Celebrating her 23rd birthday, Kara Zor-El (Supergirl) is drawn into a dangerous journey alongside a young woman seeking justice against the ruthless killer who destroyed her family.
Directed by Craig Gillespie who also principal for many other strong female focused leads including I, Tonya and Cruella, brings us the continued vision of James Gunn as we step further into the ‘Detective Comics Universe’ or ‘DCU’. Written by Ana Nogueira – who is currently in works with the new Wonder Woman film – brings us the second of the Universe’s reboot following on from the comparatively financially successful Superman (2025). Focusing here of course on Kara Zor-El as Supergirl, we dive further into her plight with her past demons, the background of her home planet Krypton and what was left behind after Kal-El was jettisoned to earth leaving his family behind several years before Kara was born. Alongside our heroine we also require the villain and in this world we are brought Krem of the Yellow Hills. Known in the comic books as a red bearded pirate; he has been given a radical makeover in the style of a facially studded Pinhead to create an apparently more menacing look.
As a superhero, Kara Zor-El has been with us in various comic, tv and film incarnations for almost 70 years. In terms of live action, Melissa Benoist probably became the most successful modern actress to portray the Girl of Steel, in the CW DC show Supergirl from 2015-2021. But, as time marches on, we inevitably need a new actress to step into those mighty red knee-high boots. With the DCEU reigniting our superheroes, we were all too briefly introduced to Sasha Calle as she stole the show in the 2023 The Flash, giving us another brave new although now sadly decaying world to sink our teeth into. Of course with the decline of the DCEU and the rise of the DCU, we are once again at the beginning of another world build and so Superman and Supergirl were reborn and recast. For this new start, neither films had to create a hurricane at the box office or with the critics, but at a minimum at least cause a positive stir; and this is where Supergirl sadly falls short.
Starring Milly Allcock as our titular character we are thrust into her chaotic world and her bachelorette pad under the red sun where alcohol for her is more effective; still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her loved ones and so clinging oh so tightly to her only companion, Krypto the dog. Left momentarily paralysed by Krem, played by Matthias Schoenaerts (Far from the Madding Crowd) Krypto has only a short period of time before his end of life. Also halted in her tracks by Krem, Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley must seek revenge after a traumatic experience leaves her no option other than to find someone to track him down. Once again, so far so good. We also have Jason Momoa as Lobo, who even though physically fits the role perfectly; for me unfortunately doesn’t bring depth to this character.
Unfortunately however, as good as Milly is in her endeavours of playing a lost at sea, reluctant superhero waiting for her cause, we are once again thrown into a world where the villains seem to have been written by AI; and in the most part appear to have no believable threat to our supernova star. What James Gunn has done well so far is to give Kara Zor-El her correct back story that Kal El never had to face. I shall not go into detail here as the reveal is quite enlightening to us; the masses. There is fun within the script and the fight sequences although pretty predictable they do have a lot of energy. There is however a lack of originality as this new world seems to be restricted to eventually creating a far bigger picture without this chapter giving us a complete and credible character arc. The comparison here is the incredible film The Dark Knight that takes us on a complete and unbelievably believable journey within a world that is mostly and bizarrely set in reality.
In depth background knowledge should not be required to enjoy an in-universe film like this. It should contain a complete story in its own right, yet at the same time reveal more of the world we are diving into. One of the main purposes of a large screen cinematic release is for the audience to suspend disbelief that we are viewing anything other than another creatively and believable formed world, place or time. We should be drawn in completely to the hero or heroine’s plight with the ‘will they, won’t they survive at the eleventh hour?’ Unfortunately here, we are once again doing the heavy lifting within our minds to give us this goal. Superhero films can sometimes be fallible with the likes of Madame Webb, though they can also be spectacular with the likes of The Dark Knight, leaving us wanting more as we leave.
Please James Gunn, don’t fire another blank shot, as Supergirl will not be my new Obsession.
As the film’s tagline goes, “Truth. Justice. Whatever”.
Author: Piers, Maidstone Store
