Supergirl reviews have arrived, and while critics remain divided on the film itself, there is one point of near-universal agreement: Milly Alcock is a star. Craig Gillespie’s adaptation of Tom King’s acclaimed Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has earned a mixed-to-positive critical response, with reviewers praising Alcock’s emotionally complex portrayal of Kara Zor-El while debating whether the film’s ambitious ideas ultimately come together. For DC Studios, the reception represents both a victory and a challenge. Critics largely believe the studio has found its Supergirl, but not everyone is convinced it has found the perfect movie to introduce her.
Unlike Superman, who has traditionally been portrayed as an idealistic symbol of hope, Supergirl presents a far rougher and more emotionally scarred protagonist. The film follows Kara Zor-El as she embarks on a cosmic journey alongside the young Ruthye Marye Knoll, who seeks revenge against the man responsible for her father’s death. Their quest takes them across distant planets, dangerous outposts, and lawless corners of the galaxy, creating a story that blends science fiction, western influences, and coming-of-age drama. Along the way, audiences also meet Jason Momoa’s long-awaited version of Lobo, one of DC’s most popular antiheroes.
One of the most consistent observations across reviews is that Supergirl successfully establishes its own identity rather than living in Superman’s shadow. Critics praise the film for embracing a more unconventional tone, one that feels far removed from the bright optimism associated with Superman. Instead, Kara is portrayed as wounded, reckless, angry, and searching for purpose. Several reviewers argue that this willingness to explore a more complicated hero immediately separates the film from previous DC adaptations and gives the character a distinct voice within the growing DC Universe.
Writing for Variety, Owen Gleiberman praises the film’s ambition and willingness to take creative risks but argues that the execution is less consistent. His review suggests that while Supergirl often feels refreshingly different from traditional superhero films, it struggles to maintain momentum throughout its runtime. Gleiberman appreciates the world-building and larger ideas but finds the storytelling uneven, reflecting a sentiment that appears in several other reviews.
A more enthusiastic perspective comes from David Ehrlich of IndieWire, who embraces the film’s unusual structure and refusal to follow standard superhero conventions. Ehrlich argues that Supergirl benefits from its willingness to be strange, emotionally messy, and occasionally unpredictable. For him, the film succeeds because it treats Kara’s journey as something more personal than another battle between heroes and villains. His review views the adaptation’s commitment to the source material as one of its greatest strengths.
If there is one area where critics almost completely agree, it is Milly Alcock’s performance. Reviews from Variety, Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian, RogerEbert.com, and even several of the film’s harsher critics repeatedly single her out for praise. Alcock’s version of Kara is not simply a female Superman. She is vulnerable, rebellious, impulsive, and deeply damaged by the losses she has endured. Critics repeatedly praise the actress for bringing emotional depth to a character who could easily have become another generic superhero archetype.
Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney argues that Alcock carries much of the film on her shoulders. The review praises her ability to balance humor, grief, confidence, and insecurity, giving the film an emotional center that remains compelling even when the narrative loses focus. Several critics suggest that regardless of how audiences respond to the movie itself, Alcock’s future within the DC Universe feels secure.
The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw offers one of the more balanced assessments of the film. While appreciating its energy, visual style, and central performance, Bradshaw questions whether the story fully capitalizes on its strongest ideas. His review reflects the broader critical conversation surrounding Supergirl: admiration for its ambition combined with frustration over its uneven execution.
The supporting cast has also attracted considerable attention. Critics have responded positively to Eve Ridley’s portrayal of Ruthye, with many reviewers describing her chemistry with Alcock as one of the film’s greatest strengths. Their evolving relationship gives the story much of its emotional weight and provides a welcome contrast to the large-scale action sequences. Meanwhile, Jason Momoa’s debut as Lobo has emerged as one of the film’s most consistently praised elements. Even critics who are lukewarm on the movie itself acknowledge that Momoa brings charisma, energy, and unpredictability to the role.
However, the film’s ambitions have also become its biggest source of criticism. In her review for RogerEbert.com, Christy Lemire argues that Supergirl often struggles to translate its ideas into compelling drama. While praising Alcock’s commitment to the role, Lemire criticizes the screenplay’s handling of trauma and suggests that some emotional moments feel more manufactured than earned. Her review represents one of the more skeptical responses to the film and highlights concerns that appear elsewhere in the critical landscape.
Those concerns are echoed in Bilge Ebiri’s review for Vulture. While acknowledging that the film can be entertaining, visually imaginative, and occasionally exciting, Ebiri argues that it never fully comes together as a cohesive whole. The review praises individual scenes, performances, and ideas but ultimately concludes that the film’s strengths and weaknesses exist in almost equal measure. This “fun but frustrating” reaction has become a recurring theme among mixed reviews.
The screenplay has emerged as the most common target of criticism. Across multiple reviews, critics point to uneven pacing, episodic storytelling, and emotional beats that do not always land with the intended impact. Several reviewers argue that the film’s structure occasionally feels more like a series of interconnected adventures than a unified narrative. Others suggest that the villain remains underdeveloped compared to the attention given to Kara’s personal journey.
Another recurring criticism concerns the film’s climax. While many reviewers praise the first two acts for their distinct identity and character-driven storytelling, some argue that the final act drifts closer to familiar superhero territory. Critics who admired the film’s western influences and emotional focus occasionally express disappointment that the ending relies on more conventional genre expectations.
Despite these criticisms, many reviewers view Supergirl as an important step forward for DC Studios. The film demonstrates a willingness to embrace different tones, genres, and storytelling approaches within the larger DC Universe. Rather than simply replicating the formula that worked for Superman, the film attempts to carve out its own space. Not every critic believes the experiment is entirely successful, but many appreciate the effort.
The critical response to Supergirl reveals a film that inspires admiration and frustration in almost equal measure. Critics remain divided on the screenplay, pacing, and overall execution, but the consensus surrounding Milly Alcock is remarkably strong. For DC Studios, that may ultimately be the most important takeaway. While reviewers continue debating the film itself, they largely agree that Alcock has delivered a compelling, emotionally layered take on Kara Zor-El. Supergirl may not be the unanimous triumph DC hoped for, but many critics believe it succeeds at the one task that mattered most: convincing audiences that Supergirl deserves a major future in the DC Universe.
Film Details
Director: Craig Gillespie
Writer: Ana Nogueira
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely
Cast: Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Jason Momoa, Matthias Schoenaerts
Studio: DC Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre: Superhero, Science Fiction, Adventure
Release Date: June 26, 2026
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