This Supergirl 2026 movie review is a different take on the girl of steel. This event offered to American Express Platinum® and Centurion® members sold out in two theatres.
If you expect Supergirl to take place on Earth, it doesn’t.
This version of Supergirl is an unfamiliar take on the heroine. She begins as a pub-crawling party animal, traveling the galaxy with her superdog sidekick, Krypto. It’s a very different interpretation than audiences may expect, with most of the story unfolding across a colourful intergalactic community.
The film often feels like a cross between Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy, populated with an assortment of alien worlds and larger-than-life characters.
Meet Supergirl played by Australian actress Milly Alcock, best known for portraying Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon. Newcomer Eve Ridley, as Ruthye, proves herself to be a capable actress and convincing action heroine. Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts is virtually unrecognisable as Krem, the ruthless villain who murdered Ruthye’s family. Krem and his band of space pirates abduct young girls and force them into breeding in order to continue their male bloodline, making him an especially sinister and disturbing adversary.
Supergirl 2026 Movie Review: A Fresh Take on the Girl of Steel
The storyline that interested us the most was Kara Zor-El’s backstory. Unlike previous versions, this film spends time exploring her origins on Argo before she ever becomes Supergirl.
Planet Argo slowly poisoned by Kryptonite. claims the lives of its people. Kal-El (Clark Kent/Superman) whisked away in a pod as a baby and sent to Earth, years before Kara’s birth. Kara’s father, Zor-El, played by David Krumholtz, desperately searches for a way to save his family, while her mother, Alura, played by Emily Beecham, remains by his side. As the deadly poison spreads, Kara loses her mother along with countless others. Zor-El makes the heartbreaking decision to place Kara in a pod and send her to Earth to reunite with her cousin, Kal-El.
Supergirl’s misaligned characters
While the film offers a fresh take on Supergirl, not every character feels essential to the storyline. Superman’s appearances seem more like obligatory cameos than meaningful contributions. His brief appearance to welcome Kara after her arrival makes sense, but his “cameo” appearances don’t add much to the narrative and can feel distracting.
Jason Momoa also appears as the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo. While Momoa is clearly having fun with the role, the character feels underdeveloped and doesn’t significantly impact the storyline beyond providing another obstacle for Krem. More time devoted to Kara’s backstory would have been a better use of the film’s running time.
Supergirl’s Superdog Sidekick: Krypto, the Dog of Steel
The bond between Kara and Krypto also rooted in a touching backstory. Kara first meets Krypto during the funeral procession for her mother on Argo. The abandoned puppy is scavenging through a junkyard for scraps to eat when Kara takes him in, forging a friendship that lasts a lifetime.
What ultimately makes the film work is the bond between Kara and Krypto. Their relationship provides the story with its emotional heart, and Krypto’s unwavering loyalty adds genuine warmth to the adventure. When Krem targets Krypto with poison darts, the faithful superdog is left paralyzed and dying. With only three days to obtain the antidote or lose Krypto forever, Supergirl’s mission to find Krem becomes deeply personal. The race against time gives the film its emotional urgency and keeps the story moving toward its conclusion.
For more information about the film, visit the official site.