The new Supergirl movie has landed in theaters, and the buzz is all about one thing: Milly Alcock’s performance. The House of the Dragon star steps into the role of Kara Zor-El, bringing a fresh, messy, and deeply human take on the Kryptonian hero. While critics agree that Alcock is a standout, the film itself is getting mixed reviews for its uneven story and missed potential.
The movie, directed by Craig Gillespie, is the second big release in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. It follows Kara on an intergalactic journey for revenge and justice. The early reactions praise Alcock’s ability to show the character’s grief and snarky attitude. However, many say the film’s writing and direction don’t always match her powerful performance.
Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El Brings Grief and Grit
Milly Alcock is widely considered the best part of Supergirl. Her Kara isn’t the hopeful and optimistic hero like her cousin Superman. Instead, she’s a hard-drinking, emotionally scarred young woman trying to outrun the pain of losing her home planet, Krypton.
Reviewers note that Alcock captures Kara’s complexity perfectly. She plays the character with a restless energy, showing moments of deep sadness, anger, and even a bit of humor. The Australian actor makes Kara feel grounded despite her superpowers, never letting the role become a one-note character.
Milly Alcock is excellent. She quips, scowls, punches, flies and carries great depth and pain. She is particularly great in those scenes with emotional heft, because she is so effective at pathos without histrionics.
Her performance is so strong that it often makes the film’s weaker moments more watchable. For many critics, Alcock successfully separates her Supergirl from the shadow of Superman, giving the character a distinct and interesting identity.
A Space Western with Superpowers
The plot of Supergirl is a space western. Kara crosses paths with a young girl named Ruthye, played by Eve Ridley, who is seeking revenge against the mercenary Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts) for killing her family. Initially not wanting to help, Kara is forced into action when Krem poisons her beloved dog, Krypto. With only 72 hours to find the antidote, she and Ruthye travel across the galaxy, visiting various planets with different effects on Kara’s powers.
The film is often compared to True Grit and Mad Max for its tone and dusty, grimy visuals. Some critics appreciate this style, finding it gives the DC Universe a welcome sense of personality. Others feel it makes the film look dull and generic, especially compared to the vibrant colors of the comic book it’s based on, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
Why the Movie Struggles to Soar
Despite Alcock’s strong performance, Supergirl faces several problems. The main criticism is the film’s inconsistent tone and weak villain. The movie seems unsure if it wants to be a dark revenge tale, a quirky space opera, or a coming-of-age drama. This lack of focus hurts the pacing and emotional impact of the story.
Krem, the main antagonist, is often described as one-note and forgettable. Many reviewers wished the film had given him more backstory and motivation to make him a more compelling threat.
Another major point of criticism is the inclusion of Jason Momoa’s character, Lobo. While Momoa is seen as perfect casting for the role, his appearance feels pointless. His scenes add little to the main story and can even distract from the main characters.
Several critics also mention the action scenes are hard to follow due to choppy editing and a lot of dust and dirt filling the screen. The film’s focus on a revenge plot also takes away from Kara’s own journey, making her feel like a passenger in her own movie at times.
The Comic Book Comparison
The movie is an adaptation of the acclaimed comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King. Many fans of the comic feel the movie fails to capture what made the source material special.
One of the biggest changes is shifting the perspective from Ruthye to Kara. In the comic, seeing Kara through Ruthye’s eyes makes her actions more heroic and mysterious. By centering the movie on Kara, it loses some of that magic. Another major disappointment for some is the removal of fantastical elements like the magic horse Comet, replaced with a more “edgy” and generic sci-fi feel.
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Final Verdict on Supergirl
So, is Supergirl worth watching? For most reviewers, the answer is yes, but only because of Milly Alcock. She delivers a fantastic performance that shows the character’s vulnerabilities and strengths. However, the movie around her is a mixed bag. It has some entertaining moments and a good soundtrack, but its weak script, messy action, and disappointing villain hold it back from being great.
Supergirl is currently playing in theaters worldwide.
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