It had been more than forty years since Supergirl last starred in a solo film, a time when Ronald Reagan presided over the United States and Christopher Reeve was the inseparable image of Superman, with comic book adaptations being a niche market. Even with a strong cast such as Peter O’Toole, Faye Dunaway and then-newcomer Helen Slater in the lead role, the 1984 version of the heroine failed to establish a lasting franchise.
More than four decades have passed, and Kara Zor-El’s character still finds herself in a complex situation. Her strong connection to Superman, one of pop culture’s greatest icons, has meant that previous screen adaptations, including a six-season television series on CBS and the CW, have faced challenges in presenting Supergirl as a unique figure rather than just a variation of her Kryptonian cousin.
The new production from Warner Bros. about Supergirl, the most recent interpretation of the heroine, uses this difficulty of definition as the central pillar of its narrative, seeking to offer a renewed perspective.
Milly Alcock embodies a Supergirl with new depth and inspiration
The film, directed by Craig Gillespie, draws its primary inspiration from the acclaimed graphic novel “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”, by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, released in 2021. It establishes Supergirl as a character who transcends the role of mere support for Superman. Although Kara Zor-El has the same powers as her cousin, her personality is marked by a sharp contrast to his optimism. Different life experiences and a profound personal tragedy shaped her into a heroine with unique characteristics and a different profile.
Kara Zor-El’s journey deepens with new mission and dilemmas
Actress Milly Alcock, known for her work on HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” reprises the role of Kara, following a brief appearance in the final moments of the previously released “Superman” film. On her 23rd birthday, while Kara and Krypto, her faithful super-powered dog, visit planets under red suns where they lose their abilities, she encounters Ruthye, a 13-year-old girl played by Eve Ridley. Ruthye seeks revenge on a space pirate for the murder of her family. As per the clichés of revenge narratives, Supergirl is drawn into the conflict after the pirate poisons Krypto and steals his spaceship.
Narrative conflicts compromise the potential of an intriguing story
Under the direction of Gillespie and with a script by Ana Nogueira, the film “Supergirl” begins with a remarkable first act, which expands the tonal and spatial boundaries of the recently established DC Cinematic Universe, consolidated in “Superman”. The plot unfolds as a balanced combination of revenge saga and coming-of-age narrative. Initially, the production appears to disregard the conventions of film franchises, opting for a more peculiar and introspective approach, presenting exciting glimpses of Kara’s childhood on a fragment of Krypton that survived the planet’s annihilation, but whose population succumbed to kryptonite poisoning.
However, as the story progresses to the expected confrontation in the third act, a significant portion of this unique identity is lost amid a noisy sequence of combats with excessive CGI and digital scenarios that prove confusing.
At various times, the impression is that the narrative vision of Gillespie, known for works such as “I, Tonya” and “Cruella”, clashes with the expectations imposed by the franchise format. This contradiction is particularly frustrating considering the original work had a singular voice and vibrant visual style. It’s hard not to lament the resemblance to a “Temu” version of “Guardians of the Galaxy” that manifests itself on screen.
Cameos of iconic characters and their implications in the DC universe
With regard to the different DC universes in cinema, a central figure from the old model established by Zack Snyder resurfaces in a new guise: Jason Momoa, known as the previous and future Aquaman, now plays the popular bounty hunter Lobo. Momoa delivers an undeniably entertaining performance as the sharp-toothed, pale-skinned, cigar-chomping biker, evoking the feeling that this would be the DC role he always wanted. However, its presence in the film seems less integrated into the main plot and more like a long teaser for a future production that has not yet been announced.
At the same time, David Corenswet, who takes on the mantle of Superman, appears in a significantly larger role than expected. Although he is not a co-protagonist, his role goes beyond that of a mere reference. The Man of Steel shares important moments with his Kryptonian cousin, including a humorous flashback that depicts Kara’s arrival on planet Earth.
Despite the challenges, Alcock’s performance stands out as the production’s most valuable asset. She infuses the character with vulnerability and melancholy, without ever neglecting her inherent decency, as Ruthye observes in one scene: “You’re not always nice, but you’re kind.” Supergirl played by Alcock needs to evolve to become the hero she is predestined to be, and, at the end of the show, it is precisely her performance, and not the grandiose and, at times, exaggerated visual effects, that leaves the most lasting impression on the audience.