By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
Rating: **
out of ****
Running Time: 108 minutes
This feature film from Warner Bros. opens exclusively in theaters and on IMAX screens on Friday, June 26.
Between Marvel and DC, Hollywood just keeps on cranking out more movies based on popular comic book characters. I’m certain I’ve complained about superhero fatigue before, but that isn’t stopping studios from continuing to produce more titles. The latest release is from a new set of DC films that began with Superman in 2025 (apparently, a few earlier movies might fit in with this revision of the DC world, but exactly what is still up in the air). The newest effort is Supergirl, which at least highlights a character that hasn’t been depicted onscreen since 1984.
As the title suggests, this tale focuses on the younger cousin of Superman (David Corenswet). In various flashbacks, viewers learn that Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock) is another survivor of the doomed planet Krypton who was jettisoned to Earth before its destruction.
Despite being welcomed by Superman, the superpowered young woman is still dealing with the trauma of losing her family and home planet. In fact, as the story begins, Supergirl largely spends her time partying in other universes with her pet dog, Krypto.
While letting loose on a faraway world, she encounters Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley). As it happens, the girl’s family has been killed by the Brigands, a violent gang of space pirates and traffickers led by Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts). When Krem steals Supergirl’s ship and poisons Krypto, the pair decide to hunt the Brigands down for revenge and an antidote. As they follow the trail, they also encounter the gruff alien bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa).
It’s a very simple story, with the two leads traveling and hunting down the bad guys. Of course, along the way they do slowly open up about and try to deal with their horrible pasts. At least the trauma is interesting and one can relate to Supergirl’s fondness towards Krypto, one of the last remaining remnants from her past life. Still, that is about all that is going on within this tale.
The only other subplot involves the introduction of Lobo, another noteworthy character from the DC universe. Thankfully, his appearance adds some life and humor to the story. Momoa is well-suited to the part, and the film nicely contrasts his gruff and blunt delivery when he converses with the surprisingly skillful and revenge-obsessed little child.
But other aspects of the picture are very uneven. Not unlike the previous Superman release, there is a hectic pace and choppiness to the proceedings.
The storytellers rush through a few bits early on with montages. Later on, a major character disappears for a significant period of time. When they are suddenly reintroduced, viewers will ask how this individual managed to locate their friends. For the sake of drama, the screenplay is also desperate to diminish its protagonist’s powers, and does it so frequently that the character’s abilities at several moments start to become confusing. All of this jumpiness makes one think that there was much more material shot than what actually appears in the final cut.
And though a few moments with Lobo, as well as a line or two from the main protagonist hit the mark, the majority of other attempts at laughs land with a thud. Even the action itself is hit-and-miss. Early fights come across as a bit clunky and could have used more finessing in the editing room. But a shot here and there does impress, including a lengthy (and digitally enhanced) master of Supergirl taking down a number of villains in the main square of a dusty alien city. And the climax, set atop a floating barge, also offers a few impressive moments.
In the end, the film offers a few decent thrills and brings attention to superheroes who have previously been pushed well into the background. Forgiving DC enthusiasts will likely give it a pass, but this is far from an exceptional comic book adaptation. Its slight and at times overly familiar story, along with a bumpy, uneven pace, and scattershot gags, ultimately weigh things down. Alas, Supergirl never really flies as high as it should.
Note: While it’s often anticipated at these types of pictures, during the credits at my press screening, there were no extra scenes or teasers of future events in the franchise.
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