Superman’s shadow and becomes the centre of her own story.
That is one of the smartest things this movie carries over. This version of Kara isn’t just a symbol of hope with blonde hair and a cape. She’s someone who has survived trauma, is older emotionally than she looks, and has seen things that Superman never had to experience in the same way. That difference gives the movie a stronger foundation than a simple superhero origin story.
Milly Alcock Gives Supergirl More Than Just Power
Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El is damaged, guarded, sarcastic, emotional, and sometimes messy. That makes sense for this version of the character. This is a Supergirl who has lived through trauma. She is not simply floating through the universe with perfect hair and a perfect smile. She carries loss with her, and the movie is at its best when it lets that pain show without over-explaining it.
The flashbacks are especially strong and I enjoyed their use. Not too long ago and not too short. They give just enough backstory to explain who Kara is and what she survived without stopping the movie cold. They also do a good job of separating her from Superman. He grew up on Earth with love, structure, and a relatively stable life. Kara’s life didn’t have that same clear, linear path. Her grief is older, heavier, and more complicated. That emotional difference is one of the things the movie gets right.
Yes, Supergirl Feels A Little Underpowered
One thing that did bother me is that Supergirl feels a little underpowered in several scenes. I get why. Movies need tension. If Kara uses every ability perfectly all the time, a lot of the story ends in three minutes. Still, there were moments where I found myself thinking, “Why isn’t she using her heat vision right now?” or “Why is this fight lasting this long?”
Supergirl should feel incredibly powerful. She doesn’t have to win every fight easily, but there were times when the movie seemed to pull her back a little too much for the sake of keeping the plot moving. I would have liked to see more heat vision and overwhelming strength, and more of that terrifying “do not mess with a Kryptonian” energy. The movie gives us some of that, but not as much as I would have enjoyed. I think it would have been a bit more satisfying but I can live without it, as it’s more of a minor frustration than a dealbreaker. The story the movie is telling requires Kara to struggle emotionally and physically. I just wish the balance had leaned a little more toward letting her cut loose more.
Jason Momoa’s Lobo Works
Jason Momoa as Lobo is one of the movie’s big wins. I have a personal connection to Lobo because I was into the character very early on. In the first years after Lobo started becoming a bigger deal in comics, I was buying and selling a lot of Lobo books. I was a huge fan. To me, he always felt like DC’s answer to Wolverine in a certain way: The tough guy, attitude, aggressive nature, swagger, and the outsider energy. Obviously, Lobo is his own thing. He is bigger, louder, more ridiculous, more cosmic, and far more over-the-top. But that same “don’t mess with this guy” appeal was always part of the attraction. Momoa understands that. He brings the right kind of physical presence and chaotic energy to the role. He looks like he belongs in that world. He has the size, the attitude, and the biker-from-hell vibe that Lobo needs.
My only personal preference is that I wish his voice had been a little deeper or rougher. Lobo, in my head, has a heavier, meaner, more gravelly sound. But overall, Momoa does a very good job. He is fun to watch, and he gives the movie a little jolt every time he shows up.
The Music Choice Works, Even If The Songs Didn’t Fully Hit For Me
The movie also makes a clear stylistic choice with its music, and I liked that it had a point of view. The soundtrack gives the film a certain offbeat, cosmic-road-trip energy. It helps separate Supergirl from the more generic superhero sound that a lot of comic book movies fall into.
Were all the songs my taste? Not really. Some of the specific choices were a bit meh for me. I wouldn’t say I loved the soundtrack as a playlist. It was no Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack but it can be forgiven. As a stylistic choice, it still worked. The music helped shape the mood of the movie, and I respect that. It felt intentional, not random. Even when a song did not completely land for me, I understood what the movie was trying to do.
The Movie Has A Darker Undercurrent Than Expected
For a superhero movie, Supergirl has some surprisingly dark material underneath the adventure. There is an undercurrent involving exploitation, abduction, and trafficking of girls that gives parts of the film a much harsher edge than people may expect. It makes the villainy feel uglier than the usual “bad guy wants power” routine. That darkness makes the movie feel a little more dangerous. It also makes Kara’s mission feel more emotionally grounded. She is not just fighting a random villain because the script needs one. She is moving through a universe where cruelty exists, people are used, innocent lives can be destroyed, and where justice isn’t always clean. This darker side is overshadowed by the rest of the movie, but it’s there. That gives the story added weight.
The Krypto Story Hits Harder Than Expected
The emotional core of the movie is Kara trying to save Krypto after he’s poisoned. On paper, that could sound simple. Maybe even silly. But it works. For anyone who has loved an animal, especially anyone who has recently gone through the grief of losing a pet, that part of the movie can hit home. The fear, urgency, helplessness, and refusal to give up are all familiar feelings. I wouldn’t trivialize it to the movie being about “Supergirl having to save her dog.” Rather, I’d emphasize that it’s about love, loyalty, panic, and grief.
Superhero movies often go bigger and bigger until the stakes become meaningless. The world is ending. The universe is collapsing. The multiverse is in danger. After a while, it all starts to feel abstract. But saving a beloved pet? That’s immediate, personal, and something people understand. Many in the audience will resonate with this aspect of the plot, more than universe-saving stories.
The Visuals Are Strong, And The Flashbacks Work
Visually, Supergirl is generally strong. The cosmic settings give the movie a different flavour from a standard Earth-based superhero story, and the film does a good job making Kara’s journey feel large without turning everything into empty CGI noise. The flashbacks are also handled well and I like that they don’t overstay their welcome. They explain Kara’s history, her loss, and her connection to Superman without drowning the movie in exposition. Viewers get enough information for people who don’t know the comics while still respecting the broader mythology. It’s not a full DC history lesson, and it doesn’t need to be.
Superman Is A Bit Too Dorky In One Scene
The one thing that did not fully work for me was Superman in the flashback where he comes across Kara after she lands on Earth. I understand the intention. This version of Superman is supposed to be kind, earnest, and maybe a little awkward. That’s part of his charm. But in that scene, he comes across a bit too dorky and almost too silly for the emotional weight of the moment. It’s not enough to ruin the scene, and the flashback still works overall. But I would have preferred a slightly more grounded Superman in that moment. Kara’s arrival is traumatic and strange. A little warmth is good. Too much goofy energy undercuts it.
The Fanboy Problem Is Getting Exhausting
The bigger issue around Supergirl is how some people decide these things about it before they even watch. There is a kind of fanboy culture now that seems less interested in movies than in winning an argument. These people want to be angry first and accurate later. They decide something is bad because it doesn’t flatter their nostalgia, politics, their version of a character, or their idea of what a superhero should look like. And then they call that an opinion.
But an opinion based on nothing isn’t making them out to be big brave, rebellious, independent thinkers they they think they’re being. I’d say it’s insecurity wearing a costume. Real criticism is fair. Supergirl has flaws. The movie could have made Kara feel more powerful, some scenes could have hit harder, and some choices won’t work for everyone. Yes, that’s all valid. But deciding a movie is garbage because of a poster or trailer, or because Supergirl doesn’t look like the version in your head isn’t valid criticism. It’s just noise.
Should You See Supergirl?
Yes. Go see it. Supergirl is a good movie. It’s not a masterpiece or the best DC movie ever. But it’s also nowhere near the failure some people wanted it to be. It has strong visuals, a solid emotional core, good flashbacks, an interesting musical style, a surprisingly moving Krypto storyline, and a very entertaining Jason Momoa as Lobo. Milly Alcock gives Kara enough edge and vulnerability to make this version of Supergirl feel distinct, and the movie does a good job giving her a story that is about more than just powers and punches.
Most importantly, it understands something essential from the “Woman of Tomorrow” comic book storyline. That is, Supergirl is not just Superman with a different costume. Kara has her own history to deal with and keep going. For DC, that is already a win. And for everyone who judged the movie before seeing it? Maybe next time, watch the movie first.
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