Written by The second film in James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe, Supergirl, arrived on Friday, June 26, to a distinctly chilly critical reception. The movie, which critics called middling to outright bad, has scored a rotten 56% score on RT (as of June 28, 2026), which is a downgrade from Superman‘s 83% score. The audience score is better at 77%.
Supergirl (2026)DetailsDirectorCraig GillespieWriterAna NogueiraProducersJames Gunn, Peter SafranCastMilly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa.Release DateJune 26, 2026RT Score (As on June 28, 2026)56% | 77%
Adapted from Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s acclaimed Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comics and directed by Craig Gillespie, the movie was supposed to be Kara’s grand entry into the DCU. Instead, critics found a movie that squanders a promising lead. While Milly Alcock is widely praised for her performance (Joshua Ryan from FandomWire has also commended Alcock’s performance), it couldn’t save the movie from its glaring flaws. Here are the critics’ major issues with the movie.
1. Supergirl Turned Out to Be an Unfaithful Adaptation
Milly Alcock in Supergirl | Credits: DC Studios/Warner Bros.
While the movie kept the skeleton of Tom King’s Woman of Tomorrow, critics didn’t approve of whatever deviations the movie took from its source material. Critics argue that the movie lost the soul of the comics along the way. King’s run was celebrated for its aching emotional depth, equally complemented by Bilquis Evely’s cosmic artwork.
Both these factors are exactly what the movie largely lacks. Or rather, the movie flattens out all of these critical elements. For a project handed such rich material, failing to capture what made the comic special struck many critics as one of the film’s greatest flaws.
2. Kara Is More Unfocused than Complicated
Milly Alcock in Supergirl | Credits: DC Studios/Warner Bros.
Supergirl sets up Kara Zor-El as a darker and more damaged figure than the wholesome icon fans expect. Critics are divided on whether that is a bold, creative choice or a critical flaw. The alternate Krypton origin, her drinking problem, and the self-destructive streak worked for some, while others found it rather messy.
According to critics, the movie keeps pushing the idea that Kara is a complex character without ever earning it in the story. Variety‘s Owen Glieberman wrote, “The character as written is so one-note that it’s hard to have much investment in what she’s up to.” Kara’s backstory isn’t properly established in what Tomris Laffly of RogerEbert.com calls “clumsily scattered flashbacks.”
3. The Movie’s Visuals Look Rough
Milly Alcock in Supergirl | Credits: DC Studios/Warner Bros.
Given a source famous for its gorgeous cosmic artwork, Supergirl’s visual flatness stung. Critics complained that the movie drowned in greys and browns, whereas the comic burst with colors. Another issue was that the movie failed to properly utilize its space-western setting, giving us a generic and uninspiring look.
The movie borrowed a few of its visual styles from acclaimed movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Mad Max: Fury Road, only to invite unflattering comparisons. Critics were harshest on the visuals of the third act of the movie, the CGI of which came out clumsily. David Gonzalez of The Cinematic Reel noted, “Third-act VFX so rough it makes The Flash look like Avatar.” It even undercut the climactic showdown between Supergirl and Krem.
4. Krem Is a Bland Villain
Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills in Supergirl | Credits: DC Studios/Warner Bros.
A superhero film lives or dies by its antagonist, and critics agreed that Krem of the Yellow Hills is where Supergirl is weakest. Matthias Schoenaerts‘s villain looked nothing like his comic-book counterpart, which was supposed to be a brilliant reimagination. Instead, the character drew comparisons to a forgettable background Guardians of the Galaxy alien.
He was generic in design and short on real villainy. Many critics called him a boring villain, including Variety’s Glieberman, who dismissed him as “an overly derivative Mad Max reject.” The villain’s looks provided none of the gravity that the role demanded. With a bland villain, the central conflict felt weightless, and the stakes never tightened towards the end.
5. A Shallow Script Brings Down Supergirl
Ana Nogueira’s script might be the root of all the problems with the movie. Some even went as far as to call it the worst script. While James Gunn’s DCU promised a rock-solid script for all of its movies, critics felt that the Supergirl plot was so thin, with some standout elements serving as the saving grace.
The movie is stuffed with action yet feels numbingly flat. The big ideas of the movie, including grief and revenge, didn’t work for many critics. They felt that the movie never commits to any of its themes. The script issues are especially worrying for DCU fans because Nogueira is tapped to write the DCU’s upcoming Wonder Woman and Teen Titans films.
Did you catch Supergirl in theaters? Do you think these criticisms are valid for the movie? Let us know in the comments below!
Supergirl opened in theaters on June 26, 2026.
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