Supergirl Review: Should’ve Been an Origin Story

By Justin D Williams

Supergirl left me feeling conflicted because I could see a stronger movie buried underneath the one we got. The story follows Kara Zor-El on a personal journey shaped by loss, revenge, and self-discovery. Without getting into spoilers, this is not the bright, hopeful version of Supergirl that some viewers might expect. This Kara is wounded, angry, and still carrying the weight of everything she has lost. For me, the movie's strongest parts were the flashbacks. Those scenes felt like the film's true heart. Every time the story went back to Kara’s past, I felt more connected to her. That was where the emotion lived. That was where her pain made sense. That was where the movie felt like it had something meaningful to say about who Kara is and why she becomes the person we see in the present.

That is also why I kept thinking this should have been an origin movie. The flashbacks were so much more compelling than the main plot that I wanted the film to stay there. I wanted more time with Kara before everything changed. I wanted to see more of her home, her family, and the trauma that shaped her. Instead, the movie only gives us pieces of that story while pushing forward with a revenge-driven adventure that does not always feel as strong. The film also uses a very heavy topic as one of its main driving forces. I understand why it is included and how it is meant to make the villain and his actions feel even worse. My issue is that it comes across more like a plot device than something the movie truly explores. A subject that seriously needs more care and emotional weight. Here, it gives Kara a reason to act, but it does not always feel like the film knows how to handle the depth of that reason.

The villain is easily one of the movie's weakest parts. He feels generic, one-note, and honestly like one of the worst villains in recent DC memory. There is no real backstory, no depth, and nothing that makes him memorable. He is simply there to be hated. That can work in some stories, but in a movie dealing with pain, trauma, and revenge, the villain needed to be much stronger. Where Supergirl shines most is in the acting. Milly Alcock is great as Kara. She brings attitude, sadness, humor, and vulnerability to the role. Even when the story does not give her enough to work with, she still finds ways to make Kara interesting. She feels like someone who has been through a lot and is still figuring out what kind of hero she wants to become.

Jason Momoa is also a highlight. He brings a lot of energy and personality whenever he appears. He clearly understands the type of character he is playing, and he makes the most of every scene. The supporting cast is solid too, especially in the quieter moments where the movie slows down and lets the characters breathe. The action, however, was disappointing. For a Supergirl movie, I expected more power, more imagination, and more memorable set pieces. Keeping Kara depowered or limited for so much of the film makes it feel like the movie is constantly holding back. I understand the attempt to make the story more personal and grounded, but this is still Supergirl. I wanted to feel that scale more often. The final fight was good, though, and it was the one action scene where the movie finally started to deliver.

The score is good when the film actually lets us hear it. There are moments where the music adds emotion and gives Kara’s journey more weight. But the use of inserted songs during action scenes needs to stop. Not every fight needs a song placed over it. That style can work in certain movies, but I do not want it to become DC’s identity. Supergirl needed more of its own musical voice. The directing is okay. Some scenes work well, and there are moments where the movie shows personality. But the tone does not always come together. At times, it wants to be emotional. Other times, it wants to be funny, gritty, strange, and cosmic. Some of those elements work on their own, but as a full movie, the result feels uneven.

In the end, Supergirl is not a terrible movie, but it is frustrating. Milly Alcock proves she can carry this character, and the flashbacks suggest a much better story is waiting to be told. That is why I keep coming back to the same thought: this should have been an origin movie. Let us sit with Kara’s loss, her family, her pain, and her first steps toward becoming Supergirl. That story feels more powerful than the one we actually got.

FINAL SCORE

VIDEO REVIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP1-OLWRruQ