The second film in James Gunn’s new DC Universe, Supergirl, has soared into theaters. While the film features great performances, it struggles to break through overall.
The film follows Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock), as she teams up with a young woman named Ruthye seeking justice for the murder of her family. Originally titled Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the film draws inspiration from the comic book miniseries of the same name.
Alcock delivers an outstanding performance as Supergirl, embodying Kara’s strength and vulnerability stemming from her traumatic upbringing. Her character further serves as an interesting foil to David Corenswet’s Superman—who makes several appearances in the film—given that the Man of Steel wasn’t as deeply affected by the demise of their home planet, Krypton. Eve Ridley also gives a solid performance as Ruthye, the story’s driving force, and Krypto the Superdog remains a lovable addition to the DCU reboot thus far.
Ending his tenure as the King of Atlantis, Jason Momoa takes on a new DC Comics character for the big screen: the interstellar mercenary and bounty hunter Lobo. The anti-hero provides memorable comedic moments throughout, with Momoa perfectly capturing the character’s rebellious personality and dark humor. But as for the villainous Krem of the Yellowhills, played by Matthias Schoenaerts, the character lacks true emotional depth, as his motivations are never fully explored.
Supergirl’s final battle against Krem and his forces is energetic and action-packed, but is ultimately weakened by a needle drop that misses the mark. Instead of using the film’s original score, the climactic fight scene opts for a cover of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” by Kelty Greye and KidMotel. In an interview with Rolling Stone, director Craig Gillespie revealed that Gunn himself made the last-minute song selection. But instead of being “punk rock,” the music choice is a tonal mismatch.
That said, while Supergirl may not be a box office hit, it still makes for a decent superhero film and offers a promising portrayal of the beloved DC Comics character.
Supergirl is notably without any mid- or post-credits scenes; however, DC fans can look forward to Clayface, a body-horror film based on the comic book character, coming later this September.
Featured Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Taylor Graham is a student at Columbia University, majoring in Film and Media Studies with a minor in Political Science. She has reported for numerous publications, including the Valencia Voice, Glitter Magazine, and Heritage Radio Network, and is currently the 150th Arts and Culture Editor for the Columbia Daily Spectator, one of the oldest college newspapers in the nation. With a passion for storytelling in the digital age, Taylor covers all things entertainment, from film and television to media and pop culture, interviewing professional actors, musicians, and content creators alike. When she’s not writing her next film review or feature story on an emerging artist, Taylor can be found playing tennis, reading literary fiction, or thrift shopping in NYC.