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Analysis of the 2026 DC film *Supergirl* starring Milly Alcock

3 hours ago2 articles from 2 sources

Consensus Summary

The 2026 DC film *Supergirl*, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, received mixed reviews from ABC and The Guardian. Both sources agree on key elements: Jason Momoa as Lobo, Eve Ridley as Ruthye, and a plot involving the kidnapping of Supergirl’s dog Krypto. The film explores Supergirl’s origins on Krypton and her arrival on Earth, with David Krumholtz reprising his role as her father, Zor-El. However, the articles diverge sharply on tone and themes. The ABC criticizes the film for its bland script, disjointed editing, and missed opportunities to explore feminist or feminist themes, while The Guardian praises its clear storytelling and feminist moments, such as Ruthye teaching Lobo to escape prison. Both agree the film avoids the convoluted DC backstory seen in earlier films, but the ABC finds it dull and derivative, whereas The Guardian sees potential for the franchise. The film’s musical choices and pacing are also points of contention, with ABC lamenting a lack of creativity and Guardian focusing on its energetic approach.

āœ“ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • Milly Alcock stars as Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) in the film
  • Jason Momoa plays the bounty hunter Lobo in the movie
  • Eve Ridley portrays Ruthye Marye Knoll, a secondary protagonist
  • David Krumholtz plays Supergirl’s father, Zor-El
  • The film features a plot involving Krypto, Supergirl’s dog, being kidnapped
  • The movie references Supergirl’s origins on Krypton and her arrival on Earth
  • Craig Gillespie directed *Supergirl* (2026)
  • The film includes a scene where Supergirl’s dog Krypto is disabled and sidelined

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

ABC News
  • The film’s scriptwriter is Ana Nogueira, who originated the role of Eliza Schuyler in *Hamilton*
  • The article criticizes the film’s editing as overly fast-paced, comparing it to TikTok-friendly pacing
  • The film’s music choices are described as 'pop-punk and clunky,' lacking the impact of James Gunn’s work
  • The article mentions a 'Brat Summer' reference tied to Supergirl’s intergalactic pub crawl
  • The film’s plot is compared to *Mad Max: Fury Road* for its later story beats
  • The article highlights a 'Riot Grrrl track' suggestion as a missed opportunity for the soundtrack
  • The film’s protagonist is described as 'cynical' and 'apathetic,' with a 'drunken, disheveled' appearance
  • The article explicitly states the film’s release year as 2026, with a publication date of 2026-06-26
The Guardian
  • Matthias Schoenaerts plays Krem of the Yellow Hills, an intergalactic human trafficker
  • The film includes a feminist moment where Ruthye schools Lobo on prison escape techniques
  • Supergirl’s flight style is described as 'rising vertically up and down, one knee slightly bent,' not the classic horizontal mode
  • The article notes a cameo by David Corenswet as Superman in a 'caring big-brother mode'
  • The film’s plot involves avenging the death of Ruthye’s father at Krem’s hands
  • The article mentions a copyright concern over the term 'Supergirl' vs. 'Superman,' referencing Friedrich Nietzsche’s *Übermensch*
  • The film’s release year is implied to be 2026, with a publication date of 2026-06-24

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • The ABC article claims the film’s scriptwriter Ana Nogueira is 'relatively new to feature film writing,' while the Guardian does not mention her writing experience
  • The ABC article describes Supergirl’s costume as 'not figure-hugging,' while the Guardian explicitly states she 'isn’t required (yet) to model any figure-hugging costume,' implying a future possibility
  • The ABC article criticizes the film’s editing as 'dizzying' and 'butchered,' while the Guardian praises it for being 'sprightly and sparkling' without excessive backstory
  • The ABC article emphasizes the film’s failure to explore Supergirl’s feminist themes, while the Guardian highlights a 'clear feminist moment' involving Ruthye and Lobo
  • The ABC article describes the film’s tone as 'dull' and 'disappointing,' while the Guardian calls it a 'sprightlier and sparkier' superhero yarn

Source Articles

ABC

Supergirl shoots for the moon, but runs out of fuel

Australian Milly Alcock shines as Supergirl in the hero's first solo outing since 1984. If only the rest of the movie sparkled around her.

GUARDIAN

Supergirl review – sprightly and sparkling superhero yarn without the usual baffling DC backstory

Milly Alcock’s Supergirl joins with Eve Ridley’s Ruthye to fight an evil intergalactic human trafficker The sexual politics of perceived female maturity has always been a problem in this particular set of superhero films. Quite why Kara Zor-El gets to be a ā€œsupergirlā€ while Kal-El gets to be a ā€œsupermanā€, despite not being that much older, is not obvious. Even that notorious wokester Friedrich Nietzsche went with the non-gender term ā€œĆœbermenschā€. The issue is in fact pre-emptively raised here in