Early reactions to Supergirl are pointing to a film that looks far darker than many critics expected. Several viewers described a story with heavy emotion, harsh worlds, and a tone that feels closer to Mad Max than to a standard superhero adventure.
David Crow of Den of Geek called it “the superhero movie I’ve missed,” praising its straightforward, poignant approach and the way it frames Kara through Ruthye’s perspective. Peter Gray of the AU Review also highlighted the film’s mood, pointing to “surprisingly dark themes, MAD MAX vibes, and a JOHN WICK-style motivation.”
A surprise turn away from the usual superhero feel
That darker impression came up again in comments from freelance critic Mike Ryan, who said he had expected a “superhero space movie with needle drops” to feel more like Guardians of the Galaxy or even Superman. Instead, he said it “looks and plays more like a Mad Max movie,” with dirty worlds, gross villains, and a self-destructive hero.
The film’s lead performances are also drawing attention. Much of the praise has centered on Milly Alcock’s version of Supergirl and Jason Momoa’s Lobo, with critics describing Alcock as a strong fit for Kara’s party-girl energy.
Milly Alcock appears to be a major part of the appeal
Michael J. Lee of WeLiveEntertainment said, “Milly Alcock makes for an awesome Supergirl despite some of the script issues and an uninteresting villain. It still soars.” Even with those concerns, the performance has been singled out as one of the movie’s biggest strengths.
Germain Lussier of i09 offered another positive take, saying the film does not quite match the resonance of Superman but works as a companion and follow-up with “better characters and more complex relationships.” He also called it “incredibly emotional,” which, in his view, makes the action hit harder.
What audiences will get next
Supergirl is set to arrive in theaters on June 26, and the first reactions suggest a DC film that leans into emotion as much as spectacle. For now, the early consensus points to a movie that surprises with its intensity, even when critics disagree on how smoothly the story comes together.