Rating:
Summary: The DC Universe expands with a heartfelt and personal "Superman" follow-up. "Supergirl" is an origin story that explores less about the history of Kara Zor-El, and more about the emotional origins of the superhero known as Supergirl. Recommended.
The fledgling DCU needs a strong follow-up to the well-received "Superman", and "Supergirl" is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
"Supergirl" takes place shortly after the events of 2025's "Superman". Clark Kent's cousin, Kara Zor-El, is on another bender, the excuse this time is it being her birthday week. Seeking a planet with a red sun where a yellow sun's instant healing properties aren't present to allow for a bender of all benders, Kara stumbles upon a mission of revenge that she must intervene to save a loved one.
It's a simple story that doesn't really expand upon the DCU, nor does it introduce any element that might hint at a larger "Avengers" type plotline, but as an origin story that focuses on just what it means to experience loss, what it means to find a new home, and what it means to be good, it's an effective story.
Milly Alcock stars, and she does a solid stint as the emotionally troubled Kara. I know there were grumbles (from the usual suspects) when she was cast, but I think she more than justifies her inclusion in the DCU, and as the "messy girl" foil to the perfect goody two-shoes Clark Kent.
Eve Ridley stars as Ruthye Marye Knoll, a young girl on the aforementioned mission of revenge, and she was fantastic in the film - bringing the kind of emotional pull that seasoned actors will struggle with, given the action-oriented nature of the film and the limited screentime she has.
Jason Momoa as the alien bounty hunter Lobo, in a somewhat superfluous role. I guess the main thing here is the nod to Aquaman, and providing some (limited) comic relief, but the film probably wouldn't have suffered any if the character wasn't included.
And Matthias Schoenaerts stars as Krem of the Yellow Hills, the Mad Max-style villain of the film - a somewhat one-dimensional, cookie-cutter villain, providing what the film needed as a bare minimum antagonist.
The action sequences, as you would expect from a superhero film in 2026, are great. The music features classic tracks that have also become kind of standard for superhero films, especially films made or inspired by James Gunn - the actual score itself was largely forgettable, missing the familiar themes that were present in Superman, without introducing any notable themes that might carry over to future DCU films.
All of the above might suggest this is another run-of-the-mill superhero film, and in some ways, this is correct. That's not a slight on the film, though - the standard of superhero films, including 2025's "Superman", has been high for quite a while now. I remember a time when superhero movies were all bad. Superman Returns. Green Lantern. Hulk. The misses just kept on coming. Then Nolan did his Batman films, followed by Iron Man and the MCU films, and we finally had some great superhero films. Our expectations were raised, and it kept on rising, and now the bar is so high that even a great movie feels "meh". And to me, that's an "us" problem, and not a problem with these films themselves. Yes, not all are exceptional, but do we need exceptional all the time?
If you look at all the individual elements, casting, acting, action sequences, music - they are all great without being exceptional, but perhaps what elevates "Supergirl" slightly is the emotional core at the heart of it. It's a film about dealing with loss, the anger and hopelessness that stem from that, and then coming to terms with finding closure, or in Kara's case, finding a new home. With glimpses of Krypton's tragic story intermittently inserted into the narrative, there's also something here for those who felt disappointed at "Superman's" lack of any backstory.
At the end of the day, "Supergirl" does everything right and has a little bit for everyone. It's a solid second movie entry into the DCU. Those seeking something exceptional will be disappointed, but if you go into it without unrealistic expectations, you'll definitely enjoy "Supergirl".
"Supergirl" is in Australian cinemas on 25 June 2026. Australian streaming release date: TBA
