‘Supergirl’ doesn’t live up to potential
I loved “Superman” (2025), and I was so excited for “Supergirl.” Milly Alcock is adorable and a great actress. She’s perfectly cast as Supergirl, aka Kara Zor-El. Her naughty pup, Krypto, is also adorable. They’re a spunky superhero duo! What’s not to love? Well, unfortunately there were multiple things about this movie that I did not love.
Don’t get me wrong – I didn’t hate it. It was entertaining, and it had its moments. But it could have been so much better! For starters, Kara is not a great role model for young girls, which is fine, but if you are thinking this is a cute movie to take your little girl to see, you might be disappointed to find out that Kara is less of a fun party girl and more of a full-blown alcoholic. I actually don’t mind this being part of the story except that they don’t really address her addiction in a meaningful way.
There is also lots of violence, and I know that’s par for the course, but I’m talking about massacres of whole families by space pirates who also abduct and imprison teen girls to be their “brides.” It isn’t the most feel-good, family-friendly summer flick, is what I’m saying. (And “Supergirl” doesn’t address human trafficking in any meaningful way either.)
Having said that, I am going to give a lot more spoilers after the following photo, so if you don’t want the movie spoiled, come back later.
I am sad to be giving this film a somewhat negative review, because I really, really wanted to love it. Women-centered films are often unfairly criticized, even before they’ve been released. Like “The Marvels” (2023) there was some anti-women hatred aimed at “Supergirl,” picking on Alcock’s appearance, of all things. There’s nothing wrong with her appearance of course. My issues with the movie are its plot holes and lack of originality.
My first gripe is with the origin story of Clark’s cousin. In “Superman,” we found out Clark’s birth parents were sort of evil and wanted their son to conquer Earth and to rule “without mercy.” Luckily, he didn’t get the memo because their message was cut off, so he became a good guy instead.
Now we are told Kara’s parents were awesome and told her to be a good person! Maybe there was a good brother and a bad brother, and Supergirl’s dad was the good one? That’s possible, but they don’t go into that. We are left to puzzle over it. (I know there’s a theory that the “Go conquer Earth” message translation in “Superman” was a lie, but there’s a line in “Supergirl” about Kal-El being sent off to be a conqueror, and anyway one would think Kara would be able to clear up any doubt, as she speaks fluent Kryptonian.)
It’s hard not to compare the two superheroes. The story and plot in “Superman” felt fresh and original, and also timely. But “Supergirl” felt like a mashup of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Mad Max: Fury Road.” And not in a good way.
The villains and the fight scenes were sort of boring, Supergirl’s sidekick, Ruthye, was one-dimensional. Her sworn-to-avenge-her-family storyline was very “My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.” And as much as I love Jason Momoa, his character Lobo was extraneous. He could have been removed, and it wouldn’t change the story.
How did all of this pass the first-draft stage? I suspect movie makers don’t expect women superheroes to bring in the big box-office bucks, so they invest less effort in these films. Then when the movies do poorly, they can say, “See we told you, audiences don’t want women superheroes!” (Script writers and directors should study 2017’s “Wonder Woman.” The Patty Jenkins-directed film proved that we can have women superhero movies that don’t suck!)
Another issue I have with “Supergirl” is that, while Kara does help Ruthye and the other kidnapped girls, there’s no follow-up for the girls after they’re freed, because Kara’s main concern is her dog, left paralyzed by the brigands. Krypto spends most of the movie on a doctor’s table, waiting for the heroes to find him a cure, just like Rocket in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
Maybe I’m being unfair. Kara is younger than Clark, so it makes sense that she’s more immature and self-centered. She also has had childhood trauma which she’s still working out. It’s possible the writers are planning more growth for her in a future film.
I did love seeing Kara and her puppy meeting for the first time, and going to Earth, meeting Superman. Her flaws (and that space scream!) are relatable. I will re-watch the movie. Like I said, I didn’t hate it. But Alcock deserves a better script. (Another note to writers: If you want us to take women superhero movies seriously, don’t use cringey songs like “The Middle.”) I’m holding out hope Alcock will get to play Supergirl again and have a better story the next time around.
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Earth to Shawna 