Supergirl

 ## **Review: *Supergirl* – A Scrappy, Flawed, But Refreshing Space-Western**

When DC Studios staked its claim on a cinematic universe reboot, positioning *Supergirl* as its second major tentpole—loosely adapting Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s acclaimed comic run, *Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow*—it promised a distinct departure from the standard "Superman with a skirt" trope. Directed by Craig Gillespie (*I, Tonya*, *Cruella*), the film leans hard into a gritty, cosmic road-trip vibe.

The result is a frustratingly uneven movie, but one whose bold swings make it difficult to completely dismiss.

### **The Good: Milly Alcock and the Space-Western Vibe**

By far the strongest asset of the film is **Milly Alcock** as Kara Zor-El. Eschewing the wholesome, optimistic lens typically worn by her cousin Clark Kent, Alcock portrays Kara as a raw, traumatized survivor. Having watched the literal pieces of her home world slip away while growing up on a drifting fragment of Krypton, this version of Supergirl is a reluctant, hard-drinking, cynical drifter.

Alcock brings an infectious, crass energy to the role that elevates a surprisingly thin script. Her scrappy, imperfect fighting style stands in sharp, intentional contrast to David Corenswet’s pristine, classic Superman (who pops in via flashbacks and brief present-day check-ins).

Visually, the film also deserves praise for its texture. Gillespie opts for tactile, grimy practical effects, imaginative alien creature designs, and a dusty, *Mad Max*-meets-*True Grit* aesthetic that sets it completely apart from the clean digital sheen of modern blockbusters.

### **The Bad: A Clunky Narrative and Underutilized Cast**

Unfortunately, *Supergirl* struggles structurally under the weight of its own ambitions.

While the source material is an introspective, sweeping interstellar journey of grief and justice, the film compresses those thematic elements into a somewhat cliché bounty-and-revenge framework. The narrative frequently trips over its own pacing, caught between trying to be a deeply emotional character study on trauma and a quippy, action-heavy space adventure.

Furthermore, the supporting ensemble—including Jason Momoa’s chaotic, scene-stealing Lobo and Matthias Schoenaerts’ villainous Krem—suffer from "glorified cameo" syndrome. They look fantastic on screen, but they are rushed through the plot without enough room to breathe, making parts of the movie feel like a disjointed highlight reel of cosmic set-pieces.

### **The Verdict**

*Supergirl* is a messy ride, but it's an interesting kind of messy. It stumbles on a technical and narrative level, never quite maximizing the grand storytelling potential of its lead character.

Yet, because it refuses to play things safe and gives its heroine genuine flaws, jagged edges, and a distinct identity, it carves out an off-beat charm. It’s ultimately a disposable blockbuster, but Alcock’s fierce performance and the film's gritty aesthetic make it worth a watch for anyone curious about where the new DC universe is heading.

4/5