Supergirl
Struggling to fly out of the shadow of Superman
25 Jun 2026 
Russ Matthews Zor-El finally steps into the spotlight. What follows is not another tale of a polished superhero discovering her powers, but a cosmic adventure about loss, revenge, anger, and the search for purpose in a universe that has already taken far too much from her.
Audiences were first introduced to Supergirl (Milly Alcock) in the closing moments of Superman (2025) as Clark Kent’s (David Corenswet) seemingly wayward cousin—a young woman who appeared more interested in recovering her missing dog than living up to her family’s heroic legacy. Supergirl pulls back the curtain on Kara Zor-El’s story, revealing a life that differs dramatically from that of her famous relative. While Superman’s journey has been shaped by hope and belonging on Earth, Kara carries the weight of a far more traumatic past, one that continues to influence every decision she makes.
As she celebrates her twenty-third birthday, Kara embarks on a journey across the galaxy with her loyal companion, Krypto. Along the way she encounters the young Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley), whose personal tragedy draws the Kryptonian into a dangerous mission fuelled by grief and revenge. What begins as a chance encounter quickly becomes an interstellar pursuit that forces Kara to confront questions of justice, vengeance, and identity. As enemies emerge and loyalties are tested, the young hero must decide whether she will be defined by the pain of her past or become something greater than it.
As we venture further into James Gunn’s reimagined DC Universe, audiences are being asked to look beyond the familiar trinity of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. With Supergirl, the challenge is introducing a lesser-known character while convincing audiences why she deserves a place alongside DC’s iconic heroes. Director Craig Gillespie (Dumb Money) appears determined to honour Gunn’s influence, blending the colourful cosmic energy of Guardians of the Galaxy with visual and thematic nods to Australia’s beloved Mad Max franchise. Yet despite the impressive budget, ambitious world-building, and striking visuals, Supergirl struggles to find its own identity or emerge from beneath Superman’s considerable shadow.
The film’s greatest weakness lies in its characterisation of Kara Zor-El. Positioning her as the opposite of Superman may have seemed like a fresh approach, but it ultimately leaves the character feeling difficult to connect with and surprisingly uninspiring. Milly Alcock does what she can with the material, but she is saddled with a screenplay that continually places her in frustrating situations designed to limit her abilities and prolong the plot. The supporting cast, including Jason Momoa, Eve Ridley, and Matthias Schoenaerts, are given little opportunity to elevate the story or provide the emotional depth and humour it desperately needs. While the visual effects are undeniably impressive and successfully capture the scale and spectacle of a galaxy-spanning adventure, they are not enough to lift the film above the shortcomings that plagued previous DC outings. A violent affair that struggles to find it’s place in the realm of superheroes. Audiences have longed for compelling female heroes, but unfortunately there is little about this version of Supergirl that inspires viewers to admire, emulate, or eagerly anticipate her next appearance.
Reel Dialogue: The world needs female heroes
One of the greatest disappointments of Supergirl is not simply that it struggles as a superhero film, but that it misses an opportunity to provide audiences with a genuinely inspiring female role model. As the father of three daughters and grandfather of four granddaughters, I believe strong women should be celebrated both on screen and in everyday life. Yet modern storytelling often falls into familiar traps. Female characters are frequently over-sexualised, stripped of their femininity, or written in ways that suggest strength can only be demonstrated through aggression and emotional detachment.
When filmmakers strike the right balance between courage, compassion, vulnerability, and power, audiences respond. Characters such as Wonder Woman and Black Widow resonate because they display strength without sacrificing their humanity. They remind us that true heroism is not merely about physical ability but about character.
It may surprise some people to discover that the Bible is filled with examples of remarkable women whose faith, courage, wisdom, and leadership changed the course of history. Rahab, Ruth, Deborah, Mary, and Priscilla each played significant roles in God’s unfolding story. These women were not celebrated because they acted like men, but because they faithfully embraced the unique calling God had given them.
Christianity has often been accused of diminishing women, yet Scripture consistently demonstrates the opposite. The Bible values women of strength, conviction, compassion, and influence. The world still needs female heroes—not simply powerful women, but women whose lives inspire others to pursue courage, integrity, and faith.
Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
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