James Gunn’s new DC cinematic universe continues to find its footing with Supergirl, a cosmic sci-fi spectacle that overcomes its predictable narrative beats through sheer imagination and vibrant world building.
Supergirl follows Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) as she leaves an Earth that never truly felt like home, struggling to find her place in the universe before teaming up with a young alien girl named Ruthye on a high-stakes, planet-hopping revenge mission across a treacherous galaxy.
As far as the story goes, the core narrative path here is somewhat generic. It relies heavily on standard space-western tropes and a straightforward revenge plot that you can map out from the opening frames. However, the film avoids feeling stale because every other element on screen works overtime to elevate the material.
The story uses its cosmic journey to dig into heavy underlying themes of profound loss, resilience, and the enduring strength of family bonds. We watch a young woman who has lost her entire world learn what it means to fend for herself in an incredibly dangerous universe. It is a classic coming-of-age trajectory wrapped in superhero foil, and while the plot surprises are few, the emotional beats land where they should.
The characters are engaging and written with just about enough depth to keep you fully invested in their survival. Kara is not just a female version of Superman here; she is a hardened survivor carrying immense trauma, contrasting beautifully with the innocence of her companion, Ruthye (Eve Ridley), who also serves as the film’s catalyst for character growth and development.
The film surrounds them with an incredible array of unique alien characters. The creature designs are fantastic, avoiding the generic sloppy CGI look that plagues so many modern blockbusters. Instead, the diverse denizens of this universe possess distinct personalities, making the world feel lived-in and ancient.
The performances across the board hit the mark, but the film ultimately lives and dies on the shoulders of its lead. Milly Alcock proves to be an excellent choice for Supergirl, perfectly balancing a cynical, battle-tested edge with a deeply buried sense of hope.
Alcock brings a fierce, expressive physicality to the role that makes you believe in Kara’s strength, ensuring she stands completely independent of the broader lore. The chemistry between the central cast members keeps the stakes grounded, even when the backdrop shifts between bizarre alien vistas.
Director Craig Gillespie brings an energetic style to the cosmos, leaning into a grand space opera aesthetic that frequently makes you feel like you have been thrown headfirst into a classic Star Wars film. His vision for the universe is vast, dirty, and stunning to look at.
Gillespie coordinates the action sequences with immense kinetic energy, creating thrilling, high-stakes set pieces. If there is a minor flaw, it is that some of the highly stylised visual effects feel somewhat overdone and oversaturated at times, occasionally threatening to overwhelm the live-action performances. Despite the visual noise, his direction ensures the film maintains a tone that is perfectly in line with the optimistic spirit established in last year’s Superman, making this a highly cohesive and welcome entry into James Gunn’s DC era.
Ultimately, Supergirl is an entertaining ride that evokes a sense of wonder, capturing the vast loneliness of space alongside the warmth of unexpected friendships. It successfully replaces the clinical feel of recent comic book movies with a tactile, sweeping atmosphere that demands to be seen on the big screen. It is fun, visually striking, and pushes the franchise forward with confidence.
Fun Fact
According to Milly Alcock, “My cape in this film was remade using material from the original Superman (1978) cape. Yeah, I think that they found there was like 16 meters of that material, so yeah, that’s in the back of my cape now.”
Supergirl Trailer
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