The release of Supergirl is nearly upon us, and the first reactions have begun to emerge. Many fans have been unsure what to make of this one, but it doesn’t sound like the disaster some have been proclaiming it to be. In fact, it seems that most who saw the film were surprised at how much they liked it. Milly Alcock received plenty of praise for her performance, as did Jason Momoa, who is having a great time as Lobo. Many also highlighted its strong Mad Max influence, which ain’t a bad thing in my book.
However, it wasn’t entirely positive, as nearly everyone, whether they liked the film or not, noted the weak villain. Others found it to be a mixed bag that didn’t quite reach the heights of Superman.
Mike Ryan said, “Supergirl is not at all what I was expecting. I, too, assumed ‘superhero space movie with needle drops’ would have a similar tone to GOTG or even Superman. Instead it looks and plays more like a Mad Max movie, with dirty worlds, gross villains and a self destructive hero.“
Brandon Davis added, “Supergirl soars at times through a scattered adventure at its best in moments of touching dialogue. Kara’s arc payoff could’ve benefited from better story structure but Milly Alcock is great. Wanted to love it, liked it. Practical elements & Lobo are standouts!“
“Supergirl is highly enjoyable,” Germain Lussier said. “It doesn’t quite have the resonance of Superman, but it acts as both a perfect companion and follow-up to that movie with better characters and more complex relationships. It’s also incredibly emotional, which makes the action hit even harder.“
Rachel Leishman said, “Supergirl is everything I wanted it to be. Girls can be messy and that rules! Kara isn’t her cousin and I really loved how this movie makes that clear. She’s a different kind of hero and perfect in every way.“
Peter Gray said, “Supergirl channels the energy of Gunn’s Superman while carving out its own identity. Surprisingly dark themes, Mad Max vibes, and a John Wick-style motivation drive the story. Milly Alcock shines, and Jason Momoa brings his trademark chaotic charm.“
“Supergirl isn’t a classic but it’s pacey fun and hits most of the targets it aims for,” said Simon Thompson. “Milly Alcock is great as the titular heroine and Momoa’s Lobo is a blast. Other big wins are the action, humor and when it leans into physical production.“
“If you threw GOTG, True Grit, and Mad Max into a DC blender, you’d get Supergirl – a grimy, funny, yet surprisingly somber space adventure. Milly shines, especially when we get into Kara’s tragic backstory, but Jason Momoa is having the fraggin’ time of his life as Lobo,” said Chris Killian. “I also want to highlight the practical effects. The design, makeup, and puppetry are all Oscar-level good. Krypton looks incredible. And my goodness does this movie solidify what peak casting David Corenswet is as Supes. Every time he’s on screen, you can’t help but smile.“
Tessa Smith found Supergirl to be “a mixed bag for me. As a fan of the comic, I was (perhaps) overly excited for the film adaptation. While Jason Momoa’s Lobo & Milly Alcock shine, some adaptation choices and a bland villain keep it from greatness. It’s, simply put, just fine.“
Will-iam Smith said, “Supergirl is a stronger crowd-pleaser than Superman (2025). More action, more heart, and a clear Infinity War/Guardians influence. Craig Gillespie brings some genuinely beautiful visuals to the DCU, Jason Momoa’s Lobo is an instant standout, and Milly Alcock proves she can carry the future of the franchise. The weakest part is the villain, who never feels as memorable as the heroes or the spectacle surrounding them. The only problem? It feels like the kind of superhero movie that would’ve blown everyone’s minds in 2017.“
These types of first reactions are usually overly positive, so we’ll have to see how the film fares once it hits theaters on June 26.
Directed by Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, the upcoming film is based on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the comic series written by Tom King and illustrated by Bilquis Evely. After her father is murdered and the one responsible is still out there, a young alien girl named Ruthye Marye Knoll seeks out Supergirl to help her on a vicious mission. She wants revenge, and if Supergirl doesn’t help her, she’ll do it herself, whatever the cost.
Supergirl stars Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) as Kara Zor-El, alongside Eve Ridley (3 Body Problem) as Ruthye, Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone) as Krem of the Yellow Hill, David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer) as Zor-El, Emily Beecham (1899) as Alura, and Jason Momoa as Lobo, a role he has longed to play for years.